Here comes the sun! After a long year of being cooped up, we’re more ready than ever to feel the sunshine on our skin this summer. If you’re anything like us, you’re already assembling your beach bag essentials – a cute towel, a good book, an extra pair of sunglasses and, of course, sunscreen.
Suncreen is essential for safe sun exposure. The stats don’t lie: 20% of Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun is directly linked to 90% of skin cancer cases. Sounds scary, but there’s good news: wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50 daily can reduce your risk of melanoma by up to 50%.
You could say that SPF is the number one must-have for not just swim season, but your year-round skincare routine. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that suncare brand Supergoop! has officially dropped at Aerie.
For over 15 years, Supergoop! has been on a mission to create feel-good suncare products made with innovative formulas and clean, reef-safe ingredients. Founded by Holly Thaggard, the brand offers sunscreen, lotion, body oil and even SPF setting powder, all designed to work seamlessly into your skincare routine while providing the daily sun protection you need. By incorporating SPF into the makeup and skincare products you already use every day, Supergoop! helps you boost your routine for lifelong sun protection.
Get the most out of your suncare with these tips taken from Supergoop!’s blog, The Bright Side:
Factor in for SPF. According to Supergoop!’s Suncyclopedia, the ideal SPF lands between 30 and 50. 30 is the minimum SPF needed for a product to effectively protect you, while anything above 50 doesn’t offer significantly more protection.
Cover the spectrum. All of Supergoop!’s sunscreens are broad spectrum, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. UVA and UVB rays cause the bulk of skin damage, but other types of light can cause visible damage as well, including infrared and blue light from electronics. Supergoop! makes multiple products with additional light protection built in.
Reapply, reapply, reapply. Keep your suncare working all day long by reapplying every two hours, and always reapply after toweling off no matter when you last reapplied. Don’t let cloud cover fool you, either: up to 80% of the sun’s rays reach the Earth even on overcast days, so it’s essential to wear sunscreen no matter the weather.
Missed a spot? Make sure you don’t! Easy-to-forget parts like the tips of your ears and around your eyes are just as important to protect as the rest of your body. Your scalp needs protection, too: Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35 can take care of that.
Make it a daily habit. Wearing sunscreen every day is one of the healthiest habits you can build. Check out this interview with psychology professor Dr. Wendy Wood, in which she explains the steps to forming a daily sunscreen habit. Finding a sunscreen you love makes it even easier to stick with it, which is why Supergoop! is so dedicated to look-good, feel-good formulas.
Learn even more suncare tips at The Bright Side, and get the full story of Supergoop! from Holly herself by reading the Q&A below!
What inspired you to found the brand?
Holly Thaggard: My SPF obsession began after a close friend was diagnosed with skin cancer at age 29. I learned that it was the most common type of cancer in the U.S., and that it was largely preventable if you just did one thing: Wear sunscreen. (Which people didn’t want to do because it didn’t feel good!)
So, I went on a mission to change the way the world thought about SPF — and to stop the epidemic of skin cancer — by creating clean, feel-good sunscreen that you’ll want to wear every single day!
How does Supergoop! Make it easier for users to ensure they are incorporating sunscreen, and the right products, into their routine?
This is so core to all that we do at Supergoop! — if we want you to wear SPF every day, we have to make it easy! First and foremost, we focus on developing innovative formulas for all skin types, tones and routines (we have 40+ options so far!), so everyone can find an SPF that suits their skin and lifestyle. But we go even further to focus on incorporating SPF into skincare and makeup products that people already love — like a moisturizer, Vitamin C serum and eyeshadow — so it’s super easy to start wearing SPF without having to add another step into your daily routine!
Which of your products would you recommend for users who are trying your brand out for the first time?
You can’t go wrong with Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 and PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50!
Unseen is our #1 bestseller, and a personal favorite. It’s 100% invisible, weightless, scentless and it works on all skin types. Plus, it not only protects against UV rays, but also helps protect against blue light, too! It’s the perfect everyday SPF for face.
PLAY was our very first sunscreen — we call it “The OG Clean SPF” because it was the first SPF on the market that’s made with clean ingredients — and it’s a longtime fan favorite. It’s great for face and body, and since it’s water- and sweat-resistant it’s perfect for what the name suggests: a day of play!
What are some of the biggest things you’ve learned about skincare and suncreen since launching this business?
When I launched Supergoop! 16 years ago, I honestly didn’t have a great understanding of skincare beyond making sure my skin was cleansed and moisturized––and I didn’t even understand the importance of daily SPF! But when I found out my friend had been diagnosed with skin cancer, that inspired me to do a ton of research, and that was when I learned that there is no such thing as skincare without SPF. So that was definitely the biggest unlock for me. Since then, I’ve learned other nuances – like how buzzworthy skincare ingredients like Vitamin C absolutely have to have SPF in the mix in order to be effective. In fact, I’ve had so many skincare and suncare learnings over the years that we ended up coining a phrase called Protect Your Investment at Supergoop! to teach our customers all about how you cannot be investing in your skin with serums, treatments, etc. without the presence of SPF. It’s the one holy grail ingredient that will make the biggest difference in your skin’s health.
How have you adjusted your sunscreen regimen over time as you’ve learned more about your skin and what works best for you?
Great question. I’d say that a lot of changes that I’ve made to my SPF Wardrobe (as I like to call it) over the years have been rooted in what I feel like my skin needs at that point in time. For instance, in the winter, my skin is drier and really benefits from major hydration — so that’s when I lean into things like Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40 or Glowscreen SPF 40, both of which have incredibly moisturizing benefits. If my skin’s going through a sensitive spell, then I’ll reach for things like Mattescreen SPF 40 or our (Re)Setting Powder SPF 35. These formulas blur and cover imperfections while being super gentle in the process. One of the beautiful things about Supergoop! is that we have created over 40 SPF options for people to choose from for this very reason — and as they get to know their skin, or as their skin changes over time, our different products can meet them exactly where they are.
Along with using sunscreen, what are some of the most important aspects of your self-care routine?
My daily workouts are a huge aspect of my self-care routine — they really set the tone for my day, and sometimes I’ll even have major “aha!” moments (related to work or just life in general!) right in the middle of one of my Pilates sessions. I’m also all about balance and don’t underestimate the power of rituals that are on the more relaxing side, like a nightly bath or even just lighting an uplifting candle in the mornings while I’m getting ready for lots of Zoom calls.
Aerie fam, do you have any suncare tips and tricks that have helped you stay protected? Let us know in the comments!