Sunscreen Day
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Overview
Sunscreen Day, observed annually on May 27th, serves as a crucial reminder about the importance of protecting our skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. It highlights the necessity of regular sunscreen application, alongside other sun-safe behaviors like seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, to prevent sunburn, premature skin aging, and significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer, encouraging a habit of sun protection as warmer weather arrives.
Origin and story
The first commercially successful sunscreen was created in 1944 by Benjamin Green, a Florida pharmacist.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how much UV radiation is required to cause sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin relative to unprotected skin.
Quick facts
- DateMay 27
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
Modern sunscreen exists because of a bad sunburn. Swiss chemistry student Franz Greiter got badly burned climbing Mount Piz Buin in 1938, and the experience led him to develop "Gletscher Crème" (Glacier Cream) in 1946 — the product that became the Piz Buin brand, still sold today. Greiter later devised the SPF (sun protection factor) rating system in the 1960s to give that early cream, and everything after it, a standardized number.
Apply it properly
- Reapply sunscreen roughly every two hours outdoors, and more often after swimming or heavy sweating, since even water-resistant formulas wear off with time and friction.
Read the fuller history
Helpful resources: A peer-reviewed history published on PubMed Central traces sunscreen's development from the 1920s to today in "Sunscreen: a brief walk through history."
Understand what the number means
- Learn how the SPF rating measures protection against UVB rays specifically, and check a label for broad-spectrum protection if you also want defense against UVA rays.
Did you know?
Greiter's original 1946 Glacier Cream had an SPF of just 2 — a small fraction of the SPF 30, 50, or higher formulas considered a baseline standard for sun protection today.
Fun facts
- The first commercially successful sunscreen was created in 1944 by Benjamin Green, a Florida pharmacist.
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how much UV radiation is required to cause sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin relative to unprotected skin.
- Experts recommend applying sunscreen at least 15-30 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to adequately bind to the skin.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Sunscreen Day?
- It is observed on May 27 each year.
- What is Sunscreen Day?
- Sunscreen Day, observed annually on May 27th, serves as a crucial reminder about the importance of protecting our skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. It highlights the necessity of regular sunscreen application, alongside other sun-safe behaviors like seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, to prevent sunburn, premature skin aging, and significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer, encouraging a habit of sun protection as warmer weather arrives.
- How do people celebrate Sunscreen Day?
- Reapply sunscreen every couple hours outdoors, check for broad-spectrum protection, and read up on Franz Greiter, the chemist whose bad sunburn led him to invent modern sunscreen and the SPF rating system.
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