Growing up with freckles, I was always the first to burn every summer (still am!). It was still cool to layout and tan with baby oil in the 90s (or in my case, ride around on the lawn mower with my walkman and oil), and I took the first burn as a badge of honor, which I am now paying for with all the lovely skin damage to my chest.
I also remember my mother getting her first skin cancer cells scraped off while I was in high school off her shoulder. Back then, skin cancer wasn’t considered as deadly – eh just cut it out! What?
Now that I’m 38, I have a lot of these “if I had known then what I know now…” type moments. Luckily, there’s a lot more knowledge out there and some superpower sunscreens (if used correctly!) that can really protect you from the rays. One that has stuck with me through the years is Banana Boat. While I loved it more for the fun smell of summer as a kid, I love it now for their advanced protection and lotions. From sweat-proof sport to sensitive skin for your face, they have a full line of quality products that also come in travel size for those beach trips via plane.
But, we need to remember that as much as sunscreen is here to help us, it’s only as good as the user application. So let’s talk about the 5 times you’re forgetting to apply sunscreen:
1. When it’s cloudy (especially on your face too!)
It’s actually cloudy today, it’s Friday and you’re rushing around trying to get out the door in time for school and work. But did you apply Banana Boat Simply Protect Sensitive Faces Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50? Just because it’s cloudy out doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t out there.
Just because you’re on the subway for most of the commute doesn’t mean you’re not still waiting at the bus stop or walking to get lunch. I add sunscreen to my everyday moisturizing morning routine and keep a bottle in my purse for afternoon lunch walks. Or when I’m sitting around watching a cloudy little league game. UV rays are getting through and it’s important to apply sunscreen to yourself – not just the kids.
2. After 90 minutes
Sunscreen is amazing but only works if you remember to reapply! I actually set a timer on my phone to remind me when we’re outside all day at the beach or pool or street fairs so I don’t forget. While Banana Boat Ultra Sport is water and sweat resistant, you still need to remember to reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
3. In covered woods and cars
We go hiking – a lot. Us city folk like to get out. But while we always remember to pack the bug spray, there are times when we forget the sunscreen. Just because we’re hiking under shaded trees doesn’t mean rays aren’t creeping in. Especially when you climb that fire tower to look over the miles you just climbed. Also, how many of you like to drive with the windows down? That arm that’s hanging out the window getting a cool breeze is also in direct sunlight. More than once, having Banana Boat sunscreen in the glovebox has saved us from a spontaneous road trip sunburn.
4. When it’s cold in winter
One of the times we always forget and get burnt is when we’re out on the mountain snowboarding. Face-burn is real at 10 degrees. Did you know that the sun actually reflects off of the snow and higher altitudes make you more susceptible to UV rays!? It’s a really good reminder that sunscreen is a year-round application. It’s not just for beach trips and pool days, but should be a permanent staple in your diaper bag and purse. Before you hit the slopes (or even a wintery commute on Monday), don’t forget to apply Banana Boat to your face – and that means you TOO, mom. Not just the kids.
5. At school trips and activities (I always forget to send it!)
Guilty. How many of us forget to pack sunscreen when the kids get to take a field trip? It’s one thing for me to remember to have some in my bag, but more than once I’ve forgotten to send it off for a day Coney Island or picnic in the park. I now keep a Banana Boat Ultra Sport SPF 50+ in my son’s bookbag, (and I also send a note to school to remind the teacher or chaperone to tell Max to apply it!). Plus, usually, other parents forget too – so it’s always good to have extra to share with their classmates.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to sunscreen. And now I feel better sharing this PSA with you to remind myself as well. Happy (sunburn free) summer!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Banana Boat. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting FootballFoodandMotherhood.com.
