Summer is almost here and you’re likely out on the trails, maybe working on your bike skills, soaking in the hot, hot sun… especially those who live in cooler climates (ahem, Canada) who have been waiting for this moment for what feels like AGES. So, we wanted to jump into your feed with our annual reminders to avoid sunburn despite the long hours you’re spending outside. It’s time to check in with your sunscreen and swap out your winter wardrobe. Here we go:
Check Sunscreen Expiration Dates
That’s right, it loses effectiveness over time. So all the slathering in the world won’t save you if it’s from 2010!
Read this: Your No-BS Guide to Summer Hydration
Check Sweat/Water Warnings
Some sunscreens, especially natural ones with zinc in them, aren’t ideal for sports since they will sweat off. We won’t say you need a chemical option, but you do need to be aware of how often you’ll have to reapply.
Read this: 5 Things to Do as an Athlete Before Summer Really Hits
Wear Long Sleeves on the Bike and on the Run
We both opt to wear white long sleeves as often as possible in order to avoid sunburn rather than dealing with lotion. While normally, Molly prefers black, in the summer, she shifts to white from a cooling/reflective perspective.
Peter swears by these inexpensive white sun sleeves for cycling — wear with a jersey and avoid sunburn as well as cuts and scrapes from thorns while on the trails.
Molly wears long sleeves for running most of the year. It helps avoid underarm chafing as well as sunburn, and there’s less stress about re-applying sunscreen on long adventures. Plus, long sleeves means less issues with chafing from a run pack, and avoids getting scraped up by raspberry canes all day in the woods.
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