Summer Skin Care: Protect Your Skin During Summer Months

© Michelle Howard Smith - All Rights Reserved

As we enter the summer months, it's particularly important to protect your skin from the elements.

I'm pretty sure that everyone's heard of the ozone layer but just in case, here's a brief explanation of what it is: The ozone layer is a thin shield  of natural gas that is found in two different layers of the atmosphere surrounding Earth.  The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays and the ozone layer protects life on Earth from these harmful rays.  These harmful Ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer, eye damage and other health conditions.

Due to the release of various chemicals into the environment by companies that make products such as soap, hair spray, pesticides and others, the ozone layer is rapidly being depleted. Due to this depletion, human beings must protect their skin from the high levels of UV rays.  One way this is accomplished is by using a skin protectant.

It is not just important, but critical to use a skin protectant with an SPF level of at least 30.  If you will be outdoors for an extended period of time, SPF 45 is recommended.  SPF 15 does not provide enough protection from the UV rays.

Prayerfully, countries around the world will wake up and cease the use of chemicals rapidly depleting our ozone layer. Until that time, be prepared to have increased levels of radiation around Earth.

Skin Tip of the Quarter: Did you know that even when it's cloudy outside and the sun doesn't appear to be shining, you are still exposed to ultraviolet rays.  Clouds are not a protector from ultraviolet rays