PSA: Sunscreen BABY!
It’s Getting Hot In Here…Don’t take off all your clothes!
The weather is starting to warm up again as we head towards summer… And the sun, well, it is starting to get that familiar Australian “bite” that we have become so accustomed to over the warmer months. From a young age we are taught to “Slip, Slop, Slap”, at school the “no hat, no play” had us all running around in wide brimmed hats, yet still Australia has the highest rate of melanoma cases in the world. For my foreign readers: The saying is to “slip on a shirt”, “slop on sunscreen” and “slap on a hat”. Look, I know our sun is the devil, but how can we go from being told as kids to be “sun smart” to, in this year alone, having an estimated 16,221 new cases. That's 11% of all Australian cancer diagnoses in 2020, or more sadly put, an estimated 1,337 deaths.
We all have a story about getting sunburnt, the pain the next day, the discomfort trying to sleep when your bed sheets go from the soft cotton you love, to what now feels like sandpaper sheering off your skin. For some people, this experience is enough to change their ways and respect the sun, but I know for a lot of people, much like swearing to never overindulge after a night out, your mind lapses and you find yourself back cursing every sunburnt move.
Feel the burn… The sunburn that is…
Turns out sunshine is The Wolverines kryptonite? And yes I know that’s two different comic companies…
It’s something I think about constantly when I'm training during summer. Spending hours out on the track with the sun beaming down on my neck and back as I push, it’s hard not to do the math about how many hours of sun exposure it has all added up to over my career. Over the years I’ve had suspicious moles and lumps cut off, thankfully nothing has come of them. On the flip side, my dad has stage four melanoma so the fear certainly plays on my mind (He is currently in remission FYI). Heck! Even Hugh Jackman has had multiple spots cut off his face and that guy is the freaking Wolverine!
Basically, the whole point of this post is to remind you all to wear your damn sunscreen. Having seen a family member who has battled melanoma on and off for years, I honestly couldn't imagine the cruelty of having to lose someone to it when it’s something we can help prevent. We have the privilege of living in one of the best places on this planet, we are renowned for being a sun drenched country so please get out and enjoy it, but just remember to respect it. Slip, Slop, Slap!
Now, I know your next question is, “Sam, your skin looks so good even with all that sun, how do you do it?” Oh stop it imaginary voice in my head, you’re making me blush!
Time for a Listicle!
I’m constantly trying new products so the list is always changing, but here are my current favourite sunscreens at three different price points, so everyone can slop!
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Clear Face Sunscreen Liquid-Lotion with SPF 30: $10 AUD
This is by far the most lightweight sunscreen I have used to date. It’s oil free, does not clog your pores and has a great matte finish which is perfect for a face product. It's a great sunscreen for wearing during training and allows your skin to breath and not feel clogged up and oily like some sunscreens can. I do have to knock a point off for it only being SPF30.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Dry Touch SPF50+: $26 AUD
This one goes out to those of us who apply sunscreen throughout the day only to find your T zone is oily and sweaty enough to stick a note to your forehead reading “Hey, look at my oily face!”. It has a great matte finish, and it is light enough to be reapplied throughout the day, no sweat thanks to the added airlicium, an anti-sweat molecule.(science, am I right…) This is a great mid-range product, and blends perfectly with other face products in your morning routine.
Ultra Violette - Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Sun Serum: $47 AUD
Who here has applied a handful of sunscreen to your face only to look up in the mirror and see an abominable snowman that somewhat resembles you staring back? (Me!) Fear not, the lovely people over at Ultra Violette have made the perfect everyday sun serum for you. It's oil free and lightweight, easily the best smelling product I’ve tried and leaves you with the perfect summer’s glow, no abominable snowman in sight! Also did I mention it's Australian made!? Take my Money! At least when I can afford to splurge…It is $47 for 50 mL, that’s kinda steep… still worth it? Tell me what you think!
Let's wrap this up with the best argument for wearing sunscreen I can give you. Despite cancer LITERALLY being something that can KILL YOU, the reason most people wear sunscreen nowadays is because. (drum roll please…) Sunscreen is the best way to stop premature ageing. So, by being “sun smart” and wearing our sunscreen, we can help drive down cancer statistics and look hella youthful while doing it! Win-Win!
Chris Traeger knows best!