love the sun - but respect your skin

Sun protection keeps your skin looking its very best. Just remember that the harmful effects of UV rays build up over time, so it is important to make suncare a part of your daily routine.

let's talk sun intensity

The sun is at its hottest and most intense between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The best advice is to limit your sun exposure during those hours, but at the very least use a trusted sunscreen like Hawaiian Tropic® if you're spending time in the sun. Of course, spending some of that time in the shade always helps.

here’s how to apply

1. Apply your sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. Don’t forget to cover your ears, knees, calves, elbows and the tops of your feet.
2. For lotions - Apply a golf-ball size portion to cover your legs and arms, and a teaspoon size portion to cover your face, ears, and neck. Adjust accordingly for your torso.
3. For sprays – Hold 4 to 6 inches away from your skin to get the right coverage. Do not apply directly onto face, spray onto hands and then apply to face

reapply often, at least every two hours

Sweating, swimming, and towel drying can remove sunscreen from your skin's surface, so be sure to reapply and lather up as needed.

geographically speaking

As you might imagine, the sun's rays are more intense in tropical and semi-tropical locations because exposure becomes more direct as you get closer to the equator. Intensity is also higher when YOU go higher - at higher elevations, the atmosphere is a lot thinner so extra protection for skin and eyes is a must. Bottom line: go for a higher SPF in tropical locales and higher elevations.

did you know?

You can still get burned even when wearing a hat or sitting in the shade? It's all about reflection - surfaces like water, sand, snow, and pavement all reflect the sun and intensify the exposure.

summer heat

As you might guess, UVB rays are stronger in the summer - while UVA remains pretty much constant throughout the year. This is why it’s important to choose a higher SPF during the summer months. But keep in mind that daily application is key to thwarting the aging effects of UVA rays, which can cause damage slowly over time.

cloudy or hazy days?

Yes, UV rays can penetrate the atmosphere (clouds and all) and cause sunburn - so once again, don't forget the sunscreen.

medical tip

Many medications, including certain antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and antidepressants, can cause photosensitive reactions when you're exposed to sunlight. Unusual "sunburn", rash or other allergic-type reaction to the skin is possible, so be careful. Individual sensitivities vary widely and may not happen to everybody, every time. It's best to consult your physician or pharmacist before sun exposure when using ANY medication.