Summer weather means spending more time outdoors, but it also means being careful to take better care of your skin. A single bad sunburn can increase your chances of skin cancer later in life, so it’s essential to protect your skin when you’re out in the sun.

You can enjoy spending time outside this summer while protecting your skin from the sun’s rays. Follow these tips to ensure your complexion stays beautiful all season long.

Always Wear Sunscreen

It may seem like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised by how many people neglect to take this simple step. When you’ll be outdoors for any amount of time (or even when you’re staying indoors!), take a few extra moments to apply sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen that’s appropriate for your skin type and has an SPF of at least 30. If you’ll be swimming, boating, or exercising, consider using waterproof sunscreen. You’ll also need to reapply every few hours, so check the instructions on the label. Nearly half of insured Americans state that they’re occasionally or often confused by their medical bills. To limit the chance of an expensive and scary diagnosis of skin cancer, it’s important to protect your skin with sunscreen.

Stay Hydrated

The human body is made up of nearly 80% water. If you become dehydrated, your body’s organs and systems won’t function correctly. When you’re out in the sun, you become dehydrated more quickly than usual. By the time that you’re thirsty, you’re already moderately dehydrated, so it’s important to hydrate regularly throughout the day. Drink water throughout the day in the summer. If you have trouble with the plain taste, consider adding fruit, infusing it with herbal tea bags, or trying one of the newer sugar-free hydration products on the market.

Wear Protective Clothing

When you’re near the water boating or swimming, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun with protective clothing. The sun’s rays reflect off the water and can cause a burn quite quickly. More than 87 million adults in the United States enjoy recreational boating. Before you grab your life jacket and head for the water, be sure to also apply sunscreen and put on your hat, as these items can help keep you safe from the sun’s rays.

Plan Outdoor Time Carefully

It’s crucial that you plan the time that you’ll be in the sun carefully to limit your amount of exposure. Ideally, stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to reduce your chances of sunburn. The American Cancer Society estimates that the number of new cancer cases in the United States equals 3,000. Many people are at risk for skin cancer. As temperatures warm up, people begin to travel and everyone heads outdoors. Wearing sunscreen is your first line of defense, but staying out of the sun during peak hours should also be on your to-do list.

Adjust Your Makeup Routine

If you regularly wear makeup, consider switching to a lighter foundation that includes sunscreen as one of the ingredients. That way, you don’t have to remember to put sunscreen on your face as a separate step each morning. Many all-in-one foundations and BB creams offer this feature, making daily sunscreen application easier to remember and helping to reduce the damage that the sun can do to the skin on your face. In general, you might want to switch to a more lightweight beauty routine to accommodate for sweat. You want a summertime glow, not clogged pores!

The sun can do quite a bit of damage to your skin before you even realize it, leaving you with a sunburn that you weren’t expecting. Protect your skin this summer by staying hydrated, applying makeup with sunscreen as an ingredient, and taking the time to apply sunscreen each day before you go outdoors. Avoiding the sun during the hottest hours of the day can also help prevent you from getting a bad sunburn. If you take prescription medication, you also may want to check the labels, as some medications have the side effect of increasing your sensitivity to the sun. Being careful around the sun can help limit your risk of developing skin cancer later in life, so take these important sun-safe steps this year.