Tips for How to Keep Your Skin Safe In the Sun This Summer

Even before I was a mom, I was very strict about wearing sunscreen. And now that I am a mom, I am very strict about putting sunscreen on my children and teaching them about sun protection. I started teaching them about the importance of wearing sunscreen at an early age so they are very accustomed to putting it on before we even leave the house. The sooner you start the better, they will get used to it and won’t mind it as much!

Summer is all about having fun in the sun whether it’s spending the day at the beach, going to the pool, or playing at the park. We love to spend time outdoors as much as possible, but there are certain skin safety tips we follow to keep our skin safe from the hot summer sun.

Ever since my children were babies, I typically had them in some kind of sun hat to protect their face from the sun. They were so used to wearing hats, that almost all of my photos of them from 3 and under were of them wearing a hat of some kind! You can get really creative on what kind of hat your child wears, and to help keep it on, I recommend going to a store and having your child pick out the style and color they will want to wear!

No matter what outdoor fun you are having, there is always a place you can find for a shade break. We typically do shade breaks for 15 minutes for every hour we are in the sun. If we are on a hike, we sit under a tree for a water and snack break. If we are at the beach, we sit under the umbrella for a sun break. And if we are at the zoo, we find a place to sit inside and possibly even get some air conditioning to cool off!

I can’t emphasize this one enough! Staying hydrated is so important in the hot summer months. The sun can be very draining and can even cause dehydration and heat stroke, so taking frequent water breaks is vital for a fun day in the sun. As adults, it is recommended to drink eight 8-oz glasses of water a day. For children, many pediatricians recommend a child drink 8-oz for the number of their age. For example, a 5 year old should drink 40-oz a day or five 8oz glasses of water.

I always have sunscreen in my diaper bag and in the car. When we go play in the backyard, take a walk, go to the park, the beach, or the pool, the sunscreen goes on before we actually get in the sun. It’s all about routine prevention and early intervention. You have to get in the habit of putting sunscreen on before you reach your destination. If you wait until you get there, most children won’t want to sit still long enough for you to put it on and it may become a dreaded power struggle with some tantrums and tears.

This year we are using Blue Lizard mineral-based sunscreen. Born in Australia and now made in the USA Blue Lizard are made with Zinc Oxide, a dermatologist-recommended, pediatrician-trusted ingredient that provides physical sun protection for your skin. Plus, Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen is water-resistant and has broad spectrum coverage for both UVA and UVB protection. I love that their spray sunscreen does not contain any harmful airborne Titanium Dioxide and they’re made with Earth-friendly propellant and enriched with antioxidants and skin-nourishing botanicals.

I personally prefer Blue Lizard’s spray sunscreen for when you are trying to protect all over the body. It’s fast and simple and also rubs into the skin really easily so you aren’t left with white residue all over your body! If you prefer a tube, they have those as well. For the face, I love the stick sunscreen, which is perfect to use especially around the eyes, so the spray doesn’t get inside them. Plus, the stick is small and easy to fit into a pocket for a quick reapplication when you are out and about! They have different formulas for adults, children, and babies and are all SPF 50+!

Blue Lizard even has a sensitive skin sunscreen that is fragrance-free! It’s great for anyone with acne-prone skin, rosacea, or even eczema like me! And, Blue Lizard’s We Love The Reef sunscreens are made without Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, two chemicals thought to contribute to the destruction of our coral reefs! You can find Blue Lizard online or at Target, Walgreens, Walmart and select pharmacies nationwide.

#LatherOnTheLizard and #BlueLizardMomma