Sunscreen or Sunburn:
It's Your Choice!

You need suncreen even if you plan to stay under your beach umbrella.

"Sunscreen at the Beach" — sounds like a hot, new perfume! But it's reality telling us what we need to wear at the beach!

We're not all blessed with that year-round olive complexion. And even if we were, it's always a good idea to slap on the sun screen while you're at the beach.

Sunscreen comes in multiple forms:

• creams
• lotions
• gels
• sprays
• sticks

The lowest SPF to use is 15; anything less is insufficient.

Lotions: Good for dry skin.

Gels: Good for oily skin or when working or perspiring.

Sprays: Best on the body, and fun for children to use.

Sticks or balms: Best for covering facial areas such as lips, ears, and around the eyes. Being in the sun is serious business as much as it is fun! Wearing sunscreen at the beach is even more important because when you're in front of or actually in the water, you're getting the reflection too — so you're getting a double dose.

When you're in the water, use products labeled "water resistant", which protect skin for 40 minutes. Products labeled "waterproof" protect for 80 minutes.

Ask a family member to help you get to the tough spots. Re-apply generously every two to three hours and after swimming. Remember to wear sunglasses too, for eye protection.

A simple way to guarantee a vacation of fun and relaxation is to apply your sunscreen. Don't be the one who has to stay inside after the first day because of too many rays!

Remember, nothing can ruin a beach vacation faster than a bad sunburn!