Prevent sunburn and skin damage with our expert's top tips

<p>Who doesn't love a bit of sun? By the time summer rolls around, we're absolutely itching to get outside and soak up as many of those rays as possible.</p><p>However, it's important to make sure you stay safe in the sun to avoid burning and damaging your skin. And remember, although the UK isn't always scorching, those harmful UV rays can still get through, and they do lasting damage.</p><p>To ensure you stay safe in the sun, make-up artist and all-round beauty expert <a href="https://www.carlyhobbs.com/" target="_blank">Carly Hobbs</a> is here to help with some top skin care tips...</p><h2>Apply suncream with a high factor</h2><p>The NHS recommends applying a sun cream with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to protect against UVB (the cause of reddening and sunburn). You should look for a cream with at least four-star UVA protection. Our suncreams have 5 star UVA protection.</p><h2>Make sure your suncream isn't out of date</h2><p>Make sure the sunscreen is not past its expiry date. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of two to three years as long as it hasn't been kept in direct sunlight or at high temperatures.</p><h2>Apply suncream 30 minutes before you head out</h2><p>Ensure you do this 30 minutes before heading out into the sunshine to allow it to dry and settle.</p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="sun-cream-web-i-stock__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/sun-cream-web-i-stock__square_GL?scl=1"></h2><h2>Make sure you put enough on</h2><p>Most people don't apply enough sunscreen. As a guide, the NHS recommends adults should apply around two teaspoons of sunscreen if you're just covering your head, arms and neck and two extra tablespoons if you're covering your entire body while wearing a swimming costume.</p><h2>Apply, apply and then reapply</h2><p>Reapply every few hours and whenever you've been for a swim or rubbed yourself down with a towel.</p><p>If you find applying suncream a hassle, make it as easy and as quick as possible by using a clean fake tan mitt. It allows you to swipe the product on evenly and efficiently &ndash; just don't forget to do the hand that is in the mitt, too.</p><h2>Keep kids out of the sun as much as possible</h2><p>The NHS recommends keeping babies less than six months old out of direct sunlight. At such a young age, skin contains too little melanin (the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour and provides some protection from the sun).</p><p>For older infants, the advice it to keep your child out of sunlight as much as possible. If you do go out when it's very hot, the NHS suggest attaching a parasol or sunshade to pushchairs.  </p><p>Suncream that is specially designed for children and babies is less likely to contain additives that might irritate the skin and should be reapplied regularly (you can find it <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/kids-sun-care/childs-farm-sun-cream-spf-50/1000017779681" target="_blank">here</a>). And finally, make sure your child wears a sunhat with a rim to protect their neck from the sun.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="sun-protection-family-web-i-stock__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/sun-protection-family-web-i-stock__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Invest in a good pair of sunnies</h2><p>A stylish pair of shades is essential in the sun to both protect the delicate skin around your eyes, as well as protecting against damaging UV rays. Look for sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection.</p><h2>Take shade at regular intervals</h2><p>Do this especially between 11am and 3pm when temperatures soar and the sun is at its hottest and most dangerous. Get under an umbrella, cover up - heck even go inside to take a nap or sip a cocktail. This is to prevent burning, skin damage and also to stop you from feeling wobbly from too much sun.</p><h2>Fake rather than bake</h2><p>You don't have to sit in the sun to get a cracking tan. Try an amazing faux glow product before, during and after your holiday &ndash; it means less white bits, it's 100% safe and you get a glow a million times more even than one you'd get from a sun lounger. You can see our range of self tans <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/aisle/skin-care/self-tan/_/103790" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="woman_applying_suncream__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/woman_applying_suncream__square_GL?scl=1"></h2><h2>Watch out for the easy-to-forget areas</h2><p>Apply suncream carefully around the eyes, and don't forget the lids! Use a specialised SPF balm on your lips, and always go over the tops of the ears with this too - they're really sensitive!</p><h2>Cover your head</h2><p>As well as your ears and neck, your head ought to be protected from the sun (and nobody likes a flaking scalp, do they?). So make sure you invest in a <a href="https://direct.asda.com/george/women/accessories/womens-hats/D1M1G20C16S4,default,sc.html" target="_blank">sun hat</a>.</p><h2>stay hydrated </h2><p>If you're out in the sun all day, chances are that you're sweating a lot. Drinking plenty of water should be an absolute priority &ndash; don't just wait until you feel thirsty. </p><p><em>Make sure you stay safe in the sun by investing in some sun cream. To see our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/aisle/sun-care-travel/sun-protection/1215431614651" target="_blank">full range of sun creams</a> which include facial, kids and body, make sure you head to your <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">local store </a>or <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/aisle/sun-care-travel/sun-protection/1215431614651" target="_blank">head online</a>. </em></p>

How to stay safe in the sun

By ASDA Admin,8th May 2019

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