1. Protect with PLE – If you are concerned about the effects of sun damage on the skin, consider taking an oral supplement that offers photo-protection, such as polypodium leucotomas extract, or PLE. Recent clinical research has found that this extract from a South American fern has powerful antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Native Americans have been using it to treat inflammatory disorders and skin diseases for centuries.

2. The tan won’t last – As you age, the pigment in your skin is less active, with the result that your skin will tan less easily with time. Take notice of this simple fact to ensure you don’t accidentally stay out in the sun longer than safe limits. If you like the look of a tan, rely on self-tanning products, which will be more effective than your own body’s pigment capabilities.

3. A safe tan – When your skin turns brown it has been burned, and damaged cells will always contain some residue changes that stay in our DNA and which over time can result in cancerous cells. The only safe tan is a fake one, where the active ingredient DHA reacts with proteins in our skin to stain it and make it darker in color.

4. Take cover at the hottest time – Never spend more than 4 hours a day lying out in the sun, and take cover inside during the hottest hours of the day between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun is at its most powerful and exposure of the skin should be avoided. Hair and eyes can also be damaged, so cover up with a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses.

5. Stay young without sun – Exposure to sunlight leads to premature skin aging and the cumulative effects of wrinkling, blotchy pigmentation, and roughness. Sun damaged skin is easier to bruise and is less elastic.

6. Use SFP 30 everyday – To avoid the damage of the sun can do to your skin, it is essential to limit the time you expose your body to direct sunlight. Get into the habit of applying a face sunscreen everyday. It should be SFP 30 and contain a good level (4-5% or more) of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or Parsol 1789 (also called avobenzone) among the active ingredients.

7. Hands off – Sun damage affects all over your body, not just the face. Cover your hands with an SFP 20 or more when you spend time in the sin to avoid photo-aging and liver spots, the telltale signs of aging.

8. Slap it on – Most people apply sunscreen to their face and body at the start of the day and forget about it. During a typical two week beach holiday, when you are exposed to sun on a daily basis, you should expect to get through two 8 fl oz bottles of sun protection, so keep applying it throughout the day.

9. Don’t do sun beds – Although a sun bed does not expose the body to UVB rays (the ones that affect the outer layers of the skin and cause sun damage), it can still cause burning and premature aging because the intensity of the UVA rays is so strong.

10. Winter protection – Although we often remember to protect ourselves from the sun in summer, it is equally important throughout the year. Always wear a moisturizer with an SPF and sunglasses. When the winter sun appears, especially if you are out in the snow, which reflects the light.

11. Cloudy day damage – If you want to avoid liver spots and sun damage you should be wearing an antioxidant moisturizer that contains a sunscreen all year round. Look for one that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block the sun.

12. Leg check – The most common place to develop a malignant melanoma is on your legs, so make sure you check them regularly for freckles or moles that have changed shape or are seeping blood. It is tempting to sunbathe without protection on your legs, as they don’t show wrinkles in the same way as the face, but resist.

13. Get prepared – Don’t wait until you are out in the sun to apply a protective lotion to your skin. Sunscreen needs time to work so smooth it on about 20 minutes before you go outside, and don’t be stingy with it – use liberal amounts.

14. Sun safety for dark skins – All skin needs protecting from harmful UVA and UVB rays, and while pale skin must use a higher SPF, even people with dark skin should never use anything lower than an SPF 15.

15. Gray day protection – A good day moisturizer not only kickstarts circulation after the nocturnal shutdown, but also helps to fight the damaging effects of the sun even in winter and on gray days.

16. Genetic testing – a cancer expert has developed a new skin test called Skinphysical, which can read the sun damage in your DNA. The results determine how much damage has already occurred and how to maximize your protection in future years. See www.skinphysical.co.uk.

17. Sun sensitive perfume – Avoid wearing fragrance that contains alcohol when sunbathing as it makes skin photosensitive, and can result in dryness, burning, and pigmentation. The eau de toilette version of your favorite perfume will usually have a lower alcohol content.