Each month of the year is dedicated to certain health promotional topics, and one of November’s many awareness themes is “National Healthy Skin Month.” Your skin is what protects you, and that makes it that much more important for you to return the favor and protect your skin.

Your body has defense systems to ward off pathogens, and your skin is on your first line of defense acting as a barrier. It is vulnerable to many conditions, from eczema to dermatitis to skin cancer, and things you do can adversely affect your skin, making you more susceptible to pathogens.

Fall is finally upon us, and that means laying out and tanning skin naturally from the sun is no longer an option. Granted, sun bathing is not considered a “safe” option, and it can have negative effects on the skin, but other tanning methods are considered worse.

During this season, people tend to turn to tanning beds. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, indoor tanning (i.e. tanning beds or sun lamps) increases your risk of developing melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, by 75 percent. For the sake of avoiding unnecessary skin diseases, refrain from indoor tanning. Some safer alternatives would be self-tanning moisturizers, lotions and sprays.

An essential, item is sunscreen. One thing to remember when choosing sunscreen is to always check the labels. Some sunscreens can help prevent only sunburn, while others can help prevent premature skin aging and skin cancer, as well as sunburn. Look for the words “broad spectrum” when making your sunscreen decision. You will also want to select a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. However, simply having the sunscreen is not enough. It’s important to remember to apply and reapply whenever going outdoors and in the sun.

Skin cancer can also develop on the lips, so it is important to invest in lip balms also labeled “broad spectrum” with an SPF of 30 or higher. You will also want to cleanse your skin two times a day using a cream cleanser that is not overly drying or harsh on your skin. Then apply a moisturizer, preferably one with SPF. Your skin is your body guard, but sometimes even a body guard needs protecting.