Sorry to throw shade at, well, shade, but a new study found that after spending 3.5 hours in the sun, 78 percent of people who used a beach umbrella alone for protection got burned, but only 25 percent of sunscreen users did. The moral? Be an anti-burn multitasker. Here's how:
Still envision mineral sunscreen as thick and pasty? Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide formulas have evolved way past their opaque forebears, are super gentle, protect better by creating a physical block on skin, last longer, and are better for the environment (a recent study found that oxybenzone, an ingredient in many chemical 'screens, can disrupt marine ecosystems and bleach coral reefs). We like Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen SPF 50 Mineral Lotion ($15, ulta.com).
Related: 4 Things You'd Never Guess Could Cause Skin Cancer—But Totally Can
One way to know you've had too much sun: The La Roche-Posay My UV Patch (laroche-posay.us for more info), a flexible Band-Aid-like skin sensor, monitors your exposure based on your skin tone. Then it tells you—through a phone app—when you should reapply sunscreen (beyond the typical every-two-hours rule) and when it's time to head inside. Sixty-three percent of users reported getting less sunburned than usual. Progress!
Watch a dermatologist explain the best way to protect your skin from the sun:
An old t-shirt doesn't cut it. Most white tees have a UPF—that's ultraviolet protection factor; it's like SPF for clothes—of only about seven. All the sarongs from Mott 50 ($98, mott50.com) have a UPF of 50 and are a staple in the beach bags of dermatologists and beauty editors because they're as chic as they are practical (we love the geometric and tropical patterns). Or slip on a dark-colored long-sleeved rash guard, many of which have a built-in UPF of around 50 (look for the distinction on the label).
Related: These Shoes Will Let You Stand For 12 Hours Straight—And Still Look Cute
So much irony: Due to their loose weave, typical floppy "sun hats" actually allow rays to peek through and sunburn your scalp. Instead, opt for a baseball cap or our new discovery, the tightly woven, wide-brimmed, UPF 40+ Hat Attack Bon Voyage hat ($96, hatattack.com), which blocks 98 percent of UV rays. Another way to protect your scalp? "Wear your hair slicked back without a part," says New York City derm Amy Wechsler, M.D.
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A pill rich in the antioxidant fern extract Polypodium leucotomos, like Heliocare ($28 for 60 capsules, amazon.com), "creates a safety net that helps guard against UV rays that might slip through the cracks of your SPF," says New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. On top of your regular sunscreen, pop one of these on days you're out and about, 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.
This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of Women's Health. For more great advice, pick up a copy of the issue on newsstands now!
