7 Reasons You’re Not Wearing Sunscreen (and How to Change Them)

There are a few basic skin care rules we all know we should be following – one is to cleanse twice a day, one is to moisturize, and the last one is to wear sunscreen. But let’s be real, how many of us actually wear sunscreen daily? Apparently only 13.5%, according to a survey published in Archives of Dermatological Research. We all know that sunscreen is important for protecting our skin’s health and preventing aging, so why don’t we use it?

As someone who admittedly struggles with this too, I’ve taken a look at the most common reasons people skip their sunscreen, so let’s talk about the problems that hold people back from using it daily and how you can make those problems disappear.

1. You don’t like how it lightens your skin.

Many sunscreens leave behind a white residue when you apply them, even if you massage them in well and don’t use an excessive amount. And frankly, no one wants to walk around looking like a ghost every day, so it’s understandable that this might be holding you back from using sunscreen in the morning, especially if you don’t like wearing makeup that would cover it up.

The solution: Use a sunscreen that has been specifically formulated to prevent leaving behind a white caste. Try a transparent sunscreen or even a tinted sunscreen, which can give you a subtle amount of color correction.

2. It leaves your skin looking or feeling greasy.

There’s a healthy dewy skin look and then there’s greasy, and unfortunately, a lot of sunscreens do have a shiny, greasy look and feel. This typically fades a lot after the sunscreen has had about 15 minutes to settle in, but you might not want to wait that long before you’re out the door and society-ready, so a lot of people solve this by just skipping the sunscreen entirely.

The solution: Use a sunscreen that is lightweight and is designed to absorb faster so it doesn’t leave an icky residue.

3. The extra step takes time on busy mornings.

We all need our beauty sleep, so when the choice is between applying sunscreen or hitting the snooze one more time, a lot of us choose the snooze. Even just facial sunscreen can be

time-consuming to apply since you may need to wait a while after using it before you can apply makeup, and you have to wash your hands well so it doesn’t get into your eyes and sting.

The solution: Switch to a multi-purpose sunscreen, like one that’s both sunscreen and a moisturizer. This way, you can combine two steps into one so you’re giving your skin protection without any added time.

4. It’s an added expense.

Sometimes it comes down to dollars and cents – facial sunscreens can be pricey, so if it doesn’t feel like a necessary product in your routine, it’s easy to justify kicking it out of your budget.

The solution: Shop the deals and find an affordable favorite. There are facial sunscreens that are economical enough to fit nearly anyone’s wallet, and your face is a small area so they can last longer than you might think.

Keep in mind as well that anti-aging skin care products are usually far more expensive, and sunscreen can help you put off buying those pricier products because they prevent premature aging, so it’s a bargain in the long run.

5. It makes your skin break out.

Since a lot of sunscreens leave a greasy feel, it’s probably no surprise that many of them can trigger breakouts if you have acne-prone skin. But here’s the good news: that’s not the case with all sunscreens.

The solution: Look for a sunscreen that is marked as noncomedogenic. There are plenty of oil-free sunscreens that are specifically designed to not cause breakouts and blemishes and they’re just waiting for you to try them out.

6. You don’t spend a lot of time outside so you don’t need it.

Unfortunately, this one’s just a myth. Sure, if you work inside at a desk you won’t have as much sun exposure as someone who works outdoors all day. But even still, your skin does take in radiation through the windows and your skin will accumulate damage over time even from small amounts of exposure. The safer bet is to just make it a habit to wear sunscreen every morning. This keeps you safe from minor sun exposure and also keeps your skin protected when you decide to go for an impromptu lunchtime walk or a drive in the sunshine.

7. You just aren’t in the habit.

This is the one I’m most guilty of – I know I should wear sunscreen every day but I simply forget it over and over. This is one of those cases when you just have to hack yourself a bit to find a way to build sunscreen into your morning routine.

The solution: Make a skincare checklist that has each step of your skincare routine, including sunscreen. Have this with you in the bathroom and tick off each item while you do your routine so you don’t forget sunscreen (or any other steps). After you’ve done this for a couple of weeks, it’ll just become a normal part of your routine and you’ll do it without thinking about it.

So many dermatologists name sunscreen as the most effective way to keep your skin healthy and prevent premature aging, and they agree that it’s something all of us should be doing each morning, regardless of your age and your skin. Daily use is a rarity right now, but with some of the product tips and tricks above, you might be able to break into that 13.5% and if you do, your skin will thank you.