SUN'S OUT!

Wearing Sunscreen 4 All Seasons is Good Sense

We're heading head-first into Fall. Depending on where you are, long-sleeves, light sweaters, and anything pumpkin spice is starting to take the place of shorts and t's. 

But, hold on! Don't put away that sunscreen just yet! The weather may be cooler, and you may not "feel" the sun hot on your skin, but trust us, it's there, working as hard as it ever does. Sunscreen isn't just for the beach anymore. 

Exposure to the harsh rays of the sun doesn't just happen when lying on the beach somewhere. In other words, just because you don't feel it burning doesn't mean it isn't strong. Most of our exposure comes from walking around, driving, reflections from the sidewalk, and everyday life. While the UVB rays may get somewhat dampened by the clouds, the sneaky UVA rays are ever-present, and working just as hard in October and November as they are in June and July. 

So, while you may not want to smell like coconuts, sand, and surf* during the colder months (we don't understand why not, but you do you), sunscreen is an important habit all year long to develop. Why? Here are a few good reasons:

• Minimize Your Risk: We know that prolonged sun exposure increases your risk of skin cancer. But, as we have learned, sometimes those short bursts of sunshine are the most harmful: According to Cancer Research UK, short, intense exposure to the sun puts you at an even higher risk of melanoma.
• Wrinkles and Aging: Just by being outside every day, your skin suffers from premature aging, an effect known as photoaging - the wrinkling and loss of elasticity caused by exposure to the sun. "Age prevention" is not just for baby boomers, though. Those in their 20s and 30s are taking care to protect their skin. This starts with regular use of sunscreen, a point underscored by a research report published in Annals of Internal Medicine. The research project was conducted at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia and is the first to quantify sunscreen's anti-aging properties.
• Protect Yourself and Skin: They don't call them "sunburns" for nothing. Sunburns, are not only red and painful; they are physical injury and damage to cells in the epidermis layers (top three) of the skin. The skin responds by increasing blood flow to heal, and the exposed areas get red, swollen, painful, and almost hot to the touch. Daily use of sunscreen protects your skin from the sun's harsh UV rays, significantly reducing the risk of sunburns. 

The seasons may change, the temperature may dip, but good habits are evergreen. Apply sunscreen all day, every day – even cold and cloudy days, and through the seasons. The reality is that you are exposed to the sun's harmful UV rays anytime you are outside. It doesn't matter if there is the full-on sun, cloud cover, hot or cold. 

*Regarding "coconuts, sand and surf"- Project Sunscreen is fragrance-free, so no worries about that ☺.

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We look forward to “hanging” out with you!