3 ways to Protect Your Skin from the Sun when Working Out Outside

By: Ali Adcock

As the official start of summer approaches, the days are getting longer and many people are taking advantage of outdoor activities. According to skincancer.org, about 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation form the sun. It’s important to remember when you’re outdoors for any amount of time to always protect your skin. From sunscreen to protective clothing, it’s time to learn more about how you can protect your skin from dangerous UV rays, while enjoying your outdoor workouts and other activities.

Keep Track of Time

It’s important to plan your workout times and other outdoor activities like swimming, biking, and hiking around the sun. The sun’s strongest UV rays are apparent from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so try to avoid any activities in direct sunlight during those times. It’s also critical to remember that UV exposure is greater in mountainous areas, closer to the equator, and between the months of May-August in the U.S..

ALWAYS Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is one of the most common ways to prevent the harmful UV rays from burning your skin. It’s apparent to wear sunscreen when the sun is out and shining down making you hot and sweaty, but did you know you can still get burned even when the sun is behind the clouds? Yes, it’s possible. So, always remember to apply sunscreen even on cloudy days!

Wear Protective Clothing

Before heading out for a run, check your workout clothes to make sure they have Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) on the label. UPF protects your skin from the UV rays without interfering with your workout. It’s also important to remember that darker clothing offers more protection from the sun. While some may argue that darker clothing doesn’t keep cool, make sure to choose a dry fit, nylon or nylon polyester blend, as this material will allow your body to keep cool all while protecting your skin.

Hats and sunglasses are a must! Remember, harmful rays can reflect off of pavement, sand and snow exposing your face to sunlight. With a combination of sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat you can stay protected, and don’t forget to make sure your sunglasses offer 100% UV protection.

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