Image from auro

It’s confession time.

I’m normally a health freak. I’m fanatical about getting enough fruits and vegetables (my fridge is stocked), I never skip a calcium supplement (we’re still in the prime time for building healthy bones), and I’m ready to try any new fitness fad (Zumba, anyone?).

And yet, today, I went to the beach and I sunburned myself into oblivion. I know it’s bad. I’ve read every skin protection magazine article out there, and yet, I can’t get my head around this one.  I love being outside. This is why I was the sunburned kid, and occasionally remain the sunburned adult. I love the pool, the beach, the summer.  When I’m out there in the sun, I have a hard time believing it can really be that bad.

Still, I know it is.  So how do we make this better?

Trick yourself a little. Use a makeup and lotion with SPF—you shouldn’t rely on it exclusively, but it’s an easy way to start out with some protection.  You can also try making sunscreen part of your makeup routine. Guys – sorry, can’t help you. Has anyone invented an aftershave with SPF? If not, someone should get on that.

Pack the sunscreen in the beach bag.  That’s where I went wrong today.  I actually put some on before I left home and then promptly forgot to reapply for several hours.  Ouch. I also tend to do better with the spray can than the lotion; it’s less of a time commitment. (As I reread that last sentence, I feel incredibly lazy, the sun must have affected my brain.)

Try other methods, an umbrella, a hat, or heading out in the early morning or late afternoon when you’re less likely to fry. 11 AM-3 PM is generally peak sunburn time. Even if you can’t bring yourself to regularly apply the SPF 45, doesn’t mean you can’t take other precautions.

And when you screw up like me, aloe is your best friend.  Apply that aloe gel to stop the burning and prevent the peeling.  Moisturize, drink water, and tell yourself you’ll do better tomorrow.