We all know about the importance of sunblock, but did you know that you can decrease your risk of sunburn in other, all-natural ways?

Wear protective clothing—cover up with SPF-rated clothing and a hat made of tightly woven material and a brim at least five inches all the way around.

Wear sunglasses with full-spectrum UV protective lenses.

Stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

Protect yourself from the inside with a nutrient-rich diet that boosts your body’s natural defenses. Some nutrients are cellular warriors, defending your skin from the aging effects of the sun and even undoing some of the damage.

Green tea contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which prevents cancer and aging inflammation.

Antioxidant-rich foods (fruits and vegetables) protect against damaging free radicals—highly reactive molecules responsible for everything from wrinkles to dryness. Here’s a list of antioxidants that you may recognize:

Vitamin A (dark green vegetables) including beta-carotene, lycopene (cooked tomatoes), and lutein boost skin-cell turnover.

Vitamin C (citrus) strengthens collagen, the protein fiber that keeps skin from sagging. Just a few minutes of UV exposure interferes with collagen production.

Vitamin E (almonds)

Zinc and Selenium

Essential Fatty Acids or Omega 3s (salmon, trout, canned light tuna, sardines, or Atlantic mackerel) are anti-inflammatory, protecting against sunburn and repairing skin cells damaged by the sun.

Flavanoids (dark chocolate) such as pycnogenol and grape seed extract

Do you have any favorite sunhats or accessories that you’d like to share with our readers? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter, and take these simple steps to start protecting yourself from the sun naturally in Los Angeles today!