We've all heard the same sunscreen advice over and over again: Everyone needs to wear it, every day, regardless of skin type, skin tone, or the weather. Yet who among us is diligent about heeding this guidance on the daily? Even Cosmo editors slip up (we're only human!) and skip the SPF every once in a while. But with summer on the horizon, now is the time to fully commit to sun-protecting habits. With that in mind, we tasked a couple of our editors with chronicling their sun-care usage over the course of a month in a lil experiment we're calling the Sunscreen Diaries.
Today we're following assistant shopping editor Jasmine Hyman's journey. Below, she shares the EltaMD SPF products that quickly became her must-haves, and the healthy skin habits she picked up along the way.
Week 1:
As the sun began to kindly reveal itself (for what seemed like the first time since the fall), I took every opportunity to exist outside of my apartment this week. I walked along a waterfront path on the Upper East Side of Manhattan each day after work. While the UV index was fairly low, since it was late in the day, I still opted to apply EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ for a layer of protection before heading out. I felt the sun's last rays of the day radiating onto my face, happy that I was fully able to cherish the precious outdoor hours without the looming stress of a potential burn.
Week 2:
The sun was completely uninterested in shining this weekend, and the days were filled with a cycle of dreary drizzles and unwavering gloom. Wednesday was the first day that boasted a glimpse of sunlight, but even then I didn't feel the need to put on sunscreen. I definitely paid the price: My arms began to roast and turn red after about an hour outdoors. The lesson? I cannot afford to skimp on sunscreen—no matter what.
Week 3:
New York City was blessed with two days above 80 degrees this week, and as a result the streets were flooded with people. I spent time during one of them sitting and people-watching in a park, and then continued my afternoon walking around the West Village. I clocked in 17,000 steps this day, not wasting a single moment indoors. Before I left the house, I applied EltaMD's sunscreen stick to my face and shoulders and threw it in my bag to reapply later. What I like about the formula is that it absorbs so well, it doesn't feel like I'm covered in a layer of oil—in fact, it doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything at all. Still, it kept me adequately protected during the day.
Week 4:
On Wednesday of this week, it was irresistibly warm outside, so I decided to work from home to maximize my vitamin D intake and hopefully boost some serotonin (seasonal depression is real, people!). I took several hot-girl walks and then sat on a bench, basking in the sun as I ate lunch. While I love a sun-kissed tan (guilty!), I decided to take extensive precautions, applying the UV Stick on my face and covering my body with EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad-Spectrum SPF 40. After the day outside, I didn't notice any redness (even under my eyes, where I'm always most sensitive to the sun) and also didn't feel the usual dire need to wash it all off as soon as I got home.
Final Thoughts:
Normally I can't get enough sun once April and May roll around. If I have a spare minute outside, I'll angle my face directly up to soak up some extra rays. But since chronicling my sun-care journey with EltaMD, I've definitely become more cognizant of the health of my skin. And while I am admittedly paler than usual at the moment, I'm okay with it. This summer, I plan to keep up with the sunscreen routine—I like the feeling of being protected and sun-safe.
Shop My Picks:
EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
