It isn't summer without sunscreen, the convenient shield-in-a-bottle that protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But the same chemicals that ward off damaged skin could burn us in other ways. Here are some strategies for healthier sun safety:

• Minimize sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm when sunlight is strongest, and use your shadow as an indicator of the sun’s intensity. If it appears shorter than you are, the sun is at peak strength.
• Don’t use sunscreen on children younger than six months. Instead, keep infants out of the sun.
• Remember that your daily sun exposure is cumulative. Taking a shade break after a long soak in the sun does not reset your day’s exposure.
• UV rays reflect off things like sand, tile, water, snow, so limit your exposure to these reflective surfaces—even in the shade.
• Carry and use an umbrella. Take a big one to the beach for shade and use a smaller parasol for walking around.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, and long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or caftans made from light but tightly woven fabric that you can’t see through.
• Consider UV-protective fabric clothing, which is specially woven to lock out the sun but keep you cool.
• Keep an eye out for new research on sunscreens with the ingredient Mexoryl, which is derived from natural camphor. Mexoryl is biodegradable, lasts all day, and has a bodily absorption rate of less that 0.1%. It’s also water-soluble, which means that the little bit absorbed by your skin won’t stay there. While we’d like to see more data before declaring Mexoryl safe, initial reports are promising.

photo: ajagendorf25