Why the Hell Won’t People Wear Sunscreen?

Seriously ladies (and gentlemen), what’s your damage?Wait, don’t answer that. We know what it is—sun damage. And it’s making you look older and potentially threatening your life. And still so many of you refuse to wear sunscreen. And frankly, it’s making us nuts!The facts are indisputable here, according to dermatologist Francesca Fusco. Wearing broad spectrum sunscreen will help prevent you from getting skin cancer and it will slow down aging. In fact, a June 2013 study states that daily, year-round sunscreen use can significantly slow the skin’s aging process by as much as 24 percent. Living long, looking fabulous—is that not interesting to you?MORE: Is SPF in Makeup Enough Protection?That should be all you need right there, but alas, YouBeauty research found that 9 percent of you never, ever wear SPF. Like, ever. Another 32 percent only wear it on sunny days (even though UV rays come through the clouds), and 27 percent only slather up at the beach or the pool. What—you think the sun magically knows the different between a beach vacation and a stroll around the farmer’s market?And an especially big slap on the wrist to that 1 percent of you who still go to tanning beds. FOR SHAME!!We’ve identified a few key reasons why you aren’t applying this miracale anti-ager daily. Here goes.Listen, we know that all the sunscreen information (and misinformation) can get confusing. UVA, UVB, broad spectrum, 15, 30, 70. What does it all mean? For the record once more, you must buy broad spectrum, which means it protects against UVA rays (the ones that age you) and UVB rays (the ones that burn you). And no matter what the bottle says (waterproof, sweat proof), all sunscreen wears off. And reapplication may be a pain in the butt, but much like paying taxes, you gotta do it or suffer a serious penalty.MORE: Why You Should Care About Skin CancerAlong with the hassle, Dr. Fusco says there are a few other factors that she believes keep people from wearing sunscreen. One, “They think they’re not going to get vitamin D.” But she says that you still get vitamin D via your scalp skin or any area you accidentally missed applying your SPF. She also explains that you could still get a dose of vitamin D when you’re wearing sunscreen—it’s not totally bulletproof. If you’re that worried about getting the proper intake, you can take vitamin D3 supplements to raise your levels, so women really have no excuse not to be wearing sunscreen.Second, the clear skin factor. “People are concerned that it will clog their pores and they’ll get pimples, so they either skimp on it or don’t apply at all.” Also, newsflash: The sun is not going to clear up your skin. And the long-term effects of a burn are just not worth it. And finally, “Some people just want color. Period,” says Dr. Fusco.We get it. But you guys know what’s more beautiful than a tan? Looking 20 years younger then you are and not having to go through a skin cancer scare, and the possible scarring that can come with its removal if indeed you end up with a basal cell carcinoma, or God forbid, melanoma.Yes, putting sunscreen on not just your face but also your neck, chest, arms and every exposed body part every day (even when it’s cloudy!) is a drag. We get it. Some formulas are messy and greasy, so you have to experiment to find the one that works for you. YouBeauty favorites include Pratima Neem Rose Face Sunscreen SPF 30, Glytone Suncare Block Sunscreen SPF 40 and Snowberry Everyday SPF 15.So do the right thing, people. We swear you’ll thank us later.QUIZ: Are You At Risk For Skin Cancer?