As a kid growing up under the warm, radiant Texas sun, I remember spending hours and hours outdoors at the pool during the summer months.  I can’t honestly say that I remember using sunscreen as a kid, but that might have something to do with the fact that my parents just didn’t realize there were so many health risks back then.

With my kids now, I try and use sunscreen for pronlonged time outdoors although I do believe in letting them just play freely outdoors without it simply because it’s good for the vitamin D factor.  And, although I tan naturally very easily, I make sure that there is naturally occuring sunscreen in just about everything that touches my face.  Not only does this make me feel better about using certain products, but I feel like I am getting a “bonus” out of it, too!  Some of my favorite summer fun tips for healthy skin are:

• Start with the basics.  Look for a moisturizer that has naturally derived (not manmade) sunscreens in the ingredients.  This will result in fewer issues with your skin not responding well to it.  There are many, many moisturizers out there that will fit the bill, even if you have oily skin like me.

• If you normally wear foundation makeup most of the time, consider scaling back or eliminating it altogether in the summer and look for a light dusting powder (either loose or pressed) that has sunscreen protection in it as well.  Since you will likely be picking up some color throughout these warmer months, going the powder-only route will feel a lot less heavy but will still provide your face with a nice finish as you head out the door.

• Save your kisser!  Yep, that’s right — I even use lip balms and glosses that have sunscreens in them as well.  This is where I really feel like I am getting a bonus — lip treatment and shine all in one!  I keep several of my favorite lip balms on hand – one in my purse, one on my bathroom vanity to use as I get ready every morning, one in the car, and one downstairs in my kitchen drawer (since I seem to spend so much time there!).  Look for a lip balm in your favorite scent or flavor and look for the “SPF” on it.  Chances are, you’ll find one you love!

• If looking more bronze is your goal, consider getting a bronzing face powder with SPF in it and a body lotion that is tinted and has SPF.  You will get the best of both worlds without risking sun exposure or damage from tanning beds.

That’s me using my favorite Neutrogena® Revitalizing Lip Balms (with a hint of color & SPF).
Photo credit: Mark Jackson – www.markoshoots.com

Did you know that one American dies of melanoma almost every hour?!  Summer is here and we are all feeling the need to sunbathe or use tanning beds, however both of these carry serious repercussions of exposing our skin to UVA and UVB radiation without protection. What’s even more important to realize is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and – with early detection – most of the time is curable.

Neutrogena® launched the Choose Skin Health™ campaign in 2009 in an effort to provide the public with the opportunity to get a free skin cancer screening with a dermatologist in their town.   Their mission is to help fight the skin cancer epidemic, educating and empowering the public to follow healthy sun-safe behaviors and take proper precautions against sun damage, which includes signing up for a free skin cancer screening. The initiative was made possible through a partnership between Neutrogena® and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), who has commited to educating the community on sun-related issues.

What I also find startling is that compared to Caucasian women, fewer Hispanic women always/often wear sunscreen or believe it is important to wear sunscreen daily. “Darker-skinned individuals perceive themselves as having low or no risk for melanoma”, states Dr. Rendón, on behalf of ASDS.  Although it sounds crazy, I could certainly see how that assumption could be made since growing up Latina, the thought of protecting my naturally-bronzed skin was never even introduced to me!

I hope that this has encouraged you to find out more info about free cancer screenings across the nation and in your area.  You can also visit the Choose Skin Health™   Facebook page to learn more about their initiatives.

How do you choose skin health during the summer months? Do you have any summer skin tips to share?

{Disclosure: This has been a compensated post in collaboration with Neutrogena® and Latina Bloggers Connect. BUT, all opinions and thoughts expressed in herein are that of my own. No one is the boss of me!}