I grew up in New England on the ocean and I used to love being in the sun, which was more like “baking” in the sun in summertime. Now I'm in my late 30s, I have a TON of moles. My fair skin comes from my European ancestry and multiple family members on my Mom's side including my mom have had cancerous moles removed over the years. Basel cell carcinomas, melanomas. I had two severely dysplastic (abnormal skin cells/precancerous) moles removed and one melanoma (skin cancer) removed when I was between 33 and 35 years old, and that was the youngest anyone had ever been diagnosed with skin cancer in my family. It was a pretty routine surgery getting the melanoma removed (the MOHS surgery, it is called) but in retrospect it's a pretty big deal. I used to love to tan (even though my version of "tanning" involved burning my skin), I even went to the Bahamas by myself on a 4 day vacation in my late 20s just to feel the sun on my face and lay on the beach and swim in delicious tropical blue-green water and literally soak in the sun. It didn't matter that I was alone, I was in paradise! Fast forward ten years later and I'm the exact opposite. Well, not exactly. I still LOVE the tropics. Give me palm trees, pineapples, coconuts and Caribbean breezes all day, every day and I'm zen. My husband too, he and I got married in the Bahamas and our first vacation together was in the Bahamas. We even talk about how we may have perhaps crossed paths in Nassau 10 years ago and didn't know it, as we discovered we'd both been there at the same time so many moons ago. The only difference now is that I cover myself pretty much head to toe in zinc oxide (zinc oxide is the best "sunscreen" because it works as a sunblock, and it is completely natural) and SPF clothing, hats etc...and I monitor my sun exposure like a machine, it's like clockwork. I will tell you it has been a change for sure. I am extremely cognizant of my sun exposure, and it can be anxiety provoking at times, I'm not gonna lie. I love playing tennis and being outdoors, being in nature, sailing on the ocean--all of it. However even going outside to walk the dog, or simply engaging in a conversation with someone on the street in my neighborhood for more than five minutes is stressful if it's bright sunlight and I realize I have not put sunscreen on yet or that day at all. Putting on a ton of sunscreen, especially the thick and somewhat greasy zinc oxide is...well...it's not fun. And in the summer it is very hard to navigate this. Summer heat is intense and obviously being covered head to toe in clothing is not too feasible either and when simply going outside for a walk to boot! Nevertheless, I have some of my favorite products I use which make it easier. And when I see the results, as in no change in skin pigmentation after having been out in the sun, it's SO rewarding, and SUCH a relief.
Trader Joe's has an amazing everyday face cream SPF 15 that uses zinc oxide. I put this on my face and neck everyday. CVS has a great zinc oxide sunscreen that is very affordable. Neutrogena sunscreen does not use zinc as much in their sun care products but I like their sunscreen nonetheless, I just have to apply and reapply a lot more. Zinc oxide has never bothered/stung my eyes either (whereas some sunscreens do). CeraVe is fantastic, I feel very safe with that on my face and body.
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