There is perhaps nothing worse than reaching the second day of your holiday to find that your skin is stiff, you are in severe pain and 10 hours of travel has not been kind to your skin.
Particularly affecting those with fair skin and those who don't go to the necessary measures to protect their skin, sunburn is a common source of irritation for many travelers.
Not only is sunburn bad for your skin, but it is also bad for your mental health as well. The sun cannot be ignored - bad sunburns tend to harshen up your skin on a long holiday.
Besides that, premature aging of the skin is also a concern. With the addition of a layer of petrol jelly or cream, the elderly person's skin becomes like a white, greasy canvas.
The skin cancer pandemic
While we tend to be squeamish about skin cancer let's not kid ourselves - getting cancer is definitely bad news. On the other hand, let's not organize a beach volleyball match between the kids either.
A better approach might be to get sunburn cream and educate your family and friends to wear UV-protective clothing outdoors.
Better still is to join a group of branded sunscreen users, as the Sun Safe Brand. The sun safari brand has a number of different types of waterproof, sun protective clothing and even has a couple of hats to choose from.
Are you afraid of the sun?
So you're actually thinking of taking off on a beach vacation?
Worried about the sun's harmful rays?
Then, it's probably best to check out the beach before you head off to the fridge.
Many of the most popular beaches in Australia belong to the World Heritage List. This means they are of particular natural beauty, are a heritage of Australia and have a significant amount of cultural significance.
As such, you are well within reach of a legendary location for sunbathing, maybe even experiencing it for the first time.
Backpacker essentials for a beach holiday
There will be those early morning hours when you feel remarkably un-bookish. Or late afternoon when everyone's headed home with their heads tilted towards the sky and feet totally singed.
Below are the things you absolutely must carry for your sunbathing holiday:
1. Sunscreen - We're not going to lie, we kids like to lounge outside, we're sorry.
2. Shades or goggles - You won't see the forest for trees.
3. Sunbox - You're going to need that to protect your skin from the light and also to cut down on development during the day.
4. Swimmer suit - This is likely to be the most memorable piece of clothing you decide to don for the trip.
5. Moisturizer - to maintain the moisture in your skin
6. Salty hand gel - To minimize the dryness.
7. Eyewear - For those gazing nippy skies.
8. Snorkel - The ability to look underwater will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the beaches.
9. Body glove - For cold, wet weather.
10. Thermals - Comfort is key when spending time in the ocean - wear them!
While we're on the subject of make-up, aren't you supposed to be working in the sun? Make sure you bring along a workshirt or bikini. Although belts are timeless, jeans are a better idea.
Wear light layers and keep things comfortable. Don't forget to apply sunscreen. Do not leave the beach with cuts, ointments, or injuries.
While we're on the subject of important items, what about the beach chair? Well, there are all sorts of great ones on the market. Personally, I enjoy a fold-up chair that has a cover, a blanket or a chair pad. They are very comfortable and, when folded, make a small package.
There are also fantastic beach umbrellas, each with its own benefits. If you are into the over-sleeping-time end of beach holidays, these may not be ideal, as they could be opened or torn. If you're looking at them for kids though, you'll immediately realize how much they reduce the possibilities of getting soaked.
There is a ton of information about both sorts of beach chairs online. The sort of information you need to be looking for is - fold-up, standard, deluxe, and sun loungers.
By browsing a suitable range of sun chairs, you can be guaranteed to find one that many will be thrilled to have in their hands.