First and foremost, you should always wear a sunblock when outside. Especially you light-skinned, fair or freckled individuals. Skin cancer is on the rise quickly. Although we women think baking in the sun for that gold toned skin makes us beautiful, silky white skin is just as beautiful. Better to be healthy and pale!!

Physicists classify ultraviolet light into three types, by its wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC. The dimensions of their wavelengths are roughly 400 to 320 nanometers (nm) for UVA, 320 to 290 nm for UVB, and 290 to 200 nm for UVC. Although it may seem backwards, the shorter the wavelength and the lower the number, the greater the energy level of the light and the more damage it can do. For example, direct exposure to UVC for a length of time would destroy the skin. Fortunately, UVC is completely absorbed by gases in the atmosphere before it reaches the ground.

The higher the SPF rating the more protection you will receive. With that being said; be careful not to think because you use a foundation that has an SPF of 15 and a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 that you have the protection of SPF 30, it does not work that way!!

My aunt found a skin cancer near her eye. She had it removed. She found another on her hip, She had it removed. Years later........she had very bad stomach pain. The doctors felt it was her gall bladder. When they did the ultra-sound, they found a mass on her liver. It ended up being melanoma. It metasticized to her liver. She passed 5 1/2 months later.

PLEASE if you take nothing else from this HUB; please, take care of your skin so that it can take care of you! Always check and report suspicious marks, moles or rashes to your physician.

There are 5 basic skin types: Normal, Oily, Dry, Sensitve and Combination.

Your skin type dictates the proper way of caring for it. For instance, you never want to put oil based cleansers and cremes on oily skin or acne prone skin. Harsh products containing perfumes and chemicals should be avoided with those that have sensitve skin. Using all natural products like the many french skin care products available is the best bet for all skin types.

Keeping skin supple keeps it looking youthful and preserves it as well. Use a good moisurizer for the body after each shower. Pay close attention to those areas that tend to get drier, such as the front of the calves, the elbows and yes......your feet.

1. Never sleep with make-up on. Wash it off before bed. Get into the habit.

2. If you must use bar soap, use a mild one like Dove or Ivory. Facial cleansers made for your particular skin is much better.

3. Use a toner. If you have dry or sensitive skin, I would skip this step.

4.. Use a good moisturizer. No need to spend a fortune. There are plenty of good ones out there.

5. Sunblock!!!

6. Take care of the skin around your eyes. Tugging, pulling and wiping hard now can make for circles and wrinklles later. Use a good eye cream. Always use an eye make-up remover for your eyes. Vaseline is also a good solution.