Skin Cancer Awareness Month: How to Protect Yourself from the Sun

The largest organ in your body deserves protection from the outside in! May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and we want to head into summer making sure you’re aware and prepared.

In the U.S. more people are diagnosed with skin cancer than any other kind of cancer—combined. It’s the most common cancer worldwide, so it’s important that we protect ourselves early and often.

C’est Moi has rounded up some important facts about skin cancer, sunscreen, and the best practices for sun exposure to help best protect you from harmful UV rays.

Skin Cancer Facts

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It’s so common that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.

The time you spend in the sun matters—did you know that having 5+ sunburns in your life doubles your risk of melanoma? The good news is–when detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99% which is why awareness and detection are so important.

When it comes to people of color, the long-held idea that having more melanin in the skin protects you from skin cancer is untrue. People of color have higher percentages of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM, melanoma of the palms, soles and nail beds) than Caucasians, whereas superficial spreading melanoma is the most frequent subtype in Caucasians and Hispanics.

If you’re also under the impression that younger people can’t get skin cancer, while it’s uncommon, this is also untrue. Melanoma in children and adolescents accounts for 1-4% of all melanomas and 3% of pediatric cancers.

The best way to protect yourself from skin cancer is to follow best practices in the sun, including wearing and re-applying sunscreen, staying out of the sun for prolonged periods, wearing protective clothing and more.

(all data above via skincancer.org)

Sunscreen facts

When it comes to sunscreen, not all products are created equal. Here’s what you need to know about how to keep your and our environment safe from harmful chemicals. The most important differentiating factor between sunscreen types are physical (mineral) and chemical.

Physical (or mineral) sunscreen sits on top of the skin and blocks the sun, whereas chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and neutralize UV rays. Since 60% of what our skin absorbs goes into the bloodstream, chemical sunscreens are absorbed into our bodies.

Did you know? Sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30 block 97 percent of the sun’s rays, making it one of the most effective tools in your sun protection toolbox.

All C’est Moi Mineral sunscreens are a minimum of 30 SPF, and are formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, which is reef safe and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.


Best Practices for Days in the Sun

Summer days on the beach are lots of fun—let’s keep them that way by keeping burns at bay with proper sun protection.

Here are the most important things to keep in mind for sun protection, via Environmental Working Group

  1. Wear Clothes: Hats, t-shirts, rash guards and pants all provide a physical barrier from the sun
  2. Plan around the sun: The sun is most direct and intense from 10am-2pm.
  3. Find shade—or make it: Umbrellas are our friends!
  4. Don’t get burned: As mentioned before, 5+ burns double your chances of getting melanoma,
  5. Wear sunglasses: Your eyes need protection from UV rays too—as do the kiddos!
  6. Check UV index: Anything over a 5 requires caution, and if it’s over a 7, stay inside during peak times and use extra protection.

We are proud to share that C’est Moi’s best-selling Gentle Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and Sunshine Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 45 are both recommended as “Best Recreational Sunscreens” in the 2021 Sunscreen Guide by the Environmental Working Group.

Sunscreens in EWG sun guide


In addition, our Tinted Moisturizing Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen is perfect for someone looking for a little coverage and the Sunshine Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Stick is great for on-the-go and long lasting protection (awesome for the little ones)!

 tinted spf and sunshine sunscreen stick


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