The Blog

Why is it that so many men think they don’t need sunblock? Would they let their kids go to the pool or beach without it? Did their parents not slather them down as kids?

So why?

Do they think they’re somehow invincible from skin cancer? Well, guess what… no one is. Shocker, I know, but so many people engage in cancer risky behavior without too much regard for the long-term impact. Unless the big dreaded “C” strikes close to home, a lot of people probably think that’s something that happens to other people. Newsflash! The older we get, the more other people we’ll come to know with some form of cancer… breast, colon, pancreatic, prostate, stomach, skin… the possibilities seem endless. And, those are just all the kinds that have impacted people I know.

I actually know someone who grew up in Australia who didn’t wear enough sunblock as a child and he got skin cancer on his face. Thankfully, he found a very skilled (and expensive) plastic surgeon to remove it without becoming disfigured. He was lucky. He and his children now wear sunblock and rash guards every time they’re in the sun.

So, why is it too hard or too inconvenient to spend a few minutes slathering on the sunblock? Do these guys know that women don’t find lobster red leather skin attractive? Would they find us ladies attractive if we looked like that? And, for those men whose egos are inflated enough to think they deserve a well maintained lady who takes care of her entire body inside and out including minding what she eats and drinks, exercising, her skincare ritual, and likely some expensive extras like Botox and laser facials, it actually feels like a slap in the well kept face to not even bother with this most basic of skincare efforts. Women work way harder than any man to preserve and protect our youthful look as much as possible. All we expect you to do is the bare minimum and just put on the damn sunblock. If not for yourself, at least be a good example for the kids.

Is there some sort of bro code that says when you’re out golfing, it’s cool to come back from a whole day in the sun with a red neck? You know the term red neck has negative connotations, right? Ironically, the exact opposite of country club life.

A regular sunblock user, my husband used to say, “You know it’s a good day when you have to put on sunblock because that means you’re doing something outside.” Exactly.

My friend who got skin cancer recommends a sun block with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide not a sun screen with avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene because of their link to cancer and/or hormone disruption.

Don’t get me wrong — I love some tropical smelling sunscreen that goes on smooth and leaves you with a little bit of a beach vacation vibe. I know some of the blocks, especially the mineral based ones, can leave a white glow or feel too thick. I’ve heard guys complain about this with their facial scruff. But, trust me, there are products that don’t do this. I wear a tinted one on my face (SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50) every single day and I love how it also evens out my skin tone. Win win.

If you have a favorite sunblock that doesn’t have harmful chemicals and actually feels good on your skin (not pasty), please drop a note in the comments and share it with us.