The sun is important for our health, as the sun's rays provide us with vitamin D. We need it - especially when we're going through a cold and dark winter. That's why it's great to recharge in the warm rays of the sun during the summer months.

But the sun's rays can also cause damage. That's why you should always protect your skin with a good sunscreen and use sun care products that moisturise and keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

We tell you which sun products you should choose to best protect yourself from the sun's rays. We'll also guide you on how to choose the right aftersun in case your skin is damaged by the sun.

Read by Anne Thestrup Meimbresse

Anne, Varde Pharmacy
Anne has a MSc in Pharmacy from the University of Southern Denmark and has worked as a pharmacist at the Varde pharmacy for several years. Here she advises both costumers and doctors about the correct use of medical products.
Here you can see Annes profile »

Sunscreen - should it be used all year round?

Many people encourage you to use sun protection all year round - even in winter. As a minimum, you should always protect your skin with sunscreen if the UV index is 3 or more. This will often be the case as early as April.

The sun is at its highest in the sky between 12 pm and 3 pm during the summer months, so it's a good idea to stay in the shade during this time.

Ouch, did you get sunburnt?

Sunburn occurs when your skin is damaged by the sun's rays. It can manifest as redness, burning and irritation of the affected skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may also develop sun eczema, which is an itchy, red rash often accompanied by small bumps or blisters on the skin.

You should always avoid the sun completely until your sunburn or sun eczema has cleared up so as not to aggravate the skin problem. Always remember to moisturise and care for your skin in case of an accident. Read on below as we walk you through sun care in 3 easy steps.

Sun care in 3 easy steps

1) Use sunscreen

Protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays with a good sun cream. Apply sun cream 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun and choose the right sun protection factor. If you're travelling somewhere, where the sun is stronger, you should choose a higher factor than in your home country. Usually 15-30 spf is enough, but if your skin is very sensitive, a higher factor is a better choice.

2) Maintain your sun protection throughout the day

Remember to apply sun cream several times a day. This is especially important if you swim or sweat a lot. A handful is enough for your whole body, but too much is better than too little. If you don't use enough sun protection or often enough, you risk ending up with a sunburn.

3) Moisture, moisture and more moisture

Your skin needs plenty of care and moisture after a long day in the sun. Use a good aftersun to prevent your skin from drying out. Aloe Vera gel from Australian Bodycare provides plenty of moisture and keeps your skin nice and moisturised after sunbathing.

If the damage is done and you've suffered a sunburn, Aloe Vera gel can also be your saviour. Aloe Vera gel not only cools and moisturises, but also has a fantastic healing effect on the skin, helping it to recover faster from sunburn. Aloe Vera gel from Australian Bodycare also contains Tea Tree Oil, which keeps damaged skin clean and bacteria-free.

It's a good idea to put Aloe Vera gel in the fridge for half an hour before applying moisturiser, so that the cooling effect of the product really comes into its own. This is especially nice if you've been burnt.

Remember skin care after sunbathing

The sun's rays are great - in the right amount. Overdoing it and damaging your skin can result in age spots, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. So always remember to protect your skin with sunscreen.

If you've already had an accident and are looking for a good body oil to improve the appearance of your skin, consider nourishing and nourishing your skin with Body Oil, which contains Tea Tree Oil, Almond Oil, Sunflower Oil and Squalane. Body Oil has a smoothing effect and adds plenty of glow and nourishment to dry skin.