Keeping safe from UV rays while vacationing in Colorado

Woman-applying sunscreen with baby

In the heat of the summer season, just after winter, when your body hankers for some sunlight, you long to spend all day sunbathing on the beach, or if you are in Colorado, you desire to indulge in all kinds of outdoor activities. The summer season brings with it various opportunities to enjoy yourself in the sun in Colorado. You could do white water rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, ziplining, or rock climbing to name but a few, before retiring to a luxurious vacation rental at the end of the day.

Sun exposure has some benefits if well done. One of the well-documented benefits is the ability of the skin to naturally produce healthy amounts of vitamin D in the sun, which will help you fight off some common ailments.

On the flip side, you also need to be aware of the power of the sun’s ultraviolet rays to damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Here below are some tips to help protect yourself and your family while having a great time.

Keeping Safe From UV Rays – Seek Shade


Wear A Hat


Kayaking Colorado

Protective Sunglasses






If wearing this type of clothing isn’t practical, at least try to wear a t-shirt or a beach cover-up. Keep in mind that a typical t-shirt has an SPF rating lower than 15, so use other types of protection as well.

Horseriding in Colorado

Use Sunscreen Everyday

Put on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before you go outside, even on slightly cloudy or cool days. Don’t forget to put a thick layer on all parts of exposed skin. get help for hard-to-reach places like your back. And remember, sunscreen works best when combined with all of the above options to prevent UV damage.

Chemical vs Physical Sunscreen

Each of these protects your skin differently and contains different active ingredients. Here’s a summary of the basic differences:

A chemical sunscreen:

The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are effective because they absorb the sun’s UV rays. Then, through a chemical reaction, the sunscreen dissipates the UV rays. This means that your skin is protected because the UV rays never actually hit your body.

A physical or mineral sunscreen:

Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, use two natural minerals, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide, as active ingredients. These minerals simply sit on top of your skin and protect it by deflecting UV rays.

rock climbing Colorado

Things to Remember


Reapplication: Sunscreen wears off. Put it on again if you stay out in the sun for more than 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.


Cosmetics: Some makeup and lip balms contain some of the same sun-protective ingredients used in sunscreens. If they do not have at least SPF 15, be sure to use other forms of protection as well, such as sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.

By Peak Property Management