The sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are one of the main causes of skin cancer. The good news is that there are ways to protect your skin from the sun. If you worry about skin cancer because you spend a lot of time outside, you’ve come to the right place.

Read on to learn about how to protect your skin from the sun.

Use Sunscreen Every Day

The most common answer to how to protect your skin from the sun is by applying sunscreen every day. This includes the day when it is cloudy.

Ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer, but sunscreen can protect you from that. The two types of ultraviolet lights are ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA radiation can go through the glass while UVB radiation happens from direct sunlight.

The best sunblock you can use is a broad spectrum that protects against both radiation types. It should be water-resistant and have an SPF of 30 or more. This is important because it will protect from skin cancer while other sunscreen types won’t.

30 minutes before going outside, apply at least an ounce of sunscreen. You should reapply every two hours unless you are swimming or sweating. In these cases, you should be reapplying each hour.

Limit Sun Exposure

Even if you want to get a tan, it is important to limit sun exposure to avoid skin damage. Between 10 am and 4 pm, the sun is the most intense, so limit your time in the sun during these hours. As a general rule, if your shadow is shorter than you, it is probably best to find shade.

Check the UV Index

The UV index can be found on a weather app and should be checked before you decide to spend time outside. The scale measure how damaging exposure from the sun will be during a certain time of day. An index of 10 or more indicates that people should stay indoors.

Wear Sunglasses and Protective Clothing

If you are spending hours outside during the hottest part of the day, wearing sunglasses and other protective clothing is important. Darker clothing blocks the sun better than lighter clothing. You can also protect your body by wearing long sleeves, long pants, and a hat that shades your entire head.

When wearing sunglasses, ensure they have 99% or higher UV absorption. You can also find clothing that is made to protect you from the sun.

Buy a Bimini Top

If you spend the warm, sunny days out on the water, you definitely need protection from the sun. The best bimini tops will cover your boat while providing proper air circulation. Buying a bimini top will allow you to experience the thrill of boating without being blinded or burned by the sun.