As we head into Memorial Day, please be mindful to wear sunscreen. Chances are, you’ll spend more time outdoors—whether at the beach, lake, park, or a backyard barbecue. Why bring this up now? Because this is when we start ditching long sleeves and pants. Tank tops, shorts, and sandals are our go-to style for the next few months.

You might be out of the habit of applying sunscreen to your body daily. I hope you never stopped using it on your face—but that’s a post for another time.

Although we tend to focus on suncare in summer, I teach my clients to use sunscreen every single day. Harmful UV rays penetrate clouds—even on gloomy days—and reflect off surfaces like water, snow, sand, and pavement. So yes, you need sun protection even when it’s cloudy or cold!

Why Bother with Suncare?

There are so many reasons to use sunscreen daily. Here are my top three:

1. Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer
This is always my number one reason for promoting sun protection. Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 to 50 significantly lowers your risk of skin cancer. Be sure to choose a broad-spectrum formula—it protects against both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays).

2. Slow the Aging Process
UVA rays cause up to 90% of visible skin aging. Sunscreen isn’t just for your face—don’t forget areas like your neck, chest, and arms, where crepey skin can show. And if you’re already seeing signs of crepiness, I’ve got you! My clients love the Anti-Crepe Hydrating Massage Cream. Even though I don’t have crepey skin myself, I adore the cooling effect.

3. Prevent Uneven Skin Tone
Sun exposure is a top cause of uneven tone, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots. While there can be other medical causes, many skin discoloration issues are linked to lack of sun protection.

Who Should Use Sunscreen?

Short answer? Every human over 6 months old.
The sun doesn’t discriminate by race, age, or gender. Babies under 6 months should stay shaded, but after their first half-birthday, start using sunscreen made for their delicate skin.

When and Where to Apply Sunscreen

I always apply sunscreen over my entire body before getting dressed—even if I plan to stay indoors. You never know when plans or weather may change, so it’s best to be prepared.

• Reapply every 2 hours if you’re outdoors all day.
• Reapply after swimming or sweating, even with water-resistant sunscreen.
• Don’t forget easy-to-miss spots like:
  • Top of ears and nose
  • Back of neck
  • Feet and toes
  • Hands (especially when driving)
  • Lips (use a lip balm with SPF under lipstick)

Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before heading outside to give the ingredients time to activate.

Are You Ready for Memorial Day—and Beyond?

Remember, sunscreen isn’t just for beauty—it’s for your health. It helps you age well and could literally save your life. You, my friend, are worth the extra effort to wear sunscreen every day of the year.

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Purple Essence By Evelyn, your partner in aging well and achieving your best self.