Summer Is Ending, Your Sunscreen Routine Shouldn’t ☀️

School is back in session, fall is starting to sneak into the stores, and somehow we’re already talking about September. It’s that time of year when summer starts to feel like it’s wrapping up, which also makes it really easy to mentally put sunscreen into the “summer only” category.

But for us, sunscreen is one skincare step that doesn’t get packed away with the beach towels.

Sun protection is personal for our family. We’ve had melanoma in our family, so wearing sunscreen has become about much more than avoiding a sunburn or trying to keep our skin looking youthful. It’s one of those everyday habits that we take seriously, and one we wish more people would start thinking about before they see the effects of years of sun exposure.

Now that we’re in our 30s, we’re also starting to notice more of those effects in people our age. We see friends and peers dealing with dark spots, uneven skin tone, fine lines, texture changes, and more significant sun damage that has accumulated over time. Skincare can do so much to support the skin, but protecting it from UV exposure in the first place is an important part of the equation.

That doesn’t mean you need to avoid the outdoors or feel nervous every time the sun comes out. We love being outside too. It just means treating sunscreen like part of your everyday skincare routine instead of something you only remember when you’re spending the day at the beach.

Cloudy Days Still Count ☁️

Chicago has given us its fair share of rainy and gray days this summer, and on mornings like those, sunscreen can feel easy to skip. But UVA and UVB exposure doesn’t disappear just because the sky is overcast, and sun protection is recommended year-round when you’ll be outdoors.

The end of August also doesn’t necessarily mean the end of sunny weather around here. Chicago can easily give us plenty of warm, bright days well into September. So while school might be back and summer vacations may be ending, your sunscreen routine should keep going.

For us, the easiest way to stay consistent is to stop thinking of SPF as a seasonal product and start thinking of it as one of the basics.

If Your Morning Routine Is Bare Minimum, Make SPF Part of It

We obviously love a good skincare routine. Give us a cleanser, toner, essence, serum, moisturizer, and all the extras, and we’re happy. 😂 But we also know that not every morning is going to be a full Korean skincare routine kind of morning.

Sometimes you’re running late. Sometimes you’re getting everyone out the door. Sometimes you simply don’t feel like doing six different steps.

On those mornings, keep it simple. Cleanse your skin, moisturize if your skin needs it, and make sunscreen the final step before you head outdoors.

One of the biggest things that helps with consistency is finding a sunscreen you actually enjoy wearing. If something feels thick, greasy, chalky, drying, or uncomfortable, you’re probably not going to be excited to reach for it every single morning. We want sun protection that feels like it belongs in our skincare routine, not like an extra layer we have to tolerate.

That is one of the reasons we love Korean sunscreens so much. Many formulas focus not only on UV protection, but also on creating lightweight, comfortable textures that layer easily with the rest of your skincare. We especially love a sunscreen that gives the skin some extra moisture because it makes that final morning step feel more like skincare and less like a chore.

The Sunscreen We’re Reaching For 💦☀️

One of our favorite options for making daily SPF feel easy is the Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++.

This is a hybrid sunscreen, which means it uses a combination of chemical UV filters and the mineral filter titanium dioxide. What we really love about it, though, is how it feels on the skin. It has a lightweight, hydrating texture that applies more like a moisturizer than the heavy sunscreens many of us grew up using.

It’s especially nice if your skin leans dry or dehydrated because the formula is designed to provide moisture while still feeling smooth and comfortable for everyday wear. It absorbs quickly without leaving behind that heavy, sticky sunscreen feeling, which makes it much easier to work into a regular morning routine.

And ultimately, that’s what we’re always looking for: sunscreen you’ll actually want to use.

If you’ve ever looked at a sunscreen label and wondered what all those numbers and plus signs actually mean, here’s the simple version.

What Does SPF50+ PA+++ Actually Mean?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is mainly a measure of protection against UVB rays, the rays that are closely associated with sunburn. A higher SPF number indicates a higher level of UVB protection when the product is applied properly.

PA refers to protection against UVA rays. UVA rays are associated with longer-term skin changes such as premature aging and pigmentation. The PA system uses plus signs to show the level of UVA protection, and generally, the more plus signs you see, the greater the UVA protection.

So when you see SPF50+ PA+++, you’re looking at a sunscreen designed to provide a high level of UVB protection along with strong UVA protection.

Of course, no sunscreen is a one-and-done shield for the entire day. Applying enough, covering exposed skin, and reapplying when you’re outdoors for extended periods are all part of using sunscreen effectively.

Summer may be winding down, but your skin still sees the sun in September, October, and every month after that. If there’s one skincare habit worth carrying with you all year long, daily sun protection is a pretty good one. 💜

Ready to make SPF part of your everyday routine? Shop the Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++.

Love,
Cindy & Alice 💜