The Sunscreen Lesson I Learned Too Late
If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of beauty advice, it would be this: wear sunscreen every single day.
As a child, I couldn’t wait for summer pool days. My sister and I would hop on our bikes and ride to the local pool almost every day. We loved it so much that we’d often call home and ask if we could stay until closing. My dad would bring us money for dinner from the concession stand, and looking back, I realize we seriously had the best parents.
I was one of those kids who always seemed tan. By the middle of summer, I had that golden-brown glow and didn’t think much about sunscreen. Our parents sent it with us, and we usually applied it at the beginning of the season. But once that tan appeared, the sunscreen use pretty much disappeared. Looking back, I also remember the peeling skin, occasional blisters, and those painful burns at the beginning of every summer.
In my twenties, I didn’t spend nearly as much time in the sun. Pool days were mostly behind me. Then came a float trip that I’ll never forget. I burned so badly that I cried myself to sleep that night. Hours on the water were brutal on my fair skin. I had applied sunscreen, but clearly not enough.
The next summer, I was determined not to repeat the experience. I wore a hat, applied sunscreen every hour, and became the only person in our group who didn’t burn. I spent the day offering sunscreen to my friends as if their lives depended on it. Most of them declined. Later that evening, while nursing painful sunburns, they all admitted they wished they had listened.
As the years have passed, I often think about something my mother told me. She said she wished she had worn sunscreen more consistently when she was younger. That simple comment stuck with me, and it’s one of the reasons sunscreen has become a non-negotiable part of my daily routine.
Why Sunscreen Matters
Many of us grew up chasing a tan without understanding the long-term effects of sun exposure. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are responsible for much of the visible aging we see on our skin. Daily exposure can contribute to:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Dark spots and discoloration
Uneven skin tone
Loss of elasticity
Increased risk of skin cancer
Even on cloudy days, UV rays can still reach your skin.
My Go-To Sunscreen
After trying several products over the years, I keep coming back to Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. It provides strong protection without feeling heavy or greasy, and it works well under makeup.
Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
You can find it here:
https://amzn.to/4vjSClx
Foundation with SPF Isn’t Enough
Many makeup products today contain SPF, which is certainly a bonus. However, most dermatologists agree that foundation alone doesn’t provide enough protection because we typically don’t apply it thickly enough to achieve the SPF listed on the label.
Think of SPF in your foundation as extra protection, not your primary sunscreen. Applying a dedicated sunscreen underneath your makeup is still the best way to protect your skin.
Top Sunscreens for Your Body
While I have my favorite sunscreen for my face, body sunscreen is just as important—especially if you’re spending time at the pool, beach, sporting events, or working in the yard.
Here are a few highly-rated body sunscreens worth checking out:
Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, this water-resistant sunscreen provides excellent protection and is easy to find at most drugstores.
Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, this water-resistant sunscreen provides excellent protection and is easy to find at most drugstores.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk SPF 60
This sunscreen is a favorite among dermatologists because it offers broad-spectrum protection while feeling lightweight on the skin.
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
For those with sensitive skin, this mineral sunscreen contains ceramides to help support the skin barrier while providing sun protection.
Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Lotion
This one has become popular for its pleasant scent and moisturizing formula. It’s water-resistant and works well for pool days and vacations.
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 50
If you like a sunscreen that feels more like a moisturizer, this formula absorbs nicely and leaves skin feeling soft.
My Best Advice
No matter which sunscreen you choose, the most important thing is to apply enough and reapply. Adults need about a shot-glass amount to cover their body, and sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours—or sooner if you’re swimming or sweating.
The best sunscreen isn’t necessarily the most expensive one. It’s the one you’ll actually wear every day.
Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this and sunscreen wasn’t a priority in your younger years, you’re not alone. Many of us spent summers chasing the perfect tan without realizing the damage we were doing.
The good news is that it’s never too late to start protecting your skin, even mature skin. A few minutes each morning can help prevent future sun damage.
Trust me—the older version of you will be thankful you started today.
Because it's never too late to start building financial confidence, one decision at a time.