Raise your hand if you know you should be wearing sunscreen 365 days a year. Now keep your hand up, if you actually do it. *Cue a harmonious drop of hands* Even though every derm and skin-care expert preaches the importance of protecting your skin from the sun (yes, even when you’re not on the beach), we’ve all had days where we skipped it—intentionally or not.
That’s why we asked you on Instagram—yes, you—what stops you from wearing SPF every day. We got hundreds of replies, and then promptly took them straight to board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, for her advice on solving them. Find your go-to excuse below—and prepare to start slathering.
If SPF Isn’t Part of
Your Everyday Routine, Here’s a Solve for
Every Roadblock
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The most important reason for wearing SPF is preventing skin cancer, says Dr. Nazarian. But one of the positives of spending literally all your time indoors is you don’t have to worry about that, right? Wrong.
“UVA rays can penetrate glass and windows and are responsible for the development of skin cancers and skin aging,” Dr. Nazarian says. “Applying sunscreen daily—even if you’re staying indoors—will help you avoid years of cumulative damage, and preserve the beautiful skin you have for longer.”
“I barely spend any time outside.”
THE ROADBLOCK
THE SOLUTION
THE ROADBLOCK
“I forget.”
Honestly, same. But while this might be the most relatable roadblock, it’s also the most straightforward to fix—you’ve just got to figure out how to work it into your routine. Which according to Dr. Nazarian, is all about multitasking.
“The best way to sneak sunscreen into your regimen is to combine it with other steps that you would have done anyway,” she says. “Rather than creating a separate step for the sunscreen alone, find a product that does more than one thing.” For anyone after a glow-y look, see exhibit A: Australian Gold SPF 50 Botanical Tinted Face Lotion serves up subtle BB Cream-esque coverage (not to mention, antioxidant-packed botanicals) while protecting your skin. Talk about a triple threat.
THE SOLUTION
“I hate the texture.”
THE ROADBLOCK
SPF 30 Continuous Spray Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer
$11
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SPF 50 Botanical Natural Spray Sunscreen
$16
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SPF 50 Botanical Tinted Face Lotion
$15
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Shop Now
SPF 30 Botanical Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
$16
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Shop Now
THE SOLUTION
If the idea of applying sunscreen evokes visions of coating your skin in sticky, greasy goop, it sounds like you just haven’t found “the one” (yes, sunscreen soulmates exist). “There are a plethora of sunscreens that are cosmetically elegant and feel good on your skin—many that make your skin feel even better after use, and many that improve skin over time,” Dr. Nazarian says.
She recommends asking your derm for guidance along the way, but file this under good-to-know: “Chemical sunscreens tend to feel smoother on the skin, while mineral sunscreens tend to be gentler and good for sensitive skin.” A solid place to start? Australian Gold’s full suite of options, from bronzing to botanical to mineral.
If all the sunscreens you’ve tried have made your skin break out, that’s a major bummer—but just like the solve for the texture dilemma, Dr. Nazarian says it’s about trying several until you find the right one for you, with a little help from a derm if necessary.
But here’s the thing: Even if it looks like a breakout, it might not actually be one. “Although many people feel that their sunscreen is causing acne, it’s actually more likely their sunscreen is too irritating for their skin and causing inflammatory bumps, similar to pimples,” Dr. Nazarian says. Think that’s you? She recommends trying a mineral-based sunscreen to help with sensitivity.
Now that you’re officially ready to commit to your SPF relationship, look on the literal bright side: You’ve got an excellent place to start to find your sunscreen match (oh hey, Australian Gold).
“Sunscreen makes my skin break out.”
THE ROADBLOCK
THE SOLUTION
Don’t worry, you still will. “The reality is that you will still get vitamin D while wearing sunscreen,” Dr. Nazarian says, since no formula blocks sunlight entirely. Yay, vitamins! But also make sure that in addition to your SPF 30+, you’re still covering up and finding some shade when the sun is at full force.
Back on the vitamin D front, Dr. Nazarian recommends loading up on the nutrient via your daily menu (looking at you, mushroom omelettes and salmon burgers) or taking supplements. “Using radiation to achieve a vitamin is not recommended because of the risk...with UV-initiated skin cancers,” she says. Well, there you have it.
“I want to make sure I’m getting vitamin D.”
THE SOLUTION
THE ROADBLOCK
THE SOLUTION
THE SOLUTION
