Wednesday, June 21, 2023, marks the official longest day of the year. This day also gets referred to as the Summer Solstice, as the Earth will reach a maximum tilt towards the sun.

For many, this global event represents a time of action. The maximum exposure to the sun occurring on the longest day of the year encourages people to get outside and indulge in physical activity.

It’s also a good time to take a look at your skin protection plan.

The go-to skin protection when you’re going to be outdoors in direct sunlight, it’s important to remember that sunscreen can be used to protect your skin even if you don’t plan on going to the beach. Even if you work in a downtown office building, applying sunscreen to your bare skin can offer sun protection for when you do have to go outside. And don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every few hours.

While shorts, tank tops, and thin materials may be the ideal fashion choices for summer comfort, sometimes the clothing choices can offer little or no protection for your skin. But while throwing on winter jackets and thicker clothes will rightly be dismissed as a bad idea, long-sleeved shirts made for prolonged sun exposure can be the ideal combination of fashion and comfort for maximum skin protection.

The best place to find such long-sleeved summer shirts can be fishing shops or uniform suppliers, as professionals working in outdoor environments regularly make use of such clothing choices.

Also, don’t be afraid to layer up on thin material options, such as a tank top with an open-buttoned short sleeve shirt and comfortable pants. Hats can also be a skin saver in the summer, and possibly even thin shawls or scarves to cover the neck and shoulders.

We don’t know if anyone still refers to sunglasses as “shades” anymore, but while sunglasses can be used 365 days of the year, they can be especially imperative during the Summer Solstice.

While cheap sunglasses may have questionably usage compared to prescription sunglasses, always keep in mind there’s not really any rules regarding sunglass usage. It doesn’t matter if you’re rocking the most expensive pair of sunglasses on the market or cheap plastic one you bought by the front counter of a pharmacy; just get a pair and protect your eyes.

And speaking of shade…

Doesn’t matter if we’re talking about tree foliage, an umbrella, or the shadow of a building; any kind of shade can offer protection from too much sun. If you can find a shaded area that also happens to be sitting in a windy area, such as a street between two tall buildings, you can also cool down while giving your skin a break from the sun.

When In Doubt, Combine

Skin protection works best when you combine multiple options to maximize your protection levels, and depending on your family’s medical history, using several skin protection options can help you minimize the chance for problems like sun burns and skin cancer.

This Summer Solstice, remember to take care of yourself and your loved ones by using as many skin protection options as you can.