Why Sun Protection Matters The 5 S's Sunscreen Reminders The Ways of the Rays What's an SPF?

The sun. We live for it.

We just want you to stay protected so you can keep gettin’ every last drop.

Sonny Stories Preview

For the real deal on sun safety, don't take it from us. Our ambassadors are the ones who know. Tune in for all the episodes of a lil' something we like to call Sonny Stories.

Episode 1: Jill and Bryan

EP1: Can you get burned when it’s cloudy? Snow senseis Jill Perkins and Bryan Fox drop some UV knowledge in our Sonny Stories: Ep. 1.

Episode 2: Micah Moniz

EP2: What’s the worst sunburn you’ve ever seen? Waterman Micah Moniz has seen some scorchers on Waikiki Beach. Follow his sun care tips to make sure you don’t get the lobster look.

Episode 3: Malia Manuel

EP3: What’s the secret to keeping your skin healthy when you get a lot of sun? Pro surfer Malia Manuel practically lives in the water. So how does she keep her skin looking so good? Watch for her pro tips.

Episode 4: The Wave Chasers

EP4: They call themselves the Wave Chasers, and they know how to rip. Watch on for Shirley, Debbie, Loraine and Joyce on the power of connection and their “non-negotiable”: staying covered in the surf.

Episode 5: Joey and Mado

EP5: In our latest episode of Sonny Stories, we drop in on Joey and Mado, skateboarders who happen to be mother and daughter. Watch on for a whole lotta heart and tips for staying covered when you are skateboarding in the sun.

Why Sun Protection Matters

When it comes to sun protection, you've got options:
Avoid making a rookie mistake—reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, and toweling off.
Remember those easy to forget areas like your ears, nose, shoulders, chest, and neck.
Don’t underestimate cloudy days. 90% of UV rays still find their way through clouds, which means even if it’s not a beautiful sunny day, you can still get fried.
We know it’s tough but try to limit sun exposure when the sun’s rays are most intense (10am to 4pm).
Reflections off water and snow can increase sun exposure by up to 50%. Keep that in mind when you’re surfing or on the slopes.
Keep newborns out of direct sunlight and always cover them with shade. Check with your pediatrician before applying sunscreen to children under 6 months.

Sunscreen Hot Tips

Yes, how much sunscreen you use DOES make a difference. Don't skimp.

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Apply & Reapply

How much is the right amount of sunscreen to use? We try and err on the side of applying generously - which is about 2-3 tablespoons. Don’t be afraid to slather it on.

Reapplying sunscreen throughout the day is also super important. As a rule of thumb, we apply every 2 hours and after sweating, towel-drying, surfing, cannonballing and the like to help SPF do what it does best.

The Ways of the Rays

The sun shines both UVA and UVB rays—which is why we need Broad Spectrum protection.

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UVA vs. UVB Rays

From the sun, come both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are known for penetrating the deeper layers of our skin, which can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkles. UVB rays on the other hand, are known as the culprits of sunburns and play a significant role in causing skin cancer.

Curious how intense the UV rays are at any point in the day? Just look up the UV index on your phone.

Check Today's UV Index

What's an SPF?

The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) on a bottle of sunscreen indicates the level of protection we’re getting from the sun’s UVB rays—which are the sun rays most commonly responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. How do we compare the different SPF numbers and how they protect us? Check it out.
Learn More

We've Got Answers

That's up for debate. In short, no not always. How often you use sunscreen and how much you use are more important than the SPF value. While SPF 15 is the FDA's minimum recommendation for protection against skin cancer and sunburn, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Click here for more information.

DEFINITELY. People with darker skin are still at risk for skin cancer. We recommend that everyone (no matter what your skin tone is) wear sunscreen to help protect themselves from harmful UV rays.

10 minutes of sunlight a day helps give us a healthy dose of Vitamin D, which is essential for good health. But don’t forget, if you stay out past 10 mins, please make sure to put on sunscreen—we don’t care if it’s ours, just use it.

For children under 6 months old we recommend consulting your
pediatrician before applying sunscreen. For children over 6 months old we recommend the mineral based sunscreens in our Baby Bum ® line. These products have been pediatrician tested and are great options for our groms. Check out our Baby Bum products here.

Wearing sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun is far safer than using no sunscreen at all. What kind of sunscreen is best for you and your skin type comes down to the key active ingredients. Physical (mineral) sunscreens with actives like zinc oxide block UV rays before they penetrate the skin. Chemical sunscreen with actives
like avobenzone absorb UV rays before they can damage the skin. Both physical (mineral) and chemical sunscreens test as safe and effective in mitigating the
risk of developing skin cancer.  

In short: if you’re older than six months (which we’re assuming is the case since you’re reading this), you should absolutely wear sunscreen every day. This applies for any daily routine that involves
spending more than 10 minutes outdoors, regardless of weather. If it’s a full day outdoors, we recommend a minimum of SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen applied
to all exposed skin. Reapply every two hours or after swimming/getting wet. Making sunscreen application a part of your daily routine helps increase your chances of healthier, non sun-damaged skin over the long term.

The mid-day sun is one of your skin’s most powerful enemies and typically peaks between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This time of day can be deceptively dangerous to your skin even when it’s cloudy since at
least more than 30% of harmful UV rays will still filter through overcast
skies. Another way to determine the strength of the sun is the “shadow rule.”If your shadow is taller than you, your exposure to UV rays is likely to be lower. If your shadow is shorter than you, it's likely closer to mid-day, where UV exposure is at its highest.

It’s easy to poke fun at the friend who forgot to use sunscreen and suffered the consequences, but the long-term effects of repeated sun burn or sun poisoning is no joke. Symptoms include skin redness
and blistering (i.e. “the lobster effect.”) But more severe sun poisoning can also cause fever, swelling, nausea, dizziness and dehydration. If you happen to
be “that person” on your next group adventure, stay out of the sun for at least a day and apply an aloe gel or cool compresses to help alleviate swelling. Of course, cover up in sunscreen or protective gear once you venture back outside. 

Moving the Needle on Skin Cancer

Know Your Spots

Our way of being more aware of the moles and freckles on our skin and recognizing when something new, unusual, or changing takes place— then doing something about it.

Protect The Groms®

Our non-profit that partners with elementary schools around the counry to provide playground shade structures, sun safety education and sunscreen to kids who live and play in the sun.

Does Sunscreen Expire?

The answer, in short, is yes. In this guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about that half-empty bottle of SPF 50 buried in the bottom your tote bag and whether to toss it or lather up.