5 Alternatives to Sunscreen That Protect Your Skin

Wondering if there are other options for protecting your skin from the sun that doesn’t involve spreading white goop across your face? Sunscreen has a lot of benefits, but it isn’t for everyone. If you want to double up on your protection or look for something that works better for you, there are alternatives to sunscreen you can choose from.

Don’t wait for the sun to burn you. Check out these options and see what might help you stay protected.

Why Avoid the Sun

While the sun can make you feel like a whole new person when it hits your skin, it can also make you look like a whole new person as well. The sun’s rays bring UV rays with them, which contribute to wrinkles, faster aging, and skin cancer in the form of melenoma.

These cons outweigh the pros in a lot of ways. You can still step outside and enjoy the sunshine, but limiting your long-term exposure can keep you looking younger and keep you alive for longer.

Why Avoid the Screen

Sunscreen is a must-have in many peoples’ beauty regimens, and that’s a good thing. But sunscreen doesn’t work for everyone. Some people are allergic to sunscreen, or need more than just a layer you put on that will eventually rub off or lose its effectiveness after an hour or two.

When it comes to protection from the sun, using sunscreen is good, but you want more than just one option to keep you safe. These are both alternatives and things you can use in addition to sunscreen so you and your skin stay healthy.

1. Keep it Covered

Not only is wearing regular clothing helpful with blocking UV rays, you can also find specific sun-protective clothing to wear when you know you’ll be out for a long time. If you know you’ll be out in the sun, be it on the beach, on a hike, or simply going for a long walk, staying a little more covered can be a great help.

You don’t have to cover yourself head to toe, but think about the areas where the sun is most likely going to hit. If you’re looking for seashells, wearing something over your neck and back can help prevent a nasty burn.

If you’re going to be active, running around and sweating, your sunscreen may run off anyway. Wearing clothes as your main or extra protection can do a lot of good.

2. Under My Umbrella

Strolling under a parasol wasn’t just for show back in the day. An umbrella was and still is, an excellent option to protect yourself from the sun. Some people may feel like vampires walking around outside under an umbrella, but in many Asian countries, it’s common practice if you want to protect your skin.

It not only covers your skin, but you can see easier from under the shade of your umbrella. And it can help keep your cooler should the weather be too warm for layers. You’ll also always be prepared for any pop-up shower in the future.

3. Have a Hat

No matter what you’re doing outside, the sun is also outside and will be on you when you don’t realize it. Even if you’re only running errands, making it a habit of throwing on a good hat can be skin cancer prevention in the long run. And it doesn’t have to be the battle of hats vs sunscreen, you can double up for double the protection.

There are all kinds of hats to choose from that you can get depending on the protection you need. You can find ranch hats for a casual look whenever you’re out and about. Or try a wide-brimmed, more floppy hat to wear out in the garden or at the beach when the sun will be on you all day.

With hats, even something beats having nothing. If you forget to put on sunscreen or think you’ll only be in the sun for a second, a hat can still do a lot. Even a baseball cap will do more than no hat at all.

4. A Healthy Lifestyle

When it comes to protection from the sun, a healthy lifestyle won’t protect you 100%, but it can do more than you think. Eating well, especially a lot of greens and getting in the necessary antioxidants, can help your skin stay strong and healthy for longer in your life. But it won’t shield you from the sun.

If you do have to go out in the sun at times, try to avoid doing it all at once. Going from pasty to red is very bad. If you can slowly adjust your skin to more sun, you’ll be less likely to burn and experience dangerous side effects.

5. Oil Options

Oils are the last on the list because they are not completely proven to help protect your skin from the sun, and can be very dependant on you and your skin. Coconut, olive, peanut, and sesame oils may help protect your skin, but they have been known to work in the opposite way as well. If you want to try out oils to see if they work for you, use caution when testing them out.

All the Alternatives to Sunscreen

When you need alternatives to sunscreen, it’s good to try a few options and protect yourself even more. And if you aren’t allergic to sunscreen, finding some you like even if it’s the most basic form of zinc oxide is good. Protection from the sun can literally save your life.

And don’t wait to start keeping your skin healthier. Grab a hat and a light shirt to wear when it gets too bright today so your future self stays healthy tomorrow.