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Summer is the time for fun in the sun and family adventures. It is also time to make sure we are being extra careful to protect and take care of our skin to keep it happy and healthy!
Disclosure: I’m proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy to help spread the word about #BetterHealthMadeEasy and how to #FindYourHealthy. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.
We kicked off summer the best way we know how to… a family vacation filled with pool and beach time, and we haven’t stopped yet! I really can’t remember a summer when we spent this much time in the sun! Even back home in Southern California, we have been in the middle of a heat wave for weeks, and I don’t see it cooling off anytime soon. It normally doesn’t get this warm until August, and by then all bets are off. We go into survival mode around here. If you haven’t noticed, those of us from So Cal are what I call weather wimps: we just don’t get enough of it to get used to it one way or another. We get maybe a month of what we would call warm weather, and forget about a real autumn or winter… they don’t exist around here.
What we lack in true weather experience we make up in other ways, like taking care of our skin. With all the sunshine we get, we also have been taught at an early age to protect our skin and treat it well. Slathering on sunscreen is like a state hobby in California, and one that I’m very proud of! But that doesn’t mean I don’t still have questions or need advice to make sure I’m not only protecting my skin as best as I can, but also my family’s too! Thankfully I have a go to person to ask all my questions too. I bet you have the same person where you live too, you just might not remember them. It’s our neighborhood CVS Pharmacy pharmacist!
Did you know that 70% of CVS Pharmacy pharmacists address patient questions related to skin concerns every day? They sure do, and they can answer your questions too! Plus there are MinuteClinic locations available to help diagnose and treat summer ailments like swimmer’s itch, poison ivy, sunburns and more. Your pharmacist is also a great resource even if you aren’t picking up a prescribed medication. They can help recommend the best over the counter medication for your symptoms too.
Definitely, ask your CVS Pharmacy pharmacist any questions you have this summer about your skin and also remember these important tips:
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- Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen. Most sunscreens aim to block out harmful UVB rays, but broad spectrum offers protection from both UVB and UVA rays that can also have damaging effects.
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- Stay indoors during dusk and dawn to avoid mosquito bites, this is when many breeds of mosquitos are at their peak biting time. If you do have to go outside, use a product like CVS Medicated Bite and Sting wipes to help keep bugs away.
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- Apply a cream with bentoquatam before a hike or outdoor activity. The cream will act as a barrier if you come in contact with poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac or other poisonous oil-based plants.
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- The most important thing for both mosquito bites and poison ivy is to avoid scratching. While it may provide instant relief, scratching can lead to cuts and infections. There are plenty of products such as CVS Health Itch Relief Cream and CVS Health Instant Itch Relief Spray to help resist the urge.
We are pretty good at remembering these tips and bringing our “must have” summer skin products with us, like CVS Health Itch Relief Cream, CVS Health Instant Itch Relief Spray, CVS Medicated Bite and Sting wipes, and CVS Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum Sun Lotion but the one thing we seem to forget the most is CVS Medicated Lip Care Stick SPF 30. We are good at protecting almost every part of our bodies from the sun and then forget our lips!
Thankfully CVS Pharmacy has us covered for all of these things and they make it easy to stop in and stock up with what we need no matter where we are. Plus it is pretty nice knowing that if we have questions we have an expert available to help in our CVS Pharmacy pharmacist.
I’m so big on suncare – always lather myself in sunscreen and where a rash shirt when swimming. I didn’t know you could get SPF lip gloss though – winning!
I have to admit I try and stay out of the sun these days, I don’t react well to bright sun rays, but I do try and make sure I have suncream on hand but I definitely need to get some SPF lip balm.
I am all about sun protection for my fair skin. I use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF. I burn just thinking about the sun!
I am having major vacation envy looking at these photos. But you make a very good point!
We have spent a lot of time this summer outside. We took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii and we were outside as much as we can get. A good sun block is irreplaceable.
I love CVS pharmacy brands, they’re just as good as the brand names and much more affordable. I also like the coupons and deals you get. 🙂
I always try my best to wear sun block! It’s so important (especially here in Phoenix, AZ!) I even have a moisturizer with SPF in it!
Sunblock is such a IMPORTANT thing for sure. The heat lately has been so insane that it is literally in the 100’s. I always seem to neglect my lips for sure.
We almost always remember the sunscreen, but that one time we don’t is a painful reminder why we need to remember!
Great tips for a fun filled and worry free summer vacation and activities. Will keep this article in mind this hot and sunny season.
Growing up in Florida – in the woods – I learned about the dusk-dawn hours for mosquitos – and staying indoors during peak sun hours (which means staying indoors most of the time. I haven’t ever heard of bentoquatam, though. I’ll have to look out for that. I live in the woods, now, and frequently see the friendly red-leaf plants.
This is excellent information for anyone spending time in the sun. It is so important to protect your skin!
CVS is my pharmacy of of choice (however, my insurance thinks otherwise) I love their generic options – saved me so much money
Sun protection is super important this time of year! I love the deals I can find at CVS, and definitely stock up on essential summer items!
Yes! Protecting us from the sun is really important and often slips our mind when we are having fun. We use lip balm during the summer too but have to check if they come with SPF.
I didn’t spend as much time outdoors as much I would love to but my son is. We don’t leave house without sunscreen. Summer here could be pretty hot and sunny!
Every summer I stock up on anti-itch cream and several other things. My children spend a lot of time outdoors. This is such a great reminder for parents.
I always put a bottle of sunscreen inside each of our bags whenever we’re going out on summer. For me, that’s a pre-requisite for us to enjoy the outdoors fully even under the scorching heat of the sun.