How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun This Spring

Many people know to protect their skin from the sun in summer. Yet most don't realize that tanning actually starts in spring. Spring may not bring summer's blazing heat, but it's dry and windy, and UV rays are especially strong between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

UV rays easily encourage freckles to form and cause melanin to build up. Since the skin's metabolic cycle runs 28 days, skipping sun protection in spring and overexposing your skin to UV means sunspots will show up by summer. By then, it's already too late to undo the damage.

Spring sunshine may feel gentle, but its UV rays are fierce. If you're spending extended time outdoors, apply SPF 30 or higher to any exposed skin, and pack a parasol, sunglasses, and a hat. To ease dry, dehydrated skin, eat more foods rich in vitamins A and B, along with fresh fruits and vegetables.

What you wear matters, too. A garment's UV protection depends first on its fabric and then on its color—for instance, cotton clothing has an SPF of roughly 15–40; light-colored polyester has an SPF of about 7–10; and light-colored knitwear has an SPF of around 4–9. A colored cotton T-shirt actually filters UV rays better than a white one.

UV rays that reach the eyes are closely tied to tanning, so wear sunglasses outdoors whenever you can to block UV exposure. It's also handy to keep a light jacket in the car. Driving exposes you to a great deal of sunlight, which is hard on the skin and can even cause so-called "traffic-jam sunburn." So be sure to slip on a long-sleeved jacket while driving.

If you've been out in the sun all day, washing your face with hot water is like scalding it. Only cool water will make your pores contract, cool the skin, and take the heat and redness out. Hot water, on the other hand, dilates the capillaries, causing flushing and even sunspots.