Avoid the mid-day sun. The sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 10am and 4pm. To the extent possible, limit exposure to the sun during these hours. You can also protect your skin by seeking shade.

Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreen gives you protection from both UVB and UVA rays. Check the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date listed has shelf life of no more than three years and less if it’s been exposed to excessive heat or direct sun. Your sunscreen may be old if it changes color from white to yellow, changes in consistency, or starts to separate.

Apply sunscreen generously. Most people only apply 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. Unless you slather on a thick layer, you’re not getting full protection. One ounce (about a shot glass full) is required to cover your whole body. And remember: Chemical sunscreens need time to be absorbed into the skin to work, so they need to be applied about 15 minutes before going in the sun.

Reapply sunscreen often. Many sunscreens lose their efficacy after two hours. And all sunscreens, even the longer-acting ones, should be reapplied after swimming, sweating, or toweling.

Cover those tricky spots. Don’t forget tricky spots like your scalp, the tops of your ears, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet. Cover these spots with clothing or apply sunscreen.  Apply sunscreen to the underside of your chin, which can burn via reflection of the sun’s rays off surfaces such as snow, sand, and concrete.  

Wear sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather report. Damaging UV rays can be strong even on overcast days, so use sun protection every day. Protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is important whenever you’re outside or even when you’re on long rides in the car, if you are sitting where the sun hits your skin.

Wear lip balm with SPF. Don’t forget to protect your lips, which are not immune to skin cancer. Apply a lip balm with SPF, and reapply it regularly.

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses (the bigger the better). Ideal sunglasses are labeled “UV absorption up to 400 nm” or “Meets ANSI UV requirements,” meaning  that they block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Not only can UV rays burn the important structures in your eye, UV rays can also contribute to the formation of cataracts, which can affect vision later in life. 

Wear protective clothing and broad-brimmed hats.

Your clothes can provide great protection from the sun. Darker colored clothing is usually more protective than lighter colored, and a dry shirt is more protective than a wet one. Look for clothing that has a UPF rating. While SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and measures how long your sunscreen will protect you from ultraviolet rays, UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and indicates how much of the sun’s UV rays are absorbed by the fabric instead of your skin. For clothing that has a UPF rating, look for UPF of 30 and above.  Many of these fabrics have special washing instructions to maintain their UPF, so be sure to follow these instructions to ensure your garments continue to offer their full protective value.  Wearing a hat with a wide brim – one that is 2-3 inches all the way around – is a great way to protect your head. If you wear a baseball cap, don’t forget to put sunscreen on your ears and neck.