Sunlight is beautiful, illuminating, warm, and even offers Vitamin D but too much of it can be bad. Excessive sunlight can not only cause sunburn but may lead to premature wrinkles and could put you at risk of skin cancer.

How To Be Sun Ready When Travelling?

It might be easier to shield yourself from excessive sunlight when you are in your hometown, but things get a little dicey when you are traveling. The following are a few tips to help you stay sun-ready for the road.

Sunscreen Can Help

Sun damage could happen in about 15 minutes if you are not protected. You need to make sure you apply sunscreen that is SPF 15 or better. Keep in mind that this sunscreen should be applied every two hours for optimal effectiveness. Reapplying the sunscreen often is encouraged if you are sweating excessively.

Buy a number of bottles that you can take on your trip, or make sure your route is near stores where you can restock as necessary. It may be a good idea to know a few natural alternatives, like olive oil, coconut oil, or even lard if you are in areas where stores are scarce. Aloe vera is also known to offer limited sun protection.

Natural alternatives can hold you over until you are able to purchase sunscreen.

Use Shade and Light Fabrics

Learn how to use the shade in your favor. This means seeking shade whenever possible so that you aren’t exposed to UV rays too long. You can look for trees or canopies to stay under. You can also carry your own shade, such as an umbrella or a hat with a large brim to give your face shade.

Be sure to invest in good UV-safe sunglasses that can help keep your eyes healthy during your trip. You also want to wear long-sleeved shirts when the sun is hot or if you know you are not going to be able to avoid the sun for some time.

Pack loose clothes if you know you are going to be in a humid area to help you stay as cool as possible. A few fabrics to consider are silk or linen, which are great in the summer for different reasons; for example, they both allow free air flow, keeping you cool. Another reason you may want to stick to fabrics like these is that they do not cling to the skin, which helps keep the fabric dry and cool.

Think of Your Gear

The next thing you want to pay attention to is your traveling gear. There are a lot of items in your arsenal that can keep you and your companions safe from UV damage, such as shade mesh covers for your car. These not only give you added shade but also shield UV rays.

The same train of thought needs to be applied to other items you will be using during your travels. According to the article Best Beach Tent of 2019: Complete Reviews with Comparison, it is important to get the right beach tent in order to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which is a great tip if you’re going on a summer beach trip.

Know Ahead of Time

Another good idea to stay sun-ready as you travel is to know what kind of weather you are going to be hitting. Try to avoid hot weeks or months, and travel when the temperature will not be extreme.

You should avoid driving or being out when the sun is hottest during the day. The time you want to avoid is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the UV rays are strongest. Plan activities that can be done indoors around those times.

Troubling Sunlight

Remember that too much sun can also lead to other issues that you should be aware of, such as heat cramps. One thing you can do to keep yourself safe from heat-related health issues is to simply drink enough water throughout the day. Another thing you can do before heading out is ensuring that your AC system is optimized to help keep you cool.

A heat stroke is also a possibility if the area you are heading to is too hot. Learn symptoms of this condition, like confusion, loss of coordination, headaches, and some may even experience the urge to vomit. These kinds of symptoms need to be taken seriously, so make sure you go to the nearest doctor if you need to.

ALSO READ: 5 Easy Steps to avoid Sunburn during Summer

As you can see, being sun-ready is not too hard as long as you prepare. Your travels can be safe for your skin, your health, and you’ll still be having the time of our life.