May is Sun Awareness Month, and it’s also when soccer and baseball games and long bike rides kick into full gear. Active days have a way of stretching longer than you planned. You pack the water bottles, the extra socks, the snacks, and then the sun creeps up on you. For family fun that includes movement, sunscreen is an essential part of staying protected all day long.
Here are five things to remember before you head out the door.
Prepare before leaving the house: Start by applying sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outside.
“When families are heading out for sports, field trips or active summer plans, the best time to think about sun protection is before walking out the door,” says dermatologist and mom of two Dr. Katie Beleznay. “Start by applying a generous layer of SPF, about two tablespoons for the whole body and rub it in well so that you’re well protected from the start.”
Plan for sweat: If your kids are running drills, climbing or racing scooters, they’re sweating—even if it doesn’t look like it. Choose broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with SPF 30 or higher, and remember that towels and shirts can rub sunscreen off. Sunscreen should be reapplied after 80 minutes if they’ve been sweating.
Don’t forget the grown-ups: Kids take their cue from you. When you top up your own sunscreen, they’re more likely to cooperate with theirs. Using water and sweat-resistant sunscreens like Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+ is an option for parents who are outside cheering or playing alongside their kids.
Build reapplication into natural breaks: Between games, do a quick scan of noses, cheeks, ears, backs of necks as well as shoulders. Use snack time or bathroom breaks as another opportunity to reapply sunscreen. Don’t go longer than two hours before reapplying, or 80 minutes if they’ve been sweating.
Dress for the sun: Finish with simple add-ons for the family: brimmed hats, lightweight long-sleeves and shade breaks when the sun is strongest. Sun safe family fun doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need something you can stick to consistently.
A little preparation can go a long way on busy summer days. By making sunscreen, reapplication and sun-smart habits part of the routine, families can stay focused on the fun while helping protect their skin outdoors.
