July is UV Safety Month - have you been covering up? We discussed the efficacy of Natural Sunscreen in our recent article Are Natural Sunscreens and Insect Repellents Effective?, so you know now that natural or chemical is really just a matter of personal preference - they all work... but which will you choose? The CDC reminds to "Protect the skin you’re in." Each year, approximately one million skin cancers are detected. Scientists believe that reducing exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can decrease the risk of skin cancer. Americans want to know how they can protect their skin while still having fun outdoors. Meteorologists can play an important role in giving Americans the information they need to protect themselves from UV rays year-round. This article offers information you can use to protect yourself from the sun. Choose Your Cover More and more people are looking for ways to protect themselves from the sun’s UV rays. Fortunately, there are many year-round options to protect one’s skin. So learn these sun-protection tips: Rub It On Remember to bring sunscreen everywhere, not just to the pool or beach. Many burns occur when outdoor activities last longer than expected. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, generously apply it 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply it frequently throughout the day, especially after swimming or exercise. For people who don’t like lotions, there are other varieties: creams, gels, wipes, and sprays.
Avoiding the sun during the midday hours provides the best defense against skin cancer. However, if you can’t avoid the midday sun, remember that choosing  a cover can protect the skin you’re in
Seek Shade  Whenever possible, avoid the midday sun when UV rays are the strongest and do the most damage. When you’re outdoors, trees, beach umbrellas, or tents are good sources of shade. Use these options to prevent a burn, not after you need relief. If you can’t avoid the midday sun or find shade, at least try to take a break from the sun during the day. Shield Your Skin When you’re enjoying your favorite outdoor activities, it’s important to shield your skin. A shirt, beach cover-up, or pants with a tight weave are all good choices for cover. Keep in mind, however, that a typical T-shirt usually has an SPF that is much lower than the recom­mended SPF 15. So add some shade or sunscreen — especially if your clothes don’t completely cover your skin. Grab Your Shades Grabbing a pair of shades is more than cool, it’s also the best way to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Sunglasses protect the tender skin around the eyes and reduce the risk of devel­oping cataracts. For maximum protection, look for sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. And try wrap-around lenses, which keep UV rays from sneaking in at the sides. Use Your Head Not all sun protection comes in a bottle. So it’s smart to use your head when you’re out in the sun. Up to 80 percent of skin cancers occur on the head and neck, so a wide-brimmed hat is a great way to shade your face.ears, neck, and scalp. Too Much Sun Hurts Did you know that just a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life? Kids don’t have to be at the pool, beach or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they’re outdoors. Turning pink? Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. So, if your child’s skin looks “a little pink” today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun. Tan? There’s no other way to say it: tanned skin is dam­aged skin. Any change in the color of your child’s skin after time outside – whether sunburn or suntan – indi­cates damage from UV rays. Cool and cloudy? Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them – and sometimes only slightly. Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are outdoors unprotected for longer than expected. Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy – in your car, bag or child’s backpack. Parents, help your children to play it safe, and protect your own skin as well. You’re an important role model. Sunscreen may be easy, but it doesn’t protect your child’s skin completely. Try combining sunscreen with other “ChooseYour Cover” options to prevent UV damage. SUNSCREENSunscreen comes in a variety of forms – lotions, sprays, wipes or gels. Be sure to choose one made especially for kids with:
  • Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
  • both UVA and UVB protection
For most effective protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. And, don’t forget to protect ears, noses, lips and the tops of feet which often go unprotected. Take sunscreen with you to reapply during the day, especially after your child swims or exercises. This applies to “waterproof” and “water resistant” products as well. Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow your kids to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Sunscreen reduces damage from UV radiation, it doesn’t eliminate it. The American Academy of Pediatrics now advises that sunscreen use on babies less than 6 months old is not harmful on small areas of a baby’s skin, such as the face and back of the hands. But your baby’s best defense against sunburn is avoiding the sun or staying in the shade.
The SmartShield Towelette contains a very soft towel saturated with our SPF 30 sun protection liquid. This liquid is waterproof and sweat proof. It also contains all natural insect repellent ingredients - Cedar Essence and Lemongrass.
Retail Price: $1.99
Our Price: $0.89
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SPF 30 Sunscreen Towelette with Insect Repellent
The SmartShield Towelette contains a very soft towel saturated with our SPF 30 sun protection liquid. This liquid is waterproof an....read more and purchase
These are natural repellents and contain no DEET. The independent laboratory found that SmartShield Sunscreen with insect repellent was statistically as effective as the well known DEET product at repelling mosquitoes. The testing labs description was 'Statistically equal in preventing mosquitoes from probing.' That means that you can have sun and insect protection without the use of the chemical repellent DEET which concerns many people. The sunscreen components are long lasting and are very effective. The insect repellents are natural and do not last all day. They need to be touched up in 3-4 hours with a light reapplication. There are no oils in our products. They go on easily and are not felt thereafter. They are perfect for workers or others whose grips and work environments make an oil free product more appealing and safe. They are also perfect for woodsmen and hunters since there are not foreign fragrances in the formula. The Towelettes will comply with OSHA mandates for protection from UV for outdoor employees.