Exercising al fresco

Getting outside and active can certainly have its benefits. Tanning while toning? It's a yes from us! Cancer Research UK and Nivea Sun have teamed up to encourage people to enjoy the sun safely – here are their top summer exercise tips.

When's best to be outside?

The sun’s UV rays are strongest in the middle of the day (between 11am and 3pm) so if you’re out then, it’s best to aim for the shade. Pick a tree to work out under in the park. Or schedule your exercise for before or after work instead. The sun can be strong even on cloudy days in the summer, so remember to check the UV index where you are – it’s on most weather forecasts or check out metoffice.gov.uk/uv. If it’s three or more, think about whether you need protection.

Pick the right sunscreen for you

Cancer Research UK recommends using sunscreen with at least SPF15 and four or more stars on parts of your body you can’t cover up with clothes. It can be easy to miss bits or for it to rub off while you’re exercising, so it’s really important to use a generous amount and reapply regularly. If you’re out working up a sweat, waterresistant sunscreen might be a good choice. Nivea Sun products contain highly effective UVA and UVB filters for immediate protection.

Make-up vs. sunscreen

Make up that contains SPF isn’t great for protecting your skin. Even if your make-up label claims to offer sun protection, you’d need to apply several times the normal amount of foundation to get even close to the level of protection stated on the bottle – and let’s face it, that just wouldn’t look good. And you’re also highly unlikely to reapply make-up regularly. No one wants sweaty foundation melting off while you’re exercising anyway, so own your natural beauty and just stick with the sunscreen.