May is National Skin Cancer Month and as you may know, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Over 90% of skin cancers, including melanoma, have been linked to sunburn and excessive sun exposure. To avoid sunburn you need to block both UVA and UVB rays. The best way to do this is through daily use of a physical sunblock containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Even when it is cloudy, you need some protection.
Last month, I had the opportunity to try, and review, two SPF products from Eucerin: Eucerin Everyday Protection SPF 15 Body Lotion and Eucerin Everyday Protection SPF 30 Face Lotion.
These two products, both of which contain physical sunblocks, are great for basic daily use. If I am going to be outdoors for most of the day, especially when skiing or at the pool or hiking in the mountains, I add a sweatproof sunscreen and try to cover up as much as possible with a hat and sun-safe clothes.
Sun-Safe Fashion
Until recently, most of the sun-safe clothing I saw was rather dowdy. Appropriate for a safari (what is up with all the epaulets?) or perhaps retirement to Sun City, the choices were rather, shall we say, limited.
Recently however, companies such as Patagonia, Athleta and Columbia have introduced UPF lines that up the ante and at least give us a fighting chance of looking rather chic when out on the trail and hanging out in the sun. (Why UPF? I have no idea. But in the world of clothing, UPF means the same thing as SPF does in the world of sunscreen. UPF 25+ is considered “very good” protection, while UPF 40+ is considered “excellent” protection).
Here are my picks for summer 2011.
Patagonia UPF 30 (all Patagonia photos courtesy Patagonia.com)
Long-sleeve Runshade Crew. Vibrant color, unique neckline, breathable fabric. $49.00.
Solimar Skirt. Yes, it is short and you’ll still need to slather on the Eucerin SPF 15 lotion (at a minimum), but it’s stylish enough for a hike and then straight out to lunch or dinner. $65.00. Or for a different Solimar look, try Patagonia’s long shorts. $65.00.
3/4 Sleeve Sun Shelter Shirt. Super light fabric and cute tunic styling. $59.00.
Sun Shelter Dress. I am not sold on wearing this out to dinner, but as a quick beach cover up or perhaps something to throw on after mountain biking, it’s pretty good. $79.00. 
Borderless Pants. Perfect for the mountains — on a warm day. Super lightweight (so they won’t keep you warm) and stretchy too. Love ’em. $79.00. They also come in a capri version for $69.00.
Athleta UPF 50+ (all Athleta photographs courtesy Athleta.com)
Breeze Bermudas. From water to the beach, quick drying bermuda shorts. $49.00.
12″ Dipper Shorts. Another light, quick drying pair of longer shorts. Available in bright colors and neutrals. $49.00.
Printed Whatever Skort. A flouncy A-line skirt ready to take on anything. Knee-length. $59.00. 
Rashguards. Athleta has the best selection. Long-sleeve, short-sleeve, no-sleeve, printed, almost any color you can imagine. From $36.00-$69.00.
Shadeseeker Hat. Full brim, feminine flowers. Yes, it is a big hat. But it will keep the sun off of your face. $49.00.
Columbia Omni-Shade UPF 30+
Unfortunately, the Columbia website makes it hard to “borrow” photos. But check out their Blood and Guts shorts ($50.00), the Psych to Hike Dress ($54.00) and the Anytime Hat ($22.00).
Giveaway Information….
You’ve read and seen my suggestions for keeping fashionably sun-safe on long summer days. What are your suggestions?
To enter, leave a comment on the Eucerin Facebook page sharing how you keep your skin sun-safe and copy the comment in to the comments for this page (otherwise I won’t know you entered).
You’ll be entered to win regular (not sample) size bottles of Eucerin Everyday Protection SPF 15 Body Lotion and Eucerin Everyday Protection SPF 30 Face Lotion (love it!), as well as a Vera Bradley cosmetic case perfect for holding your sunscreen and lip balm when you’re out and about this summer.
For a second entry, please visit the Eucerin Facebook page and leave a comment sharing how you will tell others about National Skin Cancer Awareness Month during May. Again, please copy it to the comments on this page so that I can keep track of you!
Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. MDT, Monday, May 16, 2011.
Good luck and thanks for putting your Skin First.
I am very happy to be working with Eucerin as part of their Skin First Blogger Network. As part of this effort, Eucerin is providing me with skin care information, as well as skin care and wellness products. They are also providing this giveaway to my readers. All opinions expressed in this post are my own and reflect exactly what I would tell my friends and family.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Jocelyn!
© 2011 – 2020, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.
I learned from my MOM early on to always wear sunblock! I love and use Eucerin products on my whole family and am thrilled to hear about their SPF face lotion and body lotion! Sounds like a home run to me!!!
**copied from Eucerin FB page**
I don’t want to burn at all this summer…I’m going to put sunscreen on everyday!
I’ve known too many people who have been affected by skin cancer….I make sure that we are all protected every time we go out in the sun.
I keep my skin safe by always remembering to apply sunscreen and making sure I let it soak in before I go outside. I choose to wear clothing with more coverage that protects my sensitive skin. And lately I have gotten into wearing hats-they provide great shade from the sun!
*********Copied from Eucerin FB page
I love Eucerin and use it everyday. Great giveaway!
I will make others aware of skin cancer awareness month by sharing the CDC link on my facebook page and reminding others to wear sun screen products!
***Coped from Eucerin FB page
I wear long sleeved overshirts when I work in the summer and love Eucerin!
I put on a high spf (50) everyday after I wash my face. I also make sure I carry spf around with me so that I can share it if anyone needs it!
After we began visiting the National Parks as family I quickly learned from the “out-doorsy” folks we met along the way that lightweight clothes with a high SPF offer great long lasting and easy coverage. Though our faces, necks and hands will always need lotion I try to use the proper clothing as my first defense against sun damage.
I keep bottles of protective lotions, like Eucerin, or spray cans tucked in a shaded spot in the car and near areas in my house where I am reminded to put some on before venturing outside, like by the dog’s leashes. This way I always ensure necessary coverage. As a survivor of melanoma I am spreading the word to everyone of the importance of good coverage against the sun’s harmful rays!
I limit my exposure to the sun when outdoors or in my car – my left arm has some sun damage already….SPF in lotion or insect repellant is a good idea too!
Skin cancer awareness month is important – the skin is the largest organ in the body and even with all the information out there, people still don’t really think that it can happen to them….be careful when you play in the sun!
Julie Bendziewicz-Wiegel This year I will be much more consistent and always use sunblock and protective clothing as I am dealing with a touch of skin cancer. It came as a surprise and was huge wakeup for me. Growing up, it was normal to coat yourself in babyoil to help get a better tan 🙁 I am still trying different products, trying to decide on which is best for me.
Christine Carpenter Calloway I plan to preach sunscreen to my family every day. Lotions with sunscreen will definitely be bought and used by the Calloway family!
2 seconds ago
Since I spend my days in the office and only see the sun while commuting, I make slathering on a SPF lotion part of my daily routine. When I’m older, I don’t want my face to be the only un-wrinkly part of me because I got lazy with the SPF.
**copied from Eucerin FB page**
my wife wears a tinted moisturizer with an spf 15; Eucerin for the face with spf 30 would be an added plus. We’ve discovered Eucerin Aquaphor isn’t just for babies!
To try and help myself I buy a moisturizer with sunscreen in it and then add sunscreen on top of it a couple of hours later if i’m going to be outside. i also keep a bottle of sunscreen, the lotion kind for babies with my morning accessories so i can put it on in the morning before i leave the house, it has helped me remember it. also, i see a dermatologist about once a year to have anything suspicious removed.
2 seconds ago · Like
I always us sun screen for me and my little ones. I burn easy and I don’t want to take the chance of skin cancer or premature aging of my face.
I have several good friends who are dermatologists – they give out the eucerin samples at their office which is where I was “turned on” to this brand – so for skin cancer awareness month I will remind my friends about how important check-ups are as well as daily protection via sunscreen and clothing that helps to protect as well.
Copied from Eucerin FB page!
Daily protection lotion EUCERIN, suncreen and more suncreen REAPPLY
Copied from Eucerin FB page!
I posted on my FB page to protect yourself and put a link to the CDC May is skin cancer awareness month.
My facial moisturizer is SPF 25, we wear sunscreen and hats all summer long (much of winter too), and try to avoid the pool during the hottest part of the day
Eucerin is the ONLY lotion I can use on my 2 youngest children and we love Eucerin!
I always use lotions, so buying the ones with sunscrean will make it easy to be protected and soft at same time. Yhanks Eucerin!
I wear moisturizer with SPF 30 sunscreen on my face everyday, and encourage my friends to do the same — the skin is your largest organ and you’ve gotta keep it healthy!
** copied from Eucerin Facebook page **
Note to everyone: May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so please be sun-safe by wearing sunblock, sunglasses, and sitting in the shade as much as possible when you’re outside!
** copied from Eucerin Facebook page for second entry **
I love Eucerin sunscreen its the only one that works for my daughter and I love the calming skin lotion.
2 seconds ago · LikeUnlike.
I make sure to use moisturizer that contains SPF–no matter what the weather or season.
This summer I need to be more consistent in using sunblock especially on my face!!! I am always looking for a great sunscreen and plan on trying Eucerin
I always use moisturizer that has a pretty high SPF & wear a hat when I can… Love, love, love Eucerin! : )
I love some of these sun smart fashions. I spent 4 spring days in Florida and my co-workers wondered if I never left my home in Michigan since I clearly did not have a tan. I tend to block the sun pretty thoroughly
We make it a habit to put sunscreen on us and the kids every morning before leaving the house. And, if we know it will be a long day in the sun, extra protection is brought with us. We also wear hats when we will be in the sun for a long period of time.
*from Eucerin FB page*
Growing old is one thing we cannot control, but premature signs of aging from sun damage is something we can control. I use a moisturizer with SPF 30 year round
*POSTED ON EUCERIN FACEBOOK WALL*
I keep my skin safe by using face and body lotions that contain an SPF. I also always use Lip Balms containing an SPF. Sun Protection is so important. Many companies do not offer products containing an SPF. I think it is great that Eucerin has products that contain an SPF! 🙂 🙂
Thanks for this! I have been looking for some sunsafe clothing to wear to the pool with my friends this summer and all I was turning up in internet searches were old-lady clothes. I was getting very discouraged until I found your blog. I always wear sunblock but was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma this year and need to be extra careful.
I hear you! The old-lady clothes are no fun at all. I hope you have a good prognosis and the melanoma is gone, gone, gone! Have a great summer!