Pale-skinned girls have to be extra careful over the summer. Of course, in the United States, tanning during the summer is a beauty norm–but keeping our milky and porcelain skin color is a must for life-long healthy skin. Here are some ways to protect your skin while still looking your best.
1. Wear your sunscreen
Wear it EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY. This is really important. It doesn’t matter if you’ll only be in the sun for 5 minutes…every minute counts.
2. If you do tan in the sun: tan with sunscreen.
Okay, I realize that you might choose to tan anyways. If you do, still wear sunscreen! Skin cancer isn’t worth it, ladies.
3. Keep reapplying
Especially at the beach. As a victim of some of the worst kinds of sunburns as a kid (under other parents’ supervision; my parents were super strict about my sister and I ALWAYS having to wear our sunscreen) you don’t want to experience a severe burn. Sunscreen wears off with time, sweat and pool and ocean-water. Just keep applying.
4. My rule of thumb for SPF:
For the beach, it’s SPF 50 plus. For tanning or hiking, it’s 30/35. And for everyday, typically 15-35.
5. Bronzer is our best friend
If you’re like me and don’t like to spend a million dollars on spray tanning every few days, use bronzer on your face to help bring the summer glow to you, without the harmful effects.
6. Use tanning lotions instead of spray tanning
As mentioned above, if you’re like me and don’t want to drop major bucks to maintain a believable tan all summer, try tanning lotions. I like any of the Jergen’s brand, but those still sometimes streak — so take extra precaution when applying.
7. Exfoliate
A summer glow is the epitome of summer beauty goals. If all else fails, try exfoliating. By sloughing away any dead skin cells, you’ll reveal brighter and firmer skin glowing underneath.
8. Wear your pale-ness with pride
It’s easy to feel self-conscious over summer with bronzed beauties all around us, but we are pale beauties! Don’t be afraid to flaunt it. Wear bright colors and go to the beach. Don’t shy away from any of this just because you don’t feel very confident. Remember, you’re beautiful just the way you are.