Malaysians are no strangers to sweltering weather and harsh sunbaked afternoons, but it’s a totally different story when travelling abroad in summer.
On holiday, most of us will have to confront our old frenemy – the Sun – and their daylight bombardment of UV rays much more frequently.
Luckily, there’s a few ways you can shield yourself from getting a nasty sunburn or worse. Have a look at these summer skincare tips for Malaysians:
Choose Proper Sunscreen
The first thing you should do to shield yourself in summer is to get some proper sunscreen.
When choosing sunscreen, the first thing to note is SPF (sun protection factor), which shows the effectiveness of your sunscreen’s sunburn protection.
Choose a sunscreen with SPF30-50 if your itinerary calls for brief outdoor excursions.
On the other hand, choose a sunscreen with SPF50 if you’re planning on lengthy outdoor adventures.
Another thing to watch out for is the PA rating, which usually go in order of PA+, PA++, PA+++ and PA++++. This is a Japanese cosmetics standard which indicates the level of UV filter your sunscreen provides. Sunscreens from US brands usually list broad spectrum protection instead.
Take note, however, as there are environmental concerns with UV filters (read below).
If you’re gonna be getting into the water at a beach or a river, then choosing a waterproof sunscreen is also a must.
However, in this case, it is highly recommended to avoid sunscreen with UV filters (i.e. those with PA ratings or broad spectrum protection).
This is because UV filter chemicals are known to cause coral bleaching and harm the fertility of fish species. For more info, read this article by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and this Guardian report into a study by the Marine Pollution Bulletin.
Did you know? Sunburn and tanning are caused by UVB-type UV rays while skin aging is caused by UVA-type UV rays. Excessive exposure to both is a known factor in causing skin cancer.
Apply Sunscreen Properly
Like everything in life, there’s an art to applying sunscreen – and it’s with moderation!
For your face, apply a soybean-sized amount for each region, just enough to avoid leaving any weird blotches.
For your body, apply about a large teaspoon-sized amount to each general area getting a lot of that sweet sun.
Also, pay particular attention to frequently exposed extremities like your ears, the backs of your hands and feet – all sunburn hotspots.
If you happen to sweat a lot or go swimming in the afternoon, make sure to reapply sunscreen after every 2-3 hours to keep their protection up and running.
Want to go beyond swimming? Then check out these 9 Top Diving Destinations to Immerse Yourself In.
Wear Summer-Appropriate Clothing
Layering up sounds like a winter-only thing, but it’s arguably just as important in summer! Just not with thick innerwear or jackets.
Instead, thin, breathable layers with lots of coverage will help a ton in preventing sunburn and shielding yourself from those pesky UV rays!
Long-sleeved shirts, arm covers, long leggings paired with accessories like umbrellas, a wide-brimmed straw hat and UV-shielding sunglasses are the basic fit for a sweltering summer day.
In terms of colour, darker clothing will usually absorb those nasty UV rays better and prevent them from reaching your skin. However, since dark clothes get warmer much faster in hot weather, maybe reserve the darker colours for breathable innerwear or airy, loose-fitting clothing.
But clothes can only get you so far. That’s when you…
Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate
Besides making sure your body is topped up with plenty of water, your skin needs some TLC when it comes to moisture too!
Adventuring in dry, arid environments like deserts or even mountains can take a toll on the skin, especially in the scorching summer months. Besides causing uncomfortable itching, it can even cause cracking and bleeding in severe cases.
That’s where hydrating creams come in.
Applying one of the various creams, oils and jellies out there can help refill all that moisture lost to bone-dry winds while slowing moisture loss. Most moisturizer products will do the trick but keep an eye out for products containing active ingredients like jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid or shea butter.
Of course, don’t go too overboard with the product and remember to drink plenty of water too!
Looking for some nature just a stone’s throw away from Tokyo? Then take a hike at Mount Nokogiri: A Tokyo Daytrip for the Adventurous.
Plan Around the Afternoon
A clever way to shield yourself from getting an impromptu suntan during your summer escapade is simply – to plan!
Rather than try to fight Mother Nature, try working around her annual UV fiesta instead.
This could be something as simple as going outdoors during the early mornings and late evenings while avoiding the afternoons or – if you’re looking for something more involved – reading up on UV level forecasts.
Did you know? Even during winter, snow can cause UV levels to spike by reflecting up to 90% of UV radiation from the sun. In fact, any white surface on buildings or even light-coloured beaches can create the same effect.
And don’t worry if you don’t feel like missing out on your precious vacay time, there’s always the trusty hat and umbrella!
Curious about summer destinations? Then maybe the cool summer fjords and mountains of Patagonia in South America might be for you. The grand palaces and avenues of the Austrian capital Vienna are also much more pleasant to navigate during summer.
Links
Lloyds Pharmacy – Suncream explained: SPF, PA ratings, and more
https://lloydspharmacy.com/blogs/travel/suncream-explained-spf-and-pa-ratings
UC Davis Health – What you should know about sunscreen, SPF, and protecting your family
https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/what-you-should-know-about-sunscreen-spf-and-protecting-your-family/2022/06
BBC – What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckmg1572e8ko
Radiation: Protecting against skin cancer
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-protecting-against-skin-cancer
La Roche Posay – UVA VS. UVB RAYS AND FINDING THE BEST SUNSCREEN FOR YOU
https://www.laroche-posay.us/skincare-tips-and-advice/sun-protection/uva-vs-uvb-rays-finding-the-best-sunscreen-for-you.html
