Don’t have time for a thorough skincare routine? You can still treat yourself by mastering the fundamentals. Good skincare and a healthy lifestyle can help to slow down the aging process and prevent a variety of skin disorders.

Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most important aspects of skincare. Sun exposure throughout a lifetime can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other skin issues, as well as an increased risk of skin cancer.

Below are five important tips for protecting your skin from the sun

Wear sunscreen

15 to 30 minutes before heading outside, apply at least one ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass). Use a sunscreen-containing lip balm or lipstick with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.

Practice the shadow rule

Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., limit your time in the sun. The sun’s beams are at their strongest at this time. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are at their harshest, and you should seek shade.

Wear protective clothing

Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants if feasible. Clothes made of dark, tightly woven materials block more sunlight than clothing made of light, loosely woven fabrics. Look for clothing made of specific sun-protective materials for added protection.

Use hats and sunglasses

Wear a hat that protects your face, neck, and ears, as well as sunglasses. Sunglasses with UV absorption of 99 percent to 100 percent give the best protection for the eyes and surrounding skin.

Be mindful of the medications you take

If you’re taking medication that makes you more sensitive to the sun, be even more cautious. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antifungals, blood pressure medicines, and chemotherapies are among them.