Although the summer season officially begins June 21st, Memorial Day weekend traditionally kicks off beach season. In New York our temps were up to nearly 90 by last Friday and the sun really came out to play. Without sunscreen even my medium-tone skin was turning pink in under 30 minutes!

Of course, now that college semesters are ending and kids are going to be home from school, it is also vacation season. This can mean sunny destinations and increased time spent outdoors. While most dermatologists recommend year-round sunscreen, summer is the time when people suffer the worst sunburns. Even one bad sunburn can increase your risk for developing skin cancer in the future, which can be mild or fatal.

Sun exposure can also irreparably damage your skin in other ways, such as premature aging, wrinkles, severe burns, and other skin conditions. Even the sexiest tan is not worth wrinkles down the line (pun intended), and it’s certainly not worse risking your healthy or your life.

Even though those who are fair-skinned and the very young are at a higher risk for severe burns, everyone should use sunscreen! It isn’t just for the fair-skinned. People of any age or race can suffer burns as well as develop skin cancer.

Here are some of my favorites:

Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40

This lightly tinted high-level daily sun protection comes in a sheer, weightless formula. It’s great alone or as a makeup primer. I have super sensitive skin, so I love Clinique’s products. This one is oil free so it’s great for any skin type. It offers SPF 40 protection from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays. I wore this everyday in Turks and Caicos last August and it worked great protecting my skin from sunburn. It also contains antioxidants and helps protect against environmental irritants.

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion, 50 SPF, Ultra Sweat-Proof

In the warmer months, I spend a lot of time outdoors. I love to exercise outdoors and this is perfect for when I am running, biking, skating, or swimming. Coppertone Sport Lotion is a high performance, ultra sweat-proof sunscreen that bonds to your skin on contact. It won’t run into your eyes and sting them. The breathable, ultra dry formula doesn’t leave a greasy residue that could adversely affect your grip while being active. This formula is also oil free, hypoallergenic, waterproof, and PABA-free and provides UVA/UVB protection. It’s also available anywhere from SPF 15 to SPF 70+ and in spray-on versions.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55, 70 & 85

This ultra-sheer dermatologist-tested formula contains Helioplex® technology, the latest breakthrough in UV protection. Helioplex® delivers unbeatable UVA protection. It works better to help prevent damaging UVA rays from penetrating deep under skin’s surface. Its Dry-Touch technology absorbs excess sunscreen oils, leaving a clean, lightweight, non-shiny finish. This one is waterproof, sweat-proof, PABA-free and on-comedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores.

Coppertone NutraShield™, Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 – SPF 70

This one is now on sale at Drugstore.com. I absolutely love this product. Coppertone® NutraShield™ with Dual Defense™ combines superior, photostable UVA/UVB sun protection plus nourishing antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals that contribute to the visible signs of aging. The ultra-sheer formula moisturizes your skin yet won’t clog pores so it’s perfect for everyday use. It retains SPF after 80 minutes of activity in the water or sweating. There’s also a version specifically for your face.

Don’t forget to wear lip-gloss or balm with SPF in it. There are some with an SPF up to 70, which is great because the skin on your lips is thin and extra sensitive. Other areas to remember are scars, your ears (especially the top), your scalp and hairline – especially where you part your hair, under your arms and behind your knees, the tops of your feet and even the bottoms of your feet!

The Clinique Sun SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick is great for protection against the aging and burning effects of UVA and UVB rays for fragile areas like the skin around your eyes, your lips, nose, earlobes, as well scars. Enhanced UVA defense helps guard against premature aging.