Prevention
Prevention
Much of what really helps the skin costs neither money nor complicated procedures. It comes down to habits: checking the UV forecast, not overheating the water, moisturizing on time and noticing changes. Below is a practical plan for every day.
Prevention for your skin isn't a row of products on a shelf — it's a few decisions throughout the day: which way to walk, what to wear, what water to wash with, and what time to go to bed.
What you'll need
- A weather forecast that shows the UV index
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- A gentle cleanser and a moisturizer that suit you
- Sunscreen and the directions on its label
- A phone with a camera to photograph your skin in good light
- A notes app or notebook for jotting down how your skin reacts to anything new
Start the day with the UV forecast
Check the UV index along with the temperature. According to WHO recommendations, sun protection is needed at a value of 3 and above, and extra protection at 8 and above. Clouds block ultraviolet only partly, so go by the index, not by how warm it feels.
Hypothetical example: the morning is cool and overcast, but the forecast shows a UV index of 3 — so the person still takes a cap and sunglasses for an afternoon walk.
Plan around midday
Ultraviolet is strongest in the middle of the day. Outdoor errands are easier to move to the morning or evening; during the day, stay in the shade of trees, awnings and buildings.
Hypothetical example: a family goes to the beach in the morning, moves under a canopy for lunch around noon, and returns to the water closer to evening.
Dress for sun and cold
In summer, light covering clothes and a hat protect the skin more reliably than products; in winter, gloves and a scarf shield it from frost and wind.
Hypothetical example: before a long bike ride, a person puts on a light long-sleeved shirt instead of a tank top.
Use sunscreen as directed
Sunscreen adds to shade and clothing but doesn't replace them. Apply it to exposed skin the way the label says, and reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
Hypothetical example: after a swim, a person dries off and reapplies sunscreen to the shoulders, face and backs of the hands.
Wash your face and hands gently
Warm water instead of hot, a gentle cleanser and carefully patting dry with a towel keep more moisture in the skin than a long hot shower.
Hypothetical example: a nurse who washes her hands many times a shift switched to warm water and started patting her hands dry instead of rubbing them.
Moisturize after water
Moisturizer works best applied soon after washing, while the skin is still slightly damp. The difference is especially noticeable in winter and during the heating season.
Hypothetical example: a person keeps a tube of moisturizer by the sink so they don't forget it after washing their hands.
Try new products on a small area
Before using a new product on your face or a large area of your body, apply a little to a small patch of skin and watch what happens. If there's redness, itching or stinging, it's better to stop using it.
Hypothetical example: a person applies a new product to the inner forearm, waits as long as the label suggests, and only then decides whether to keep using it.
Get enough sleep and notice changes
Regular sleep helps the skin recover. And once a season it's useful to calmly look over your skin in good light and compare it with old photos, so you notice anything new in time.
Hypothetical example: at the start of each season, a person has someone close photograph the moles on their shoulders and back and compares the pictures with earlier ones.
Common mistakes
- Going by the heat rather than the UV index: you can get sunburned on a cool, windy day too
- Treating sunscreen as a substitute for shade and clothing
- Applying sunscreen once in the morning and forgetting to reapply after swimming
- Washing your hands and face with very hot water, especially in winter
- Trying several new products at once: if irritation appears, you can't tell which one caused it
- Scrubbing the skin with a rough washcloth or harsh scrub to get it “cleaner”
- Putting off a doctor's visit when a mole is changing or a sore won't heal
If it doesn't work out
- If your forecast doesn't show the UV index, find a weather service that does, or assume that protection is needed around midday in summer
- If there's no shade during the day, use an umbrella, covering clothes and a hat
- If the skin on your hands keeps cracking despite moisturizing, show it to a dermatologist or primary care doctor
- If you're not sure a product suits you, ask a dermatologist and bring the package to your appointment
Check yourself
- You know where to check today's UV index
- On sunny days you spend the midday hours in the shade
- You have a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- You use sunscreen the way the label directs
- You wash your hands with warm, not hot, water and moisturize afterward
- You try new products on a small patch of skin first
- You know which skin changes call for a visit to a dermatologist
Situation — what helps — when to see a doctor
| Situation | What helps | When to see a doctor |
|---|---|---|
| A sunny summer day | UV index forecast, midday shade, clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen as directed | A severe burn with blisters, chills, weakness or headache |
| Frost and wind | Gloves, a scarf, a protective product before going out, moisturizing in the evening | Patches of skin turned white and lost feeling, or blisters appeared after warming up |
| Frequent hand-washing | Warm water, a gentle cleanser, patting dry with a towel, moisturizing afterward | Cracks bleed, skin is inflamed, dryness persists despite care |
| A new cosmetic product | A patch test on a small area, one new product at a time | Severe itching, swelling, or a rash beyond where it was applied; for facial swelling or trouble breathing, call 112 or 103 (or your local emergency number) |
| Breakouts in a teenager | Gentle cleansing, no squeezing, a calm conversation without blame | Breakouts are painful, leave marks or upset the teen a lot |
| A mole or spot has changed | Photos in good light for comparison, a note on when you noticed the change | Always — a scheduled visit to a dermatologist without long delays |
See also
- Topics
Topics in four groups: sun and light, water and cold, care and ingredients, skin changes. Plus the article catalogue.
- Methods
Sun protection, cleansing and moisturizing, calmly keeping an eye on your skin, and photos for comparison.
- Questions
Questions about sun, dryness, irritation and moles that are worth discussing with a dermatologist or primary care doctor.
- Gentle scrubs (in Russian)
A note at an archived address: why exfoliate, when it's better to hold off, and how not to harm your skin.
Sources
- WHO — Global Solar UV Index: A Practical Guide
- Manufacturers' directions for cosmetic products
- General dermatologist recommendations on skin care
This page reflects generally accepted views on skin care as of the date it was prepared. If your skin behaves unusually or something worries you, make decisions together with a dermatologist, not based on the text of this reference.