ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Planning on spending more time in the sun before the end of summer? While a little bit of sun exposure can be good for your health, too much can put you at risk for skin cancer and premature aging.
Summertime means fun in the sun … but don’t forget to protect your skin with sunscreen! The environmental working group says avoid sprays. They cloud the air with tiny particles that might not be safe to breathe in. Try creams instead. Also, stay away from a chemical called oxybenzone which could disrupt the hormone system. Look for alternative products that contain zinc oxide, avobenzone, or mexoryl sx. Also, don’t buy sunscreens that also have a bug repellent in them. It’s best to use these separately and apply the bug repellent first. Make sure you’re using enough sunscreen. The American academy of dermatology says most adults need at least one ounce, or about the amount you can hold in your palm, to cover their bodies. Be sure to re-apply at least every two hours. And if you’re going to be in the sun for a long time, don’t rely on make-ups and moisturizers with added sunscreen unless they provide broad spectrum coverage.
One more tip: make sure you apply your sunscreen before going outdoors. It takes about 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the product.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Roque Correa, Videographer and Editor.
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