A Prepper's Guide to Sun-Dodging: How to Outsmart UV Rays and Fake A Tan
 

As summer approaches, we eagerly anticipate sunny days and outdoor adventures. However, while basking in the sun’s warmth, it’s crucial to remember the potential harm UV rays can inflict on our skin and hair. Here’s a comprehensive guide to protecting yourself effectively, using products tailored for specific needs and ensuring maximum protection and comfort.

The Importance of Sun Protection
I consider myself one of the more notorious when it comes to being cautious about sun exposure. A dedicated summer prepper, you might say. From a young age, I was warned about wrinkles and unsightly pigment spots caused by the sun, which scared me disproportionately, embarrassingly enough. Additionally, I burn easily due to my very fair skin. Beyond vanity, the increasing prevalence of skin cancer is a compelling reason to be cautious.

Sun Avoidance and Protective Clothing
As a true prepper, my first line of defense is to avoid direct sunlight for extended periods whenever possible, especially when the sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If this isn't feasible, I opt for covering clothing and a sun hat.

Embrace the Sun-Kissed Look Safely
For those who avoid the sun, achieving a natural tan might seem impossible. But even a pale-skinned person like me sometimes wants to look sun-kissed and summer-fresh, especially in swimwear. Here are some top products to help you achieve a radiant glow without sun exposure:

Hawaiian Tropic Self Tan Ultra Dark
This product delivers a fresh olive tan even on the palest skin in just an hour. Leaving it on longer results in a deeper tan. I use this year-round for events when I want to look extra fresh, as a bit of color effectively conceals minor skin imperfections. During the summer, being pre-tanned can reduce the temptation to sunbathe excessively.

Ida Warg Cocoa Self-Tanning Mousse
This newly launched, 100% vegan product boasts a delightful cocoa and vanilla scent. Its innovative formula includes color from cocoa shells, making it hydrating and easy to apply. It dries quickly, offering a smooth, sun-kissed finish with full results in eight hours. The cocoa shells provide a natural guide color for simpler application, and the DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) ensures a long-lasting tan without the typical self-tanner odor.

Essential Sun Protection Products

EVY Technology Daily Defence Face Mousse SPF 50
When it comes to facial protection, EVY Technology Daily Defence Face Mousse SPF 50 stands out. This unique skincare technology, fortified with active ingredients, offers prolonged defense against UV radiation and free radicals, including those emanating from electronic screens. Its intensely hydrating formula ensures the skin retains its natural moisture without leaving a white cast or clogging pores.

Emma S. Hydrating Sun Protection SPF 50+
This is a hydrating and extra water-resistant body sunscreen that provides your skin with very high and broad-spectrum protection. Hydrating Sun Protection has a comfortable feel on the skin and is easily absorbed. The formulation contains Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, and Vitamin E, which work together to moisturize your skin and protect against free radicals.

ACO Sun Soft Lips SPF 25
Not only does this product protect our delicate lips from the sun, but it also hydrates them and adds a lovely pink shimmer.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
It’s easy to forget that hair can also be damaged by the sun. This lightweight spray protects hair color from fading and prevents damage and dryness for up to 16 hours. UVA/UVB filters derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils shield hair from sun damage. Spray in thin layers to avoid stickiness and reapply throughout the day for the best protection.

Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance-Free Face Sunscreen Mist
What do you do when you've applied your base sunscreen and finished your makeup? Reapplying sunscreen can ruin your look. This gentle sunscreen face mist solves that problem. It absorbs quickly, and has an invisible finish once dried, making it perfect for use over makeup. The fragrance-free formula nourishes and hydrates the skin for up to 72 hours.
 

Final Tips
Remember, effective sun protection requires a combination of methods: avoiding peak sunlight hours, wearing protective clothing, and using high-quality sun protection products. Whether you have fair or melanin-rich skin, taking these precautions will help you enjoy the summer safely and stylishly. Protect yourself, and don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen!

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Elva Ahlbin, Beuty Editor