I used to think sunscreen was for beach days and toddlers. You’d slather it on once in December, then forget it existed until your shoulders peeled like lasagna noodles. But turns out, sunscreen is not optional. It’s a full-time lifestyle. And unfortunately, I didn’t get that memo until my 40s, when my face started looking like a road map.

  1. The sun does not care if it’s cloudyI honestly believed overcast days meant I was safe. Like the clouds were doing me a favor. Nope. UV rays still get through. Like, a lot of them. Clouds are not sunscreen. Neither is a baseball cap. Or a car window. Or vibes. UVB burns you, but UVA ages you—and UVA doesn’t care what the weather’s doing.

  2. “SPF 15 in your makeup” doesn’t countFor years I thought I was covered because my foundation said SPF 15 on the bottle. I didn’t realize you’d need to use half the tube to actually get the labeled protection. And let’s be real—I was not reapplying it every two hours. I wasn’t even reapplying it every two weeks. Turns out, actual sunscreen is its own thing. Not a bonus feature in your BB cream.

  3. Reapplying matters, even if it’s annoyingYeah, I know. Reapplying sunscreen feels like a chore. It messes up your makeup. Your hands get greasy. You don’t want to deal. But your skin doesn’t care how inconvenient it is. Damage doesn’t pause just because you’re on your third Zoom call. Get a powder SPF or a spray if you have to. But do it. Future you will be grateful.

  4. Daily use isn’t just for pale peopleThere’s this weird myth that only fair-skinned folks need to worry. Not true. Melanin helps, but it’s not armor. Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate. Neither does sun damage. Everyone needs protection. Every day. Even in winter. Even in New Zealand. Especially in New Zealand, honestly.

  5. Your neck, chest, and hands are snitchingYou know what gives it away? Your hands. Your neck. Your chest. These parts get hit constantly and most people forget about them. You could have a face smoother than a baby’s butt but then your décolletage is out here telling the truth. Sunscreen those areas like your vanity depends on it—because it kinda does.

So yeah. Sunscreen’s not just a summer thing. It’s a life habit. Like brushing your teeth or pretending to understand your tax return. Don’t wait until your sunspots need their own zip code. Start now. And if you’re already late to the game, welcome to the club. We’ve got SPF 50 and a whole lot of regrets.