How long has it been since you stocked up on sunscreen and other items to protect your family’s skin and eyes from the sun? Can you remember? With spring on the horizon, now’s the time to stock up for the season.
When it comes to sunscreen, first check your leftover stock and throw away any containers that are past their expiration date. Before you shop for new sunscreen, be sure to brush up on the latest rules from the FDA regarding sunscreen labeling so you know what you should look for in a sunscreen product. This infographic we shared on Pinterest covers the basics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a hat with a brim that is wide enough to shield your face, ears, and the back of your neck to further protect the skin from over-exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. While straw hats are often seen in stores this time of year, the CDC warns that the small holes in these hats will let sunlight in. Instead, they advise purchasing hats made with tightly woven fabrics, such as canvas, for better protection.
It may be tempting to purchase the cheapest pairs of sunglasses you can find for the sake of your budget, but these sunglasses usually don’t offer good UV protection and typically aren’t durable enough to last more than one season. Most importantly, they won’t be effective in preventing the painful effects that come with “photokeratitis,” or sunburn of the cornea. Other eye issues linked to unprotected sun exposure include cataracts and cancer in the eyelids and the skin surrounding the eyes (The New York Times). When purchasing sunglasses for all members of your family, remember to look for shades that offer 99 to 100% blockage of UVA and UVB rays, fit comfortably, and are made of durable materials.
Real Kids Shades has sunglasses for kids of all ages that offer UV protection in stylish, durable frames that will withstand all that childhood throws at them. We also have a sun hat combo pack that includes a pair of wrap-style shades and a cute sun hat for babies up to 24-months (shown above). Visit our website today to stock up on shades for your kids for spring and summer.
Also, don’t forget about our Ski & Sun Giveaway! Enter now for your chance to win one of three prizes, all of which include sunglasses as a part of the prize.