You know that feeling when you step outside on a hot July afternoon and the sun hits your face like a warm blanket? It feels good for a second, but if you are smart about your skin, you also feel a little warning bell go off. That sun is doing more than just making you sweat. It is slowly, quietly working on the wrinkles that you will see five or ten years from now. And while you already know you should wear sunscreen every single day, there is another thing that does a whole lot of the wrinkle-fighting work for you. It is something you probably already own, but you might not use it the right way. I am talking about a good sun hat.Think about it. Your face gets hit with sun from above, from the side, and even from reflections off the pavement or water. Sunscreen is great, but it wears off when you sweat, when you swim, or even just after a couple of hours of being outside. A hat does not wear off. It sits right there on your head, blocking the sun from ever reaching your forehead, your nose, your cheeks, and the delicate skin around your eyes. That is the area where crow’s
feet and frown lines show up first. If you can keep the direct sun off that skin, you are already miles ahead.Now, not all hats are created equal. That cute little baseball cap you wear for errands? It covers your
forehead and the top of your nose, but your cheeks, your jawline, and the sides of your
eyes are still wide open. The same goes for a visor. You need a hat with a wide brim that goes all the way around, at least three inches. When you wear a wide-brimmed hat, you are basically creating your own portable shade. The sun hits the brim, and your whole face stays in shadow. That shadow is your best friend because it stops the sun from hitting your skin directly.You might be thinking, but it is summer, and a hat feels hot. Actually, a good hat made from natural materials like cotton, straw, or even a lightweight polyester weave can keep you cooler than having the sun beat down on your head. The key is to choose a hat that breathes. Look for one with a loose weave or small ventilation holes. And here is another tip that really makes a difference: the color. A dark-colored hat blocks more sun than a light-colored one. Yes, it might feel a little warmer, but it also stops more of those sun rays from bouncing around and sneaking onto your face. If you really want to be smart about it, check the tag for a UPF rating. That stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and it is just like SPF but for fabric. A UPF of 50 means the fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun. That is serious protection.But let us be real. You do not need to walk around looking like you are heading to a garden party every single day. There are plenty of stylish wide-brimmed hats that look good with jeans and a t-shirt or a
summer dress. A floppy straw hat is classic and feminine. A fedora with a medium brim can be chic and modern. Even a simple bucket hat with a wide brim is coming back in style and does a great job. The point is to find one that you actually like and that fits well so you will actually wear it.I know what you might be thinking. What about hat hair? That is a real concern, especially if you have long hair or you are going somewhere nice after being outside. There are ways around it. One trick is to wear a silk or satin scarf under your hat. It protects your hair from the friction and keeps your style from getting flattened. Another option is to use a
dry shampoo or texturizing spray before you put the hat on. And honestly, for the sake of keeping your skin young and smooth, a little bit of floppy hair is a small price to pay.Remember, no hat is a total replacement for sunscreen. You still need to put a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on every part of your face and
neck that is not covered. But here is the great thing: when you wear a hat, you use less sunscreen on your
forehead and nose, which means you do not have to reapply as often in those spots. And the sunscreen you do put on lasts longer because the hat is keeping it from getting baked off by direct sun. It is a win-win.Summer is supposed to be fun. You should be outside, enjoying the pool, the park, the backyard, or the beach. You should not have to hide indoors every time the UV index is high. A good sun hat is your ticket to being out in the world without worrying that every ray is taking a little bit of your youthful skin away. It is simple. It is cheap compared to fancy creams and treatments. And it actually works. So before you step out tomorrow, grab your favorite hat and put it on. Your future face will thank you.
