Protecting your skin is important year-round. But with summer fast approaching, the sun’s rays are only getting stronger and the need for sun protection is at its peak. Now is the time to be sure your sun defense mechanisms are in place and that you and your family are prepared for days at the beach and other outdoor activities.

Chicago consistently rates among the worst cities in sun protection. In fact, just last year the American Academy of Dermatology’s “RAYS: Your Grade” survey reported that 40 percent of Chicagoans weren’t worried about skin cancer because of the city’s climate and short summer season. Regardless of where you live, skin cancer will develop in more than 1 million people throughout the nation this year alone. Have no fear; you don’t have to be one of the thousands of people in the Chicagoland area that make that statistic true. Here are just a few ways to stay safe while having fun in the sun:

Sunscreen smarts

For both men and women, protecting your skin is as easy as using a daily moisturizer during your morning routine. Pick one that contains sunscreen, such as Neutrogena’s Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 or Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. This will help reduce aging (think those nasty wrinkles) and photo damage that leads to skin cancer, according to Dr. Marjorie Rosenbaum M.D., who is in private practice in Chicago and a spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation (www.skincancer.org). “UV light effect is cumulative during your lifetime,” says Rosenbaum. “It does not occur from just sun bathing. Sun damage occurs from everyday exposure to UV rays if for five seconds or five hours.” It also is important to note the difference between sunscreen and sunblock. As the names imply, sunscreen filters out most of the harmful UV rays, while sunblock does just that - blocks the UV rays completely – and must contain titanium dioxide or zinc dioxide to do so. One good option is Blue Lizard’s Australian Sun Cream in SPF 30, which should do the trick for full protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Since fun in the sun often involves water, make sure your sunblock is waterproof. A recommended one is Coppertone’s Waterproof Sunblock Lotion, available in 15, 30 or 45 SPF. For active sun seekers, Coppertone Sport is a dry lotion that won’t run with perspiration and is available in 30, 40 or 45 SPF. For some, the SPF numbers may not mean anything, but they are important as they define how much UV protection is provided. SPF 15 protects against 93 percent of UV rays, while SPF 30 and 50 provide 96.3 and 98 percent protection, respectively. The key to protection isn’t only selecting the right formula for you, but also using it correctly. Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before you go outside. Once outside, apply sunscreen every two to three hours and finally, be sure to apply enough to adequately cover your entire body - usually 2 oz. or about enough to fill a shot glass.

Stealing the shade

The sun is at its most intense mid-day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. “Avoiding the sun is ideal, so choose activities either before 10 or after 2 to prevent subjecting your skin to the sun’s most harmful time of the day,” advises Dr. Robert Polisky, M.D. and board-certified dermatologist at Elk Grove Dermatology. “Outside activities can’t be avoided altogether, nor should they be, but you can time them wisely.” Besides timing, plant yourself in the shade of trees if possible. This will help prevent UVA and UVB rays, the rays that cause skin damage, from penetrating the skin.

Protective clothing

Another way to protect yourself from the sun is to wear clothing that filters or reflects UV rays. “People have the concept of using sunscreen, but using clothing as sun protection is not always a common practice,” says Rosenbaum. Rash Guard shirts are made for water sports, including surfing, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking, and are great for the beach as they provide 97 percent SPF protection. To protect more than what a shirt covers, there are also protective gloves and hats that can help provide total protection. If specialized clothing isn’t your style, simply wear a light cotton shirt over your tank top when the sun it at it’s most dangerous. Another great way to head off those UV rays is to wear a large (between three and four inches) rimmed hat. This will protect your ears and back of the neck - areas that are easily missed or forgotten when applying sunscreen. With a few proactive steps, your summer will be safe and fun for the whole family - and will keep you looking great for years to come.