Sun exposure is the main cause of skin damage including premature aging and skin cancer.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Protecting your skin on a daily basis from ultraviolet rays doesn’t have to be difficult and can avert future skin damage. Keep in mind a few tips that will help to protect your skin while you are enjoying the sun.

Tip One: Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher every day.

Although most people know that sunscreen is an essential part of sun safety, many do not know how much sunscreen is necessary or how frequently it should be reapplied. It’s important to apply at least one ounce of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Look for facial and body moisturizers containing SPF 15 or higher. Be sure to reapply every two hours, and look for a broad spectrum sunscreen with ingredients including zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mexoryl or avobenzone.

Tip Two: Wear Sun-Protective Clothing.

Research shows that clothing may be the most effective way to protect against skin cancer while in the sun. Like sunscreen, apparel can be rated for its sun-protective ability. This rating for clothing is called “ultraviolet protection factor,” or UPF. When shopping for specially formulated sun-protective clothing, look for tightly woven products that feature a minimum UPF 30 and have received the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.

Columbia Sportswear is the first global company to receive this coveted seal, for its Omni-Shade apparel line. Offering more than 140 UPF-rated products for men, women and children, the products ensure safe and effective protection against damaging UVA and UVB rays.

Tip Three: Keep a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses on hand.

While sunscreen and sun-protective apparel are key to sun safety, it’s also important to pay special attention to delicate areas like the neck, ears, scalp, face and eyes. Make sun protection easy by keeping UV-blocking sunglasses and a hat on hand. Columbia Sportswear’s Duck Key Booney hat features UPF 50 and is perfect for the beach, fishing, or a day hike.

Enjoy the sun safely this season by following these easy tips and visiting www.columbia.com for more information about all of Columbia’s UPF products and www.skincancer.org for additional skin cancer information.