Be sure to apply your sunscreen after you've applied moisturizer or use a moisturizer that contains sunscreen. If you have an uneven skin tone, sunscreens are especially important. They will help protect your skin from further discoloration and speed the fading of dark marks. To maximize your protection, follow these guidelines:

Always apply sunscreen twenty to thirty minutes before you're exposed to the sun to allow your skin to absorb the product and create a protective shield.

Use sunscreen generously on all exposed skin face, neck, and hands. Apply at least a shot glass (about one ounce) of the product.

Store sunscreen away from the sun and heat to prevent spoiling.

Reapply it after vigorous exercise or swimming even if the product is labeled "waterproof."

Take note of expiration dates. If a bottle does not have an expiration date, toss it after one year.

Today, you can find sunscreen in a variety of skin-care products and makeup.

However, one recent study demonstrated that sunscreen in foundation wears off after only a couple of hours. It's best to apply sunscreen separately, under makeup, or in moisturizers that say SPF 15 on the label.

Safe Beach Behavior

Tanning is never a safe activity. For Brown women, it often takes very little sun exposure to turn skin dark, and many experience a phenomenon known as "immediate tanning" or instant browning of the skin. But since many of us go to the beach with friends or family near home or while on vacation, we should be aware of the following sun-safe precautions:

Apply SPF 30 sunscreen thirty minutes before going outside.

Plan to spend all or most of your time at the beach before 11 A.M. or after 3 P.M., when the sun's rays are least intense.

Wear light colored clothing to reflect the sun's rays. Avoid wearing black clothing or black swimsuits, which absorb the sun's rays. Also consider washing your clothes in Sun Guard, a detergent that puts an SPF of 30 into the clothing.

Wear a hat or visor and sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV rays.

Stay under an umbrella in unusually hot weather.

FirstAid for Sunburn

To soothe the pain of sunburn, take two aspirin every six hours and apply a cool compress, a cooling gel (containing aloe vera), or a topical anesthetic spray, A compress containing cold milk will reduce discomfort. An additional trick is to put the cooling gel in the refrigerator so that it will be cold on the skin,