Everyone loves the glow of a fresh springtime tan, but it's important to remember that it is possible to get too much sun! Before stepping out into the beautiful spring sunlight, find out why sunscreen is the essential beauty product of every season.

While you’re out enjoying a gorgeous spring day, the sun is emitting two types of invisible rays: ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B). These potentially harmful rays are strongest during the summer from 10a.m. until 2p.m., but even on a cloudy spring day, UV rays can cause both short- and long-term skin damage, ranging from sunburn to skin cancer.
While we may not be concerned with a little sunburn here or there, neglecting over-exposure to the sun is a serious concern that the youth of today will be facing in twenty or so years. If this constant unprotected sun exposure continues, the beautiful young ladies of today will become the tire-tough, leather-faced women of tomorrow.   Wrinkles, large freckles (age spots), scaly growths, and dilated blood vessels are directly related to over-exposure to the sun as well.
Not only are the aforementioned results nasty, but the American Academy of Dermatology reported that more than ninety percent of all skin cancers occur on sun-exposed skin. The face, neck, ears, forearms, and hands are the most common places it appears. This is why sunscreen is our must-have this season!

1. Wear a daily moisturizer with a built-in sunscreen of at least SPF15.

2. Choose an SPF and sunscreen type that fits your specific outdoor activity's need.

For example, if you're going to be playing in an all-day beach volleyball tournament, you should opt for a “Broad-Spectrum” sunscreen, which helps block both UV-A and UV-B rays, that is sweat-proof, water-poof, and has an SPF of 30 or higher. The same applies for a day of tanning on the beach. Remember, just because you're wearing sunscreen doesn't mean you won't get a tan!

3.  Apply sunscreen 20 minutes prior to going outside and re-apply every two-hours, especially after swimming or participating in strenuous activities.

4. If all else fails, cover up! 

Wearing wide-brimmed hats, large sunglasses, and loose-fitting clothing is a great way to avoid over-exposure to the sun all together.