Summer Sun Safety: 12 Ways to Protect Your Skin During A Heat Wave

Photos by Rhonda J. Wilson

I admit it. I'm a former floppy beach hat snob. Thooose types of accessories only serve to remedy a bad hair situation while possibly creating a new one, I thought. Plus, floppy hats look much better on celebrities trying to avoid the paparazzi. 

Before I left for my annual summer vacay in Lake Arrowhead, Calif., I spotted a hot pink hat on sale for under $10. For some reason, it called out my name in a major way. So I tried it on, and the rest is herstory. 

This hat has consumed my life. I wear it everywhere--sunbathing on the lake, buying groceries, hiking along the trails and watching the sunset from my deck. Not only does it look super chic, but it also helps shield my face from the harsh rays of the sun. 

Now that a heat wave has gripped the country, skin sun safety takes top priority. A floppy hat can provide protection during the peak summer months, but we still need to apply SPF to prevent dermal damage and premature aging.

Check out the latest sun shield superstars. They may not cool you off during a heat wave, but they'll help you look cooler for years to come by minimizing skin damage--and fine lines and wrinkles. Floppy beach hat optional!

SHINE: CellCeuticals PhotoDefense Color Radiance SPF 55+ (Tan). BEAUTY: Green tea leaf extract, peptides, hyaluronic acid and titanium dioxide balance your skin tone and protect against excessive sun exposure. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no artificial colorants or fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates or parabens.

SHINE: Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 50. BEAUTY: Prevent sun and free-radical damage with green tea leaf, lemon peel and grape seed extracts, and lavender oil. BEACON: Contains no artificial fragrances or colors. Championed joinFITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship). The Dermalogica Foundation also supports Everychild Foundation, Children’s Skin Disease Foundation and Our House.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Bright Skin Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen. BEAUTY: Stone crop, lactic acid, and vitamins A, C and E  calm irritated skin and safeguard yourself against excessive sun exposure. BEACON: No animal testing. The company plants one tree for each product sold through its Forests For the Future program.

SHINE: Garnier BB Cream Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector SPF 15 (Light/Medium). BEAUTY: Even skin tone, provide UVA/UVB protection and brighten your complexion with titanium dioxide, tinted mineral pigments, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Parent company L’Oréal partners with UNESCO to support For Women In Science.

SHINE: Kate Somerville Serum Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50. BEAUTY: Oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, aloe vera leaf juice, and vitamins A, C and E help prevent sunburn and support overall skin health. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of synthetic oil, parabens and alcohol.

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Brush On Sun Defense SPF 30 and Facial Moisturizer SPF 40. BEAUTY: These mineral formulas--silky powder and cream lotion--provide sun and antioxidant protection with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, sea kelp and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Lift Perfection SPF 20. BEAUTY: Octinoxate, oxybenzone, peptides and pomegranate extract help counter aging and environmental damage. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, artificial colors or fragrances. 

SHINE: Organoderm by Dr. Domanskis Day Cream SPF 30+. BEAUTY: Protect and nourish your skin with avobenzone, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E. BEACON: USDA organic certified. Vegan and cruelty free.

SHINE: Sanítas Skincare Solar Block. BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, plankton extract, vitamins C and E, and hyaluronic acid help safeguard your skin against ultraviolet rays. BEACON: Contains no parabens or preservatives. Supports the Cinderella Foundation. 

SHINE: SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50. BEAUTY: Prevent overexposure to the sun with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and vitamin E. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports the Melanoma Research Alliance.

SHINE: Somme Institute Double Defense. BEAUTY: Vitamin E, SPF 30 and aloe vera extract shield your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Susan Posnick Brush On Block SPF 30. BEAUTY: This mineral powder sunscreen stops sunburn with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and chamomile flower and green tea extracts. BEACON: Supports Linking the World. 



Roxy the Rescue Dog cools off by playing fetch 
along the shoreline.