Aruba Tanning Advice
One of the highlights of your Aruba trip will be hitting the beach and you'll be spoilt for choice since Aruba has so many beautiful beaches. Keep in mind that being relatively close to the equator, Aruba's sun is strong, and while the tradewinds do a great job at cooling you off, you should keep some things in mind.
Here are a few tips to ensure you get a good tan without the pain
- It is recommended to use sunscreen with a high SPF of 30 or more and one that protects from UVA and UVB radiation.
- Even if the sunscreen says it's waterproof, it is advisable to re-apply every couple of hours, especially after swimming.
- You can also look good and protect your eyes with a good pair of anti-UV sunglasses.
- Keep in mind Aruba's white sand and also the seawater reflects a lot of the sun's rays, so even if you are under an umbrella or swimming in the sea you could be getting a considerable amount of sun all over
- Likewise, even though the sky may be overcast, you could still be getting a good dose of those tan rays, so apply sunscreen even when cloudy
- Look for the UV index indication on Weather.com's Aruba page - the higher it is, the stronger the UVA/UVB concentration is expected to be. So slap on the sunscreen!
- Some people recommend going to a tanning salon before your trip to get your skin prepared, if that is a possibility for you, it could be a good foundation for your super Aruba tan!
The above tips can help ensure that you get your well-deserved Aruba suntan without the burn! In the unfortunate event that you do get burnt (falling asleep on the beach is one of the ways!) you're in luck because Aruba is known for some of the world's best aloe which is an excellent way to keep your skin moist after burning, in that way easing the discomfort while aiding the skin's natural healing process.
The best thing would be to use the gel directly from the aloe plant, and in Aruba, you will find plenty of those! Aruba also makes its famous aloe available in off-the-shelf products by Aruba Aloe which quite likely can be found at or near your resort.
Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen
Coral reef-safe sunscreen should be your GO-TO product for sun protection in Aruba. Aruba's Ministry of Environment announced that as of January 1st, 2019, the transition for a ban on sunscreens that contain oxybenzone goes into play. A full ban has gone into effect as of 2020 (all imports, sales, and production of sunscreen containing Oxybenzone will be penalized).
Reef-safe sunscreens can be found both Internationally and in Aruba. Some local providers include, but are not limited to: Aruba Aloe and Arubalife Organics
To view more information on why it is important to bring awareness to the matter of protecting the Ocean's coral reefs - See our blog, Aruba’s Chasing Coral Event: A Campaign to Save Our Coral Reefs and Inspire Action - here.