As summer rolls in, many of us find ourselves spending more time outdoors—whether it's tending to our gardens or enjoying a barbecue. Alongside homemade ice cream and fresh watermelon, sunscreen should be a staple in your routine. Not just in the summer, but all year round. It may seem like one more task to add to an already busy to-do list, but the truth is, applying sunscreen daily to protect your skin from harmful UV rays is absolutely necessary. Even on cloudy days, UV rays can penetrate the clouds and cause damage.
John Cena, the globally recognized actor and the face of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF sunscreen, didn’t think he’d ever develop skin cancer, but after receiving a diagnosis, he knew he had to take his sun protection routine seriously. He has since shared some brilliant tips for making sunscreen a daily habit, and one of them has to do with something as simple as organizing your bathroom.
Cena admits that he never thought he'd be at risk of skin cancer. But when he received the call from his doctor, he realized that neglecting sun protection had finally caught up with him. "It was a very serious realization that my lack of sun protection had caught up with me," he says. For many, sunscreen is something you only think about on beach days, but Cena knows better. "Especially in a sunny place like Florida where I live, those UV rays come through the car window. So I wear it every day."
What’s the trick to making sunscreen a daily habit? Cena suggests, "You brush your teeth every day. Applying sunscreen doesn’t add much time, either. Put the sunscreen right next to your toothpaste so you don’t forget." It’s a simple yet effective trick—placing sunscreen in a visible spot can remind you to apply it while brushing your teeth, ensuring that sun protection becomes just as routine as your oral hygiene.
Cena also carries what he calls a "doc bag," a shoulder bag filled with the essentials he uses daily, including sunscreen. "I always have sunscreen with me, ready to reapply," he says. "It’s right next to my cologne and a book I enjoy reading." He stresses that reapplication is crucial, especially if you're sweating or swimming, as sunscreen typically needs to be reapplied every two hours. Many people don't use enough sunscreen to begin with, so it's even more important to remember to reapply regularly.
Don’t forget those often-overlooked spots like your ears, lips, the backs of your legs, and feet. "I wear shorts, so I have to remind myself to put sunscreen on the backs of my calves too," Cena points out. For smaller spots like ears and areas around straps, he recommends using sunscreen in stick form. Not only are sticks easy to carry around, but they’re also convenient for touch-ups on the go, and they won’t leave residue on your hands.
In addition to daily sun protection, Cena emphasizes the importance of annual skin checks. "This saved my life," he says. "Living in Florida, I thought I should have my skin checked. The first few checkups were fine, but then I got the call that I needed to come back because the spots that had been removed were cancerous." Fortunately, the cancer hadn’t spread, but Cena now makes it a point to stay on top of his skin health. If you have a family history of skin cancer or other risk factors, it's essential to see a dermatologist more frequently.
Cena’s key message is simple: "Without sun protection, the math is not in your favor. You can't say, 'It won’t happen to me.' Make sunscreen a part of your daily routine and keep the odds in your favor."
With these simple yet effective organizing tips, Cena not only improved his own health but also spread awareness about the importance of sun protection. In his life, sunscreen has become as routine as brushing his teeth, and this proactive approach to skincare is something we can all learn from. By incorporating sunscreen into your daily habits, you’re not just protecting your skin—you’re also investing in your long-term health.