By Angela Vertucci 

As the weather gets hotter, and shorts get shorter, lots of girls (and guys too) take to the sunny outdoors or tanning beds to get the bronzed glow of a summer tan. It may be hard to fight the allure of the sultry summer sun, but if you don’t layer on the SPFs first, you’re doing your skin a serious disservice. Fortunately, there are easy ways to achieve a healthy, short-term color boost while avoiding sunspots, wrinkles, and dangerous skin cancers like melanoma down the road.

Sunscreen—use it! Whether you’re lounging on the beach, going for a run, or simply running errands around town, if you have to go outside you should be wearing sunscreen. According to WebMD, your sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 15. The SPF rating corresponds primarily to the amount of time your skin will be protected, though higher SPFs also deflect more of the sun’s damaging rays. As a point of reference, know that SPF 15 protects against 93 percent of harmful rays, while SPF 30 protects against 97 percent.

Fake that sun-kissed look by regularly applying a self-tanning lotion. Afraid of oompa loompa pigmentation? No worries! Sunless tanners have come a long way. It’s easy to find a lotion that matches your skin tone, and with proper application you can avoid uneven streaks. Oprah Magazine provides a comprehensive guide to choosing a self-tanner that’s right for you, identifying lotions that are “Best for Control Freaks,” those with the “Fastest Soak-In Time,” and everything in between.

Hydrate your skin with H2O! Drinking water is essential to healthy skin, allowing it to maintain a youthful elasticity. A common recommendation is to drink 64 ounces of water a day. Grab your water bottle!

Vitamins love your skin! So eat your fruits and veggies and take a daily multi-vitamin. Murad Skin Care Blog reports that fruits and vegetables not only provide your body with important vitamins vital for skin health, but make it easier for your body to absorb water, which keeps your skin hydrated. According to WebMd, when looking for a multi-vitamin that does the most for your skin look for one that contains vitamins C, and E as well as Selenium, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha-lipoic Acid, and Retinoic Acid (the active form of vitamin A).

Image Source: We Heart It