Her inspiration to develop a new sunscreen

Project Sunscreen was born in 2016, when CEO Rachel Henderson, who has a background in public health and education, wanted to create a better sunscreen for her kids. A skin cancer survivor, and now living in sunny California, she saw the need to encourage sun-safety habits and wanted to develop a product that kids will want to use. Having battled skin cancer for much of her adult life, she wanted to make sure her two kids didn't suffer the same fate by ensuring they practiced good sun-safe habits from an early age.

Should You Wear Sunscreen During Quarantine?

Strange days, indeed. At least right now. Thanks to coronavirus, normal routines are upended. Daily work/life balance has taken on a whole new meaning as days melt into one another and we parents are adding the title “educator” to our job descriptions. While playdates, holidays, and birthday parties may take on a different tone (thanks, technology!), and our kids learn a new term, “social distancing,” it’s more important than ever to maintain a sense of normalcy as we go about our days.

This means go outside and play. Sensibly.

On Becoming Hopelessly Devoted to Sunscreen

Did you know that just by being outside every day, you expose your skin to premature aging? It’s safe to say that most people underestimate the damage to their skin from brief daily sun exposure. 

Show your skin some love winter, spring, summer, and fall. All you have to do is add sunscreen to your daily routine. We’re not just talking about using sunscreen on your face. It is the constant UV damage to the skin on your arms, legs, chest, and hands that can give away your age. A top-notch sunscreen routine for the entire body is essential.

The Fundamentals of Sunscreen

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, in the past three decades, more people have had some form of skin cancer than all other cancers combined! To help lessen your chances, it’s essential to adopt smart and safe skincare habits into your daily routine. Dr. Ashely Magovern, Project Sunscreen’s co-founder and a board-certified dermatologist, says, “It’s simple to incorporate ‘the sunscreen habit’ into your routine when you find products you love.” An excellent place to start is with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s easy to apply and make sure you frequently use it throughout the day.

Let Us Count the Ways

Sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as their only active ingredients—like Project Sunscreen—are considered physical or mineral sunscreens. As opposed to chemical sunscreens, the active ingredients of physical/mineral sunscreens are not absorbed into the skin. They sit on top of the skin and block UV radiation from penetrating. We consider them safer than chemical sunscreens and less likely to cause skin irritation and allergy.