Basking in the Summer Sun: How to Protect That Gorgeous Skin

Warm weather is upon us, and you know what that means -- it's time to hit the beach! But whether you burn like a lobster or tan like a gorgeous goddess, you really must protect that gorgeous skin of yours. With every day that passes, we learn about more cases of skin cancer caused by the sun's harmful rays. Luckily, there's a whole slew of products out there designed to keep your skin healthy while still letting you get that sun-kissed glow. From the faux glow found within bronzers and fake tanners to sunscreens that will help you tan the healthy way, we've got the roundup of products to keep your skin healthy.

BRONZED BEAUTY
Dying for that sun-kissed, golden glow that only comes from laying out on the beach all summer? We'll let you in on a little secret -- bronzer can create that same pretty flush without any harmful UV rays. So how do you apply this secret weapon and make it look natural? Just be sure to dust it lightly across all the areas of your face where the sun might hit -- cheeks, nose, forehead and chin -- and you'll be left with skin that looks totally au naturel. Here are some of our faves.

Hollywood Glo
We totally dig the bottle, which feels so 1940s glam. And the creamy color within will add a subtle-yet-sexy luminescence to the skin.
$24 at benefitcosmetics.com




mark Glow Xpert Face Shimmer
This baby reflects light, brightens your complexion and can even be mixed with moisturizer or foundation. Better still, it comes with an applicator for perfect, even application every time.
$8 at avon.com



Urban Decay Santa Tanita Body Bronzer
When you're going for that golden glow, don't forget the rest of your body! The spray mousse dries evenly and includes a self-tanner that darkens over time to create such natural color, you'll look like you just spent two weeks in the Caribbean.
$28 at beauty.com


Sunsheen Bronzing Trio
Prescriptives always saves the day with custom-blended makeup that will make you feel super-special. This compact is no exception -- with its three shades and the ability to choose from Light, Medium or Dark, your skin will never look better or brighter.
$30 at prescriptives.com




AT-HOME COLOR WITH SELF-TANNER
Self-tanners can feel icky, streak uncontrollably, turn your skin orange and smell horrible. We've heard it all before. But there are literally tons of fabulous options out there these days that will make you look and feel fabulous without any of those side effects! Self-tanners are formulated with DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a colorless sugar that interacts with your skin's dead cells to create a change in color. Whether you're looking to go from Casper the Friendly Ghost to Bronzed Sun Goddess in one sitting or ten, there are options out there for you. Beach not necessary.

Bliss Tan for All Seasons
Don't have the time -- or money -- to head to Bliss for a one-on-one self-tanning session? Never fear! The formula in this bottle contains DHA and erythrulose (to create that perfect color), sun set bronzer (so you can actually see what the color will look like before it sets into the skin), and pyrus malas fruit extract (which fights damage from radicals). The end result? Golden, glowing skin from head to toe.
$36 at blissworld.com

Jergens Natural Glow Express Body Moisturizer
We are totally and completely in love with this product. Not just your normal moisturizer, this one is formulated with a self-tanner that makes your skin darker with each application. But it stops before you reach that horrible orangey hue that so many celebs seem to embrace these days. Plus -- no streaking!
$6.74 at drugstore.com

Radiant Bronze Face & Body Tinted Self-Tanner SPF 15
Not only does this deepen with each application to create that gorgeous glow, it's even got SPF built in to protect your skin as it moisturizes. Amazing, right?
$18.50 at clinique.com



TANNING WITHOUT PUTTING YOURSELF IN HARM'S WAY
So even though you've been hearing for years now that tanning is bad for your skin, you can't help it -- you still want to bask in the sun's rays this summer. What good is the beach without sunning yourself on a blanket, right? If you insist on getting color this way, at least slather your skin with sunblock or sunscreen first. That way, you'll protect yourself from harmful UVA and UVB rays and cut down on the risk of skin cancer -- not to mention that horrible leathery look that tried-and-true tanners seem to get after too many years. Just make sure to let it sit on the skin for about 15 minutes before jumping into the pool or ocean -- and reapply every two hours for the best, safest results. Here are our picks for the ones we'll be toting to the beach this season.

Korres Natural Products Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 20 in Watermelon
Watermelon extract helps to protect against UV rays while shea butter keeps skin soft and supple ... and the formula is water-resistant, so go ahead and jump those waves!
$25 at beauty.com


Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30
We love the high SPF and the fact that it's oil-free, which means it won't be slick or slippery.
$30 at sephora.com




Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock SPF 45
Perfect for those days right at the beginning of summer when your skin is still a bit too pasty for your liking! We used this during our trip to the beach last summer and stayed sunburn-free the whole eight days. Pretty impressive, huh?
$8.94 at target.com