By the time you’re poking your skin wondering if your skin is burned…it is. I am sure you remember being a kid, testing your arm against your friend’s arm to see how long it took for the spot where your finger was to turn back to the same color as the rest of your skin.

Image: Newscom

You could get something like the UVSunSense Wristbands to monitor your sun exposure in a more scientific way. But besides that, and of course the consistent use of 30+ SPF sunscreen…what else do you need to know to make sure you are doing everything you can to reduce your risk of wrinkles – or worse – later down the road?

Well, there is no easy way to tell that you’re getting close to a burn, without actually burning. But there are several things you can keep in mind which will increase your chances of making it home from a day outside without an emergency pitstop at the drugstore for an extra large bottle of aloe lotion.

First, stop it with the lounging out on a beach towel at high noon. Depending on how fair your skin is, it can be a matter of minutes before you’ve already laid the foundations for a bright red sunburn. If you insist on tanning, go before 10am or after 3pm, when the sun is far less strong.

If it is a cloudy day, don’t think that’s an excuse for laying out all day. Clouds aren’t protecting you from the blazing hot sun that’s hiding behind it. Without the constant squinting and beads of sweat to remind you that it’s been a few hours already, it’s fair to say this is one of the most common causes for why people overestimate how much time they should be out in the sun.

Even if you are just hanging around, reapply your sunscreen every two hours. You don’t need to work up a sweat or jump in the water for sunscreen to wear off. If you truly want to do everything you can to keep from getting burned, it’s important to stick to this frequent schedule of reapplication.

But if you do decide to go in the water…beware of the reflection seriously amplifying the impact of the sun on your skin. Just like the clouds, the cool water can be deceiving when it comes to how much exposure your skin can tolerate. Make sure that sunscreen in your bag is waterproof and once again – don’t forget frequent reapplication.

So, how can you know when your skin has had enough? By erring on the safe side, following all the necessary precautions outlined above, and constantly keeping an eye on the clock and how your skin is feeling. A sunburn doesn’t have to be inevitable – it just takes a bit of work and the strength of mind when to know it’s time to call it a day and get back in the shade.

This post was sponsored by Neutrogena skinID™ – The only Personalized Acne Solution made just for you. Guaranteed Results or your money back.

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When Has Your Skin Had Enough Sun?

Ron Cummings, the creator of AmnioGenesis Skin Care has developed a list of five tips to live by in order to keep stress from affecting your face:

Get some sleep. Every stage of sleep is important for dissolving free radicals, which are a big reason for early signs of aging. The second stage of sleep is when hormone levels peak and cell repair starts.

Watch what you eat. Nourish yourself properly and it’s no surprise that you will see healthier skin. When you neglect your nutrition, it’s likely that you will start to see deficiencies in vitamins and essential fatty acids. This spells disaster for your skin by blocking it’s natural ability to heal and restore itself.

Cut the habit. You might feel a wave of relaxation for a few minutes while you inhale that cigarette or sip a martini, but that short term anxiety relief is no answer in the long run. Smoking uses up vitamin C in the body, which preserves skin collagen. Heavy drinking enlarges blood vessels and depletes that healthy glow we all want.

Scrub, scrub, scrub! Don’t neglect your face when you get stressed. Thoroughly cleanse your face to eliminate clogged pores and prevent accelerated signs of aging.”At the very least,” says Ron, “wash your face every night to remove embedded dirt, makeup, and other impurities accumulated throughout the day.”

Be sunscreen smart. A skin care cream with at least SPF 15 and broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection will help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and sun-damage – as well as prevent further damage. AmnioGenisis has a new product called Wrinkle Arrest which in addition to being recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology for it’s sun-protection benefits, is the perfect solution to pro-actively cut down on the damage your skin encounters daily from the sun.

Images: sxc.hu and Dermstore

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Watch Your Wallet…and Your Stress.

Specially formulated to promote natural skin repair and combat premature aging from sun damage, NutraShield™ is a big step forward for the company – beyond their “suncare roots”. The COPPERTONE NutraShield™ line includes a whopping SPF 70+ face lotion as well as SPF 70+ and 30 body lotions. Best of all, their new antioxidant rich products don’t come with a hefty price increase; Coppertone remains committed to providing “affordable skin care options” that just plain work.

From Mrs. Shields:

"I am excited to work with the COPPERTONE brand to help raise awareness on the need for year-round sun protection and the benefits of antioxidants in promoting natural skin repair." 

Seems like a nice match for both COPPERTONE and Brooke – there can never be enough to promote just how costly sun damage can be in the long run; it is wonderful to see increased efforts from COPPERTONE on this front.

Image: Bauer Griffin

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Brooke Shields For COPPERTONE’s New NutraShield™ Sunscreen Lotion