Don’t let the sun ruin your summer. Choose the right sunblock and use it properly to avoid sunburn and protect your skin

Warm weather gives us free rein to be outside for an extended period of time all day, every day. Here are a few guidelines for making sure you safeguard your skin and enjoy your summer at the same time.

1. Choose the right sunscreen formulation. Creams and lotions are good choices for daily use on both your face and body. Gels are oil-free and won’t clog pores, making them ideal for the face, especially if you are prone to acne. Sprays are useful in covering hard-to-reach areas like your back and shoulders, as well as hairy places like your arms, a thinning scalp or back. Sprays also work well on restless, squirming children. Solid formulas are handy if you’re hiking, waterskiing or playing sports on the beach, as they provide targeted protection on the lips, ears, nose and around the eyes.

2. Protect yourself at all times, even if you’re not directly in the sun. Because sun damage is cumulative, every minute you spend exposed to the sun’s rays counts. Ultraviolet A rays (known as the burning rays) penetrate clothing and glass, so you should use sunscreen while wearing regular clothing, or if you’re going to be sitting in a car or a train for an extended period of time.

3. Reapply sunscreen often. Studies show that if you wait more than two and a half hours to reapply, you’re five times more likely to get burned. One rule of thumb: If you are playing sports or swimming, reapply sunscreen every hour; if you are sunbathing, reapply it at least every two hours.

4. Don’t use sunscreen sparingly. Most people simply don’t apply enough sunscreen to adequately cover themselves. Make sure you completely cover your face, legs, feet, arms, hands, chest, neck, back, stomach, and not-so-obvious places like the bottoms of your feet, armpits, backs of knees, earlobes and scalp.

5. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out into the sun. Some of the most common sunscreen ingredients may take awhile to interact with your skin and take effect. If your sunscreen contains avobenzone or oxybenzone for UVA protection, and octyl salicylate and cinnamates for UVB protection, apply the product half an hour before going outside.

6. Choose the right SPF. Dermatologists recommend using SPF 15 every day, which is the lowest SPF factor you should consider, even for day-to-day, incidental exposure. If you plan to spend more than an hour in the sun, choose an SPF 30 or higher.

Discuss tanning tips, techniques and products with other iVillagers by visiting our Beauty Talk message board.