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Some of the most important actions you can take for your health don't require a doctor's visit or a complicated plan. Taking care of your skin is one of them. Your skin works around the clock to protect you from the sun, help regulate your temperature, fight off germs, and even support your body's ability to make vitamin D.
What Your Skin Actually Does
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. In adults, it covers about 1.5 to 2 square meters — roughly the size of a small table — and makes up about one-seventh of your total body weight.
On any given day, your skin is doing several important jobs at once. It blocks harmful bacteria, chemicals, and UV rays from entering your body, regulates temperature through sweat and blood flow, and transmits signals of touch, pain, warmth, and cold to your brain.
Sun Protection in Summer
Summer brings more time outdoors — and with it, increased exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays are invisible, yet they can cause lasting damage to your skin over time. They are the primary cause of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and most cases are directly linked to UV exposure.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
When selecting a sunscreen, look for three things on the label:
- Broad-spectrum — protects against both UVA and UVB rays
- SPF 30 or higher — blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays
- Water-resistant — especially important during outdoor activities, swimming, or periods of heavy sweating
- Seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are at their strongest
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face, ears, and neck
- Choosing tightly woven, dark-colored clothing for an extended time in the sun
- Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses to protect both your eyes and the skin around them
