Beach vacations are popular for a reason: they’re simply awesome. Traveling to see new places is enriching and mind-opening, but sometimes all you really need to lie on a beach chair with a book and get a fair dose of vitamin D. Now, we’re all for that! But if you don’t take the necessary precautions, beach vacations can also be your skin’s mortal enemy. It’s not even the short-term damages like getting sunburnt and going through a few days of soreness and chapped skin. The real risks are long-term, and it’s important that you do your best to minimize them in the present. So, what are three skin-protecting actions you should take on your nearest beach vacay?
Wear Sunscreen
You know how the famous song goes, right? So, it’s not only that “everybody’s free to wear sunscreen”, everybody has to wear sunscreen. Choose a reliable brand with at least 30 SPF and make sure to reapply every two hours.
Wear a Hat
Protecting your face and scalp from the sun is extremely important, and with bucket hats back in fashion, it shouldn’t be too hard to do. But if you’re not into that trend, a plain-old cap or a stylish wide brim will do just fine.
Drink Plenty of Water
Not orange juice, not diet coke, and not piña colada—water. The recommended amount of water you should consume when you spend a few straight hours in the sun is one glass of water every 20 minutes or so. You got this!