July is UV Safety Month and a great reminder to give your summer essentials a quick reset. Hot weather and long days make sun protection, UV protection, hydration, and staying cool particularly important this time of year.
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SPF vs. UV Protection
The terms sun protection factor (SPF) and ultraviolet (UV) protection are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same thing. When it comes to sun safety. UV radiation is generally broken down into two types: UVA and UVB rays.
UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and contribute to premature skin aging and skin cancer risk. UVB rays are most commonly associated with sunburns, though they also contribute to skin cancer risk. Both types of UV radiation can damage the skin over time, making protection against both very important.
SPF is used to indicate the level of protection a sunscreen provides. When selecting a sunscreen, it’s important to look for products labeled broad-spectrum, which means they are designed to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
UV protection, then, extends beyond sunscreen alone. Sunglasses, protective clothing, shade, and other sun safety tools are all summer essentials that help reduce UV exposure and protect the body.
Building Your SPF Routine
Sunscreen is one of the simplest ways to help protect your skin from UV damage and there are more options available today than ever before. Mixing and matching these summer essentials based on your needs and preferences can make sun protection easier to maintain throughout the warmer months and beyond.
Body Sunscreen
Body sunscreen is often what first comes to mind when we think about SPF, but it’s important to remember that sunscreen shouldn’t be reserved for vacations and days on the beach or by the pool. Spending time outdoors, running errands, gardening, or even driving can all contribute to UV exposure over time.
When applying body sunscreen, don’t forget commonly overlooked areas like your ears, shoulders, the back of your neck, the tops of your feet when wearing sandals, and the backs of your hands. Giving these areas a little extra attention can go a long way when it comes to staying protected.
Facial Sunscreen
Face-friendly sunscreen has come a long way in recent years, with lightweight lotions, mineral formulas, tinted options, and products designed specifically for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Finding a formula that works well with your skincare routine and sensory preferences makes daily SPF feel like a fairly effortless addition to your morning routine.
SPF Lip Balm
Lips are one of the easiest areas to forget when it comes to sun protection, but they’re just as susceptible to UV damage and sunburn as the rest of your skin. SPF lip balm is an effortless addition to your routine and one of the easiest products to toss into a purse, backpack, or beach bag for reapplication throughout the day.
Sunscreen Powder
A sunscreen powder is particularly useful for touching up your SPF throughout the day, especially if you’re wearing makeup or prefer not to reapply traditional sunscreens multiple times. Many powder sunscreens can also be applied along your scalp and hair part, making them a convenient option for protecting areas that can be difficult to reach with traditional sunscreen products.
UV Detection Stickers
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to SPF-focused summer essentials is remembering when it’s time to reapply your sunscreen. UV detection stickers are designed to help take the guesswork out of the process by changing color to indicate when it’s time for another application of sunscreen. Simply apply your sunscreen directly over the sticker and wear it throughout the day.
Thank you to SpotMyUV for sending a pack of their UV detection stickers my way!
These stickers are particularly helpful for busy summer days and can serve as an excellent visual reminder when spending time outdoors, especially if you struggle with time blindness. I love anything that makes healthy habits easier to maintain without requiring extra mental energy or guesswork!
UV Protection
UV protection doesn’t stop once you’ve applied your sunscreen. Incorporating a few additional layers of protection throughout the day can help further reduce UV exposure and make spending time outdoors a little more comfortable.
UV-Protective Sunglasses
Sunglasses are one of the easiest ways to protect your eyes from UV radiation while spending time outdoors. In addition to helping reduce UV exposure, they can also provide welcome relief from bright sunlight and glare during the summer months. UV protection should always be clearly indicated on the product’s packaging or description when you’re shopping for sunglasses. Our friends at Zenni offer 100% UVA & UVB protection in their sunglass lenses!
UV-Protective Hair Products
Hair doesn’t always make it onto these checklists of summer essentials, but it deserves a little extra love during the warmer months, too! Prolonged sun exposure can contribute to dryness, fading, and damage over time, particularly for color-treated hair.
UV-protective hair products like leave-in conditioners can help provide an extra layer of protection while spending time outdoors. They’re an easy addition to an existing hair care routine and are becoming increasingly common as awareness around UV protection continues to grow.
UV-Protective Clothing
Protective clothing is another simple way to reduce UV exposure during the summer months. Wide-brimmed hats, UPF clothing, lightweight cover-ups, and umbrellas can all help provide additional protection when spending time outdoors. These products can be particularly helpful on days when reapplying sunscreen feels inconvenient or when you’ll be spending extended periods of time in direct sunlight.
When in doubt, seeking shade whenever possible can also make a significant difference, especially during peak UV hours!
Summer Essentials for Staying Cool
Staying cool can be just as important as protecting your skin from the sun, particularly during periods of extreme heat or when spending time outdoors. For many spoonies especially, warmer temperatures can bring their own unique challenges: heat intolerance, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and dehydration can all become more difficult to manage during the summer months.
Portable Fans
Small handheld or neck fans are lightweight, hands-free, rechargeable, and easy to toss into a bag before heading out for the day. They’re particularly helpful for outdoor events, walks around the neighborhood, or really anywhere. You can even find personal misting fans!
Cooling Towels
Cooling towels are summer essentials that are well worth keeping on hand. Simply wet the towel, wring it out, and place it around your neck or shoulders for an easy way to cool down throughout the day. They’re compact, inexpensive, and reusable, making them an excellent addition to a beach bag or summer bag.
Cooling Patches & Ice Packs
Cooling patches and reusable ice packs can provide targeted relief during particularly warm days. They even make them specifically for placing inside a hat! Just toss them in the freezer ahead of time and grab one when you’re relaxing at home or recovering after spending time outdoors.
Looking for even more ideas? Be sure to check out my post Staying Cool in Summertime as a Spoonie for more cooling products, accommodations, and summer safety tips.
Hydration Must-Haves
Staying hydrated is important year-round, but warmer temperatures can make it even more important to keep hydration top of mind. Summer is a great time to restock your favorite hydration products and discover a few new additions to your routine.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are a staple for many spoonies regardless of season (especially those of us using electrolytes for dysautonomia), but they can become particularly helpful during the warmer months. From electrolyte powders to ready-to-drink beverages or even electrolyte freezer pops, keeping a few favorites on hand can make it easier to support your hydration needs throughout the day.
Drinkware
For many of us, the right drinkware can make staying hydrated much easier throughout the day. Insulated water bottles or tumblers help keep beverages cold for hours, making them ideal for everything from ice water and electrolyte drinks to iced tea and smoothies during the summer months. Pick up some fun reusable straws or ice cube trays to make your favorite beverages even more enjoyable!
Frozen Treats
Frozen treats are an easy way to stay cool and stay hydrated this summer, especially if you struggle to get enough hydration with fluids alone. Pick up some electrolyte pops, make some homemade popsicles, whip up a smoothie, or snack on some frozen fruit as refreshing additions to your summer routine.
What summer essentials are you keeping on hand this season?
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