Don’t store sunscreen in your car: Tip of the Day 5-11-22
I‘m more intentional than ever about applying sunscreen, and applying it to my hands before driving. It’s tempting to leave a small bottle of sunscreen in my car so that I‘ll always have it when needed. But skin experts say that’s a big no-no!
In an interview with Sutter Health, dermatologist Joseph Chao, M.D. explains, “Sunscreens, particularly chemical sunscreens with active ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone, can degrade with exposure to high temperatures from sitting in the car, particularly during sunny months. This leads to inadequate protection from harmful UV light and subsequent sun burns, which is a risk factor for skin cancer development”.
Sutter Health suggests wrapping bottles of sunscreen in a towel when you’re at the beach to protect it from direct sunlight.