Tomorrow marks the first day of summer, which means longer days and hotter weather—the daily UV will be higher and sunscreen will be more important than ever. To find out more about American women’s sunscreen habits, beauty e-tailer SkinStore.com conducted a survey of 2,000 women across the U.S., and the results are startling.
Turns out, only 28 percent of women use an SPF on a daily basis, and a third of women only purchased a sunscreen product once a year. As we know from The Skin Cancer Foundation, on pool or beach days, you should apply 2 tablespoons (about the size of a golf ball or a 1 ounce shot glass) of sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outside. Therefore, if your sunscreen bottle is 8 ounces, it should only last you about eight full days of sun exposure. If you’re swimming or sweating heavily, you will also need to be mindful to reapply every two hours, even if your sunscreen label says water-resistant.
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Findings also show that more women (51 percent) are concerned about developing premature signs of aging than they are about developing skin cancer (48 percent). And although sunglasses are an important accessory to protect your eyes from bright sunlight and prevent the formation of crow’s-feet and crepey skin around the eyes, it was shocking to learn that 80 percent of women reach for their shades as a first precaution against the sun rather than SPF.
As SkinStore.com reports, “Sunscreen habits need to change in order for us to become a nation that stays safe.” We couldn’t agree more. Find a formula you love and be diligent about wearing it—there are plenty that don’t feel greasy or heavy, or leave behind a white residue—to avoid potential cancers. Getting regular skin checks with a dermatologist is also an important precaution.
