Lips

The skin on the lips is up to 11 times thinner than that of the face or body, and lips have no sweat or oil glands. This leaves the lips prone to dryness and more susceptible to damage. Unfortunately, we rarely think of putting sunscreen on our lips.

Sun-safe solution: Wear lip balm or gloss with SPF 15 or greater daily, whether you’re running errands or spending the entire day outdoors. Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy features SPF 15 is a shiny, sweet-smelling, pomegranate-rich gloss. NeoStrata Lip Conditioner SPF 15 moisturizes and protects the lips.

Ears

We seldom remember to protect our ears, which are sensitive to sun damage and skin cancer.

Sun-safe solution:Wear a wide-brimmed hat, which shelters the entire head from the sun. Also, apply sunscreen evenly to all exposed areas of skin around the ears, including behind the earlobe and on the outermost shell of the ear.

Try M.D. Forte Total Daily Protector SPF 15, a vitamin-enriched formula with allantoin, perfect for delicate skin. For children, try Mustela Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas SPF 50, a non-greasy formula designed especially for little ones’ sensitive spots.

Hands

Even though they’re exposed to UV rays every day, the hands are the last place to see sunscreen. Whether you’re working out outdoors or driving the car, your hands are highly vulnerable to sun damage. In addition to increasing your risk for skin cancer, UV rays can cause sun spots, premature wrinkles and discoloration, all of which add years to your appearance. Reversing this damage can be quite costly.

Sun-safe solution: Get into the habit of applying sunscreen to your hands before any outdoor activity — driving included. Cover the back of the hands completely, as well as the sides and each finger. During colder months, be sure to wear gloves to keep UV rays and dryness out.

Scalp and hair

Whether you’re bald or have thin strands or thick tresses, protecting your scalp and hair is key. The sun can damage the strands, drying them out and ruining color-treated hair. A sun-burned scalp is particularly painful.

Sun-safe solution: Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors. Also, apply spray-on sunscreen or leave-in protectant. Quintessence Q-Sunshade Leave-In Hair Conditioner is a broad-spectrum formula that protects and nourishes the hair. If you’re outdoors for a long period of time, be sure to reapply every two hours.

Other places

Other spots that people commonly miss include: the back of the neck, feet (tops and soles), behind the knees and the sides of the face.

See also:

Preventing Melanoma

A No-Sweat Summer Beauty Routine

10 Ways to Protect Your Skin

Treating Sun Spots with Lightening Products

A Brief History of Beauty