By Emma Foster

The most crucial part of any hot summer vacation is protecting yourself from the hot sun and other elements that could be dangerous to your health. While it might seem easy to prepare, you need to ensure that you have all the essentials and use them correctly. While hanging out in the sun is great, you need head-to-toe protection throughout the day. Here are a few major summer essentials to keep with you at all times and how to use them effectively.

Shade

While you might think shade can be found everywhere, it’s essential to know the signs for when you need to get some shade and what to do in the event of an emergency. When you reach your sunny destination, find a place that generates shade so you’re not always directly in the sun. You can continually develop your shade with an umbrella, but you should know where the closest place indoors is (and where medical help can be received if necessary).

You must be near shade at all times, but you should also know the signs for when the sun is getting to you. If you experience symptoms such as a heat rash, fever and dizziness, nausea, and other adverse symptoms, get out of the sun and seek medical attention.

You can find plenty of options on Amazon for reasonable prices that won’t break the bank. They’re also more family-sized options for complete comfort.

Caribbean Joe

Sunscreen

This is arguably the most important part of keeping your body, especially your skin, healthy and protected while you’re out in the sun. Sunscreen protects your skin from harsh UV rays, preventing skin cancer and early aging. To avoid these health risks, make sure that you follow these steps:

  1. Apply sunscreen before being exposed to the sun. That way, you are already protected, and the sunscreen can work fast
  2. Make sure you cover every exposed area of your body. This includes your neck, ears, and face, even if you think they’ll be protected by your hat or other clothing.
  3. Apply regularly. This is especially true if you go into the water

When looking for sunscreen, you can also look into options that work great for your skin. Brands such as Neutrogena and CeraVe, known for nurturing your skin, also come in sunscreen form.

Neutrogena

A Hat and Sunglasses

Probably the most important part of sun protection is the accessories that people sometimes neglect. To keep your eyes protected, you need to wear sunglasses. This will keep your eyes from weakening and developing issues later on. Plus, wearing sunglasses will keep you more comfortable while you’re out in the sun as it keeps the bright rays away.

Additionally, there are multiple hat options for keeping the sun from beating down and causing potential damage to your body. There are multiple types of sun hats and caps that have wide brims to cover the face and eyes. Some are more for function, but plenty have style in mind.

Coolibar has tons of hat options with function and style no matter what type of outdoor activity you take part in. They also have great options for kids!

Coolibar

Here are also a few stylish and affordable sunglasses options to complete your beach look!

Blenders – Pacific Grace

Nordstrom – Cat Eye