I’m a firm believer in making resolution for positive change at multiple points throughout the year. Why wait until January 1 to make these goals? We can grow and evolve year round. A resolution I’m making now deserves to be on this day because, to put it bluntly, my actions have been foolish!
WEAR SUNBLOCK!
I wear sunblock on my face every single day. I am paranoid about burning my nose after an accident from my childhood left my nose extra sensitive to UV rays and the damage they cause. (It gets all puffy and red, NOT an attractive look!) But I am going to admit… I am less than diligent in properly covering all of myself, especially when out running. (Which is really the only time I spend outside in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time anyway.)
My ears are exposed, my arms are often exposed and my legs are exposed (as long as I’m wearing shorts and short-sleeves!). When I was in the midst of marathon training I was good at coating my legs and arms with spray-on super-strength sunblock.
Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray SPF 50 has been my running sunblock of choice for the past couple years, it doesn’t seem to sweat off into strange white ribbons and I assume that it’s doing a good job because I haven’t been burnt while wearing it… but I have picked up some tan lines mid-thigh from my shorts. For my face I like Neutrogena’s Sport Face SPF 70, high protection factor and it has yet to burn my eyes.
But these days, I haven’t been as good at applying my sunblock. Like I said… that’s just plain foolish!
Aside from the fact that the sun can prematurely age us, there is the threat of skin cancer. My mom had to have a cancerous spot removed on her face just a few months ago. It’s a very real issue that can get any of us. Even with cloud cover, the UV rays are still able to cause sun damage. Cumulative damage over time can be detrimental, but even periodic burns (and tanning) are not healthy for your skin. The best way to avoid these problems is to apply sunblock, regularly and copiously.
I’m going to try doing better starting now. No… strike that. I’m not going to TRY to do better… I WILL do better.
Do you have a sport sunblock you swear by?
Jill Will Run 
I’ll have to try the Neutrogena–it seems that all sunscreens have the potential to run in your eyes, so I’d love one that really doesn’t! I just had my first mole removed this year (all was fine) and it served as a poignant reminder to keep up the sunscreen use. Thanks for another!
I’m a big fan of sport spray sunblocks. It’s so much easier to put on that I’m more likely to use it.
Neutogena Sports and Sports face is my favorite. I LOVE it! And I highly recommend it. I use it every day in the summer evcen when I am not working out.
The rest of the year, I wear a lotion with SPF, but in the summer, always a straight sunblock.
And the Sports Face DOES NOT run into your eyes. I swim, before I bike/run and do not have a problem. Note to triathletes though…do not put sunblock on where your goggles sit or they will not stick and you will have lots of water in your eyes.
I love the sport spray sunscreens for body, but when I run, I use my normal sunscreen–Shiseido SPF 55 lotion. I’ve never had it run into my eyes even when it’s raining or I’m sweating like crazy.
i put on sunscreen this morning! yay me. i will have to try out the spray-style – i didn’t have runny-lines today but i get them in the summer sometimes.
i’m pretty sure the mid-thigh tan is inevitable, no matter how much sunscreen you wear. luckily for all the people in my town i will NOT be wearing bun huggers like the pros do to eliminate these tan lines đŸ˜‰
Yeah, the mid-thigh tan is almost like a badge of honor. And I’m with you… no way will I be wearing bun huggers either!
I’m a coppertone sports girl myself! i use the spray ones in the summer. unless it says “sport” on it, i won’t use it – I sweat too much and then it ends in my eyes!!