Since 1996, May has been the Skin Cancer Foundation’s month devoted to informing people about being more health conscious when it comes to their skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the Foundation — there are over one million people diagnosed with skin cancer every year. So, in honor of this month and because summer is right around the corner, here are tips to protect you from the tantalizing sun’s harmful rays.

Sunscreen is the first thing we run to when in fear of sunburn. But how does it work? To understand how sunscreen works, you should know a little about the sun.

The sun releases two types of radiation that harm the skin: Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVB is what leads to sunburns. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and cause wrinkling, sagging and other harmful effects to the skin.

Most sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher do a great job of protecting against UVB. SPF is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer — about five hours.”

When shopping for sunscreen, choose SPF 15 or higher and you won’t burn. If you enjoy having tanned skin (and who in Southern California doesn’t?), using an SPF 15 will still allow your skin to tan. But beware — while the SPF is protecting you from UVB rays (the “sunburn rays”), the deeper UVA rays are still able to attack your skin and cause damage – unless your sunscreen specifically says it blocks UVA, too.

The sun actually breaks down DNA in skin cells when it is tanned. So, what’s the best way to maintain a healthy summer glow and not damage your skin? Self-tanners!

Self-tanning products work by temporarily dying the top layer of the skin. The color slowly fades as the skin cells naturally fall off. The dyed skin usually disappears within a week unless the lotion is reapplied.

Sure, some self-tanners out there used to make you look as orange as an Oompa-Loompa, but there have been major advances in the past couple of years. Many tanners are now available in light, medium and dark tones to match your skin color more naturally.

Inexpensive tanners that give you a bronze (not an orange) glow are Dove’s Energy Glow, Lancôme’s Flash Bronzer, Neutrogena Instant Bronze, Clarins Instant Self Tanning Gel, and Environmental Shield Self Tanner. All of these are reasonably priced and offer some great looking tans. Just be sure to use these sparingly on knees, elbows and ankles. Also, wash your hands immediately after using these products, or they will leave blotchy marks on your hands and nails.

Sephora just started selling Fusion Beauty’s Glow Fusion spray tanner. It’s a little pricey at $125, but it acts as your very own spray gun, like the kind you get when going to a professional salon. However, if you don’t trust yourself when applying these self-tanners, there’s always the option of going to a professional salon if you don’t mind spending a little more money.

Since summer is only two weeks away for us here at Biola, protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Try out some of these self-tanners if you really want that summer glow. Think back to when our parents were teenagers – they would have loved a tan in a can. And now your healthy, undamaged skin will love it too.