National Sunscreen Day is May 27th!
This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about why sunscreen matters, assess how it fits into your skincare goals, and get outside to celebrate with friends and family.
In this article, we’re breaking down the top 6 ways to celebrate National Sunscreen Day this year.
Keep reading to learn more!
1. Learn the history of sunscreen
What better way to celebrate the many benefits of sunscreen than by learning how our modern version came to be?
We can trace the history of sunscreen all the way back to the time of the Egyptians in about 3,100 BC. This civilization would use products like rice, jasmine, and lupin extracts to shield their skin from the sun.
There are similar records available for other ancient cultures, such as the Greeks (who used olive oil) and the Native Americans (who used pine needles and sunflower oil).
Each of these cultures understood – in some way – the value of protecting the skin from the sun. Not only that, but they came up with their own innovative remedies from the natural ingredients that were available to them at that time.
While the formula has obviously changed quite a bit since the earliest known examples of sunscreen, companies like Australian Gold are still using nutrient-rich local ingredients to keep people safer from the sun.
The modern history of sunscreen
The modern history of sunscreen begins in the early 1930s. That’s when a Swiss physics student named Franz Greiter hiked up Mount Piz Buin and was sunburned during his journey.
After the trip, Greiter began trying to come up with a method for protecting his skin in the future so that it wouldn’t happen the next time he hiked.
That’s when he – and another man named Benjamin Green – came up with the earliest version of modern sunscreen.
There’s been a lot of innovation in the sunscreen industry since those days. But we can all thank Green and Geiter for getting us started on the sun care protection path that we know is so important today.
2. Figure out which type of sunscreen is best for you
There’s no better day than National Sunscreen Day to finally figure out which type of sunscreen you should be wearing. You can begin that process by considering each of the following four factors:
Skin type
Your skin type may or may not play a role in the type of sunscreen that’s best for you. If you have oily or dry skin, then certain types of sun care products are going to work better for you.
People with oily skin can benefit from using non-comedogenic products. These are specifically designed to avoid clogging the pores, and many use oil-free formulas to achieve that.
On the other hand, people who have dry skin will benefit from using sunscreens with oil in them. These types of sunscreen provide an extra bit of moisturizing power that can be helpful to someone with this skin type.
But if you wouldn’t call your skin oily or dry, then the chances are that you’ll be fine using most types of sunscreen.
Mineral vs. chemical
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens are effective at protecting the skin from the sun. But it’s worth exploring the difference between these two types of sunscreens all the same.
Mineral sunscreens use substances like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to block the sun’s UV rays before they penetrate the skin. Chemical sunscreens use active ingredients that absorb the sun’s rays.
If you’ve tried one of these types of sunscreen and didn’t like it, then give the other one a shot. It could deliver a much better experience to you.
SPF needs
If you’re not familiar, SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It’s a measurement of how much protection a specific sunscreen will give you from UV rays.
Experts at The Skin Cancer Foundation recommend that people wear at least SPF 30 anytime they’re going to be outdoors for an extended period. But you may need even more than that.
People with fair skin or those who plan on being in the sun for long periods may be safer with an SPF 50 or SPF 75 product.
Ingredients
Finally, you’ll also want to keep ingredients in mind while you’re looking for the right sunscreen. Some products are effective but use harsh chemicals that can damage the skin.
Others (like the ones that Australian Gold creates) feature nourishing natural ingredients like:
- Aloe vera
- Sunflower seed oil
- Carrot oil
- Kakadu Plum
- Eucalyptus
Finding a sunscreen that includes nourishing ingredients is a win-win. You’ll get the protection from the sun that you want while also giving your skin the nutrients that it wants.
3. Share the importance of sun protection with friends and family
National Sunscreen Day is also the perfect opportunity to talk with treasured family members and friends about the importance of sun protection.
Here are some highlights you can share with them:
- Sunscreen can help to slow down early skin aging
- Using sunscreen regularly can reduce the risk of skin cancer
- Sunscreen helps to reduce inflammation and sunburns, which can be painful and do damage to the skin
You don’t have to get up on a soapbox or shout these things from the rooftops. But why not send a text about National Sunscreen Day and why it matters to the people that you’re closest with?
Doing so could be just what someone special in your life needs to start taking sunscreen a little more seriously.
4. Learn the truth about tanning
Everybody wants to look their best, and for many, that means spending time in the sun to get a tan. But is that possible to do without risking skin damage?
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that, if you’re going to tan, you should:
- Use SPF 30 sunscreen
- Avoid staying out long enough to burn
- Avoid tanning booths and beds
- Take extra precautions when the sun is at its highest (from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Another option is to look into instant tanners and sunless tan products. These let people achieve the instant glow of a tan without having to spend any time in the sun.
It could be a faster and safer way to get the look that you want without inadvertently putting your health at risk in the process.
5. Look for an after-sun product that fits your needs
Lots of people use sunscreen to keep their skin safe while they’re in the sun, but not as many use after-sun products to help the skin replenish afterward.
National Sunscreen Day could be the perfect opportunity to improve this part of your skincare routine.
Aloe vera is an excellent option if you’re looking for something that will soothe the skin after sunburns and provide some much-needed moisturization.
You may also want to look into something like our After-sun Moisturizer with Hemp. It includes a rich blend of Vitamins A, E, and C to help calm, soothe, and fortify the skin after it’s been in the sun.
6. Get out and enjoy the sun
Finally, is there any better way to enjoy National Sunscreen Day than getting outside and enjoying the sun?
Getting out and enjoying the great outdoors with the people you love is what sunscreen is all about. It’s a product that makes it possible to celebrate these things without having to worry as much about your health as you do so.
So why not take advantage of the moment to bring together your favorite people for a day of:
- Relaxing at the beach
- Hiking and exploring the wilderness
- Playing your favorite outdoor sport
- Having a BBQ in your backyard
- Planning a picnic at the park
- Spending time with friends and family outdoors
Australian Gold has everything you need to celebrate National Sunscreen Day in style
However you choose to celebrate National Sunscreen Day, there’s not a better time than this to pick up your new favorite sun care products.
Australian Gold has everything you need to start nourishing your skin while you protect it from the sun. We sell:
- Plant-based sunscreen
- After-sun care products
- General protection and botanical sunscreen
- Tanning oil
- Sunless and instant tan products
- And much, much more
Put simply, if there’s a naturally-nourishing sun care product that you’re interested in finding, there’s a good chance that Australian Gold will have it for you to buy at an affordable price.
So why wait? Check out our online shop today to get started.