Here at The Klog, we take sun protection very seriously. Yesterday, we detailed how to detect signs of skin cancer on yourself. Now, we’re giving you a guide to protecting those awkward areas – like your scalp and feet – against sun damage.
Do you wear sunscreen every day? If you do, I’m sending you a virtual high five! You still might be skipping some areas during your daily routine, though. I know because I often forget them, too. Read on for the areas people commonly miss when applying SPF and the best products to get the job done.
Eyes
Sunglasses are a great solution for keeping your delicate eye area protected from harmful UV rays. Look for frames that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. It’s also okay to use your face sunscreen around your eyes as long as you avoid getting it in them. If your eyes are especially sensitive, I’d suggest picking up a sunscreen that’s formulated especially for the eye area like the Supergoop Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 37. This handy eye cream will smooth fine lines and wrinkles while keeping the area protected.
Hair and Scalp
I don’t know if you know this but the sun can actually fry your hair leaving it looking dry and lifeless. Usually, when we think about sun protection, the last thing we remember is our hair or our scalp. But, in fact, it’s integral to skin health as skin cancer can develop on the scalp. You could pop on a hat and keep your strands protected but we know a hat isn’t always the answer.
The British M Organics Annatto Oil can help remedy that. This fast-absorbing hair oil provides moisture without weighing your hair down. It’s formulated with a blend of organic pumpkin seed and argan oil to nourish and strengthen dry strands. It makes a great sun protector as the oils coat and protect your strands from UV damage leaving you with softer, shinier hair.
Another option is to use a brush-on mineral powder sunscreen like this one from Colorescience. You can brush it onto your scalp without messing up your hair, can easily reapply, and it will even help absorb oil.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gone out on a beautiful summer day slathered in sunscreen just to get home and realize I completely forgot to put sunscreen on my feet. This, my friends, equals awful tan lines and unnecessary sun exposure. My number one tip is to apply your sunscreen before you get dressed so you don’t forget any spots. For your feet, I’d suggest sticking with a lightweight sunscreen like the Sun Project Light Sun Essence by Thank You Farmer.
Hands
Just because you’re touching sunscreen with your hands while applying does not mean you should skip out on applying all around your hands. Work any leftover sunscreen onto the back of your hands at the end of your application. And don’t forget to apply in-between your fingers!
Ears
Skin care has always been one of those disciplines where it’s all about protecting your face and your neck. But, your delicate ears are just as important when it comes to sun protection. Yes, your hair may cover them most of the time but you should still give them the attention they deserve. You can easily do this by remembering to create a habit of applying sunscreen on your ears at the same time as your face. Over time, this will become second nature!
To reapply, we love the Tony Moly Tako Pore Sebum Sun stick. It’s tiny and mess-free, so it’s good for smaller areas, plus you can throw it in your bag and layer it anywhere you need it on the go.
I know so many people who are diligent about sun protection but forget all about their lips. It’s important to protect your lips as they are equally as prone to sun damage. An easy way to incorporate lip protection in your routine is with an SPF-enhanced lip balm. The Missha Essential Care Lip Treatment contains SPF 15 to protect as well as hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and soften. You can pop this lip balm into your bag and take it on the go for easy re-application and protection.
Bottom Line
It’s not just the larger areas of your body that are susceptible to sun damage. Exposure to UV rays anywhere on your body not only ages you faster, but can cause skin cancer. You can avoid this by applying your sun protection ALL over.
