As the end of the school year approaches, and summer rolls in full-speed, we’re all looking forward to spending some time soaking up the sun. While that time outside may feel great, it isn’t the best for your skin without the right protection. Before you flip the page because I sound too much like your parents, give me a second to actually give you reasons to care rather than just saying to use it “because I said so.” 

The first and most obvious reason to use sunscreen is to prevent skin cancer. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation states, “Regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent, and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent.” Lack of sunscreen use can also cause premature aging. No one wants to start developing wrinkles and saggy skin earlier than they have to. Lucky for you, with proper use you can preserve your skin in all its teenage glory for years to come. 

One thing that’s important to emphasize is that sunscreen can and should be used by everyone. It’s a common misconception that only people with lighter skin types need to use sunscreen. However, shutting down this rumor, is a Q&A article posted on Harvard Health Publishing that states, “Given that darker-skinned patients have a very low risk of skin cancer, using sunscreen for skin cancer prevention is not necessary. However, people looking to ward off the aging effects from sun would still benefit from sun-protective habits, which include sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and sun avoidance.”

Also worth mentioning: the rate of teens (especially leaning towards the guys) that use sunscreen regularly isn’t a great number. A quote from a report on the National Library of Medicine’s website titled Trends in Sunscreen Use Among US Middle and High School Students, 2007-2019 reads, “Females were 92.7% more likely to use sunscreen than males.” Another statistic listed: “The mean sunscreen usage decreased by 5% with each one year increase in a student’s age.” The same report talks about how trends of tanning affect this. 

Now that you (hopefully) understand why it’s so important, you need to know which kind of sunscreen is best for you to wear. It’s recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation to use a minimum of SPF 15 for regular day-to-day use. Yes–even in the winter or on cloudy days. Contrarily, for hot, sunny, summer days spent outdoors at least an SPF 30 is recommended. If you’re planning on getting in the water, choose a waterproof option. 

It’s also important to know that there are several types of sunscreens for different protection, ones that protect from UVA rays, the ones that tan and age your skin, and UVB rays which cause burns. There’s also a “broad spectrum” option that protects from both. That’s the general recommendation because it fights both types of harm by using only one type solution.

To wrap up, I’ll stress one final time that use of sunscreen is important for everyone to keep your skin healthy. Enjoy your summer, and spend time outside–responsibly.