During your daily travels to and from classes, eating at a café, or just hanging out with friends on campus, your skin may be getting a lot of sun exposure without you even realizing it. Just a short amount of time outside every day can result in tanning, an uneven complexion, and an increase in pigmentation, especially during the warmer months.
Many students think that they don’t have to worry about sun protection just because they’re not spending extended hours outdoors. However, the reality is that the sun exposure you get during commuting each day adds up over time, resulting in pigmentation, dullness and sunspots. Fortunately, you don’t need an expensive skincare routine or many products in your bag to avoid tanning; you can make a difference in your skin's appearance by just incorporating a few easy habits before leaving home, and while on campus.
Read this guide to learn more about easy tips to prevent tanning.
Never Forget to Wear Sunscreen
One skincare habit that every college student should adopt is putting on sunscreen prior to leaving the house. Remember, the sun emits ultraviolet radiation year-round. Therefore, you will get exposed to UV rays on even cloudy or overcast days, through automobile windows. Thus, choosing a suitable, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30, should be a priority in your skincare regimen. Be sure to apply the sunscreen on any exposed areas that you may miss such as your neck and behind your ears, and the tops of your hands. Allow approximately 15 minutes for the sunscreen to absorb into your skin before going outside.
Don’t Just Rely on Sunscreen
As essential as sunscreen is, it is most effective when used along with other sun protection methods. If you walk or wait outside while commuting between different locations, try to stay under shaded areas when possible. Caps and wide-brimmed hats can help protect your face from direct sunshine. Furthermore, sunglasses will also protect the skin around your eyes as well help protect your eyesight. Not just that, but the clothing you choose to wear will also affect how much UV rays reach your skin. Lightweight long-sleeve shirts made from breathable fabrics can limit skin exposure to UV rays without causing excessive heat buildup. If you carry a backpack, you may want to keep a small umbrella with you when it is very sunny.
Reapply Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen once in the morning is a good start to protect yourself from UV rays, but this will not be sufficient protection when you are at university for the entire day. As sunscreen is applied to the skin, it wears off over time from sweating, oil secretion, and normal day-to-day activities. Thus, if you are outdoors during your lunch break, participating in sports, or travelling home from university, reapplying sunscreen will help to continue to provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.
But what if you wear makeup? You can use sunscreen sticks, cushions, and SPF mists as they allow for easy reapplication compared to traditional lotions. By keeping one of these products in your handbag with other necessities, you won't ever have to worry about UV rays! Remember, reapplying sunscreen does not have to be complicated and/ time-consuming, it only takes a minute to apply again, and doing so can greatly decrease tanning and long-term damage from the sun if applied consistently.
Build an Effective Evening Skincare Routine
Throughout the day, your face gets exposed to various elements, including the sun, dust, pollution, sweat, and excess oil. Therefore, it’s important to create an effective yet simple evening skincare routine. Washing your face before going to sleep removes dirt and helps prevent it from settling in your pores. Once you've washed your face, moisturize to replenish moisture and promote a healthy skin barrier. If you have concerns about tanning or uneven skin tone, brightening agents like Vitamin C, niacinamide or azelaic acid will improve your brightness over time while helping to diminish sun damage. As with most other brightening products, Vitamin C, niacinamide and azelaic acid work best when applied consistently and during daylight hours with the use of sunscreen.