Protecting skin health and the planet

Bridging the knowledge gap

Despite initiatives such as these run by the SCF, instances of skin cancer continue to rise across the world. This demonstrates the ongoing need for awareness building and educational campaigns.

The 38-foot Destination Healthy Skin RV travels around the US from May to September, spending two days in each community it visits. It is equipped with two private exam rooms where local volunteer dermatologists perform screenings and, in the waiting areas, program managers answer questions and distribute informative materials and sun protection products.

Among the notable cities included on the 2022 schedule are New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, with events held in many of these destinations to raise awareness and educate those wishing to develop their understanding. 

dsm-firmenich representatives have also joined the SCF on the road, attending key events where they help to answers questions from the public, including hosting Safer Under the Sun Day, a skin cancer prevention and education awareness event to commemorate the Company’s 2022 sponsorship of Destination Healthy Skin.

Engaging in open conversations with event attendees, dsm-firmenich has confirmed that there are some commonly held misconceptions; people not realising how often they need to wear (or reapply) sunscreen, not understanding that skin protection is needed regardless of weather, or believing that wearing sunscreen will impact the positive benefits they might receive from vitamin D intake.

The first example is a case in point – a 2015 study in the US revealed that just 14% of men (293 of 2,093 respondents) and 30% of women (582 of 1,940 respondents) use sunscreen daily ¹. This is not a problem limited to the US either; a global survey commissioned by dsm-firmenich showed that almost half (44%) of respondents in France don’t use any sort of protection from the sun and its potentially harmful rays ^2 _.

Striking a balance between human health and that of the planet

One conversational topic that has grown louder in recent years is the potential environmental impact of UV filters. While this is a valid concern, some sensational, one-sided articles in the media have coloured perceptions on this front by not telling the whole story. In our mind, society would benefit from the media instead focusing on how conscientious consumers can strike a balance between their own health and that of the planet.

With consumer pressure and a move towards transparency in mind, the challenge to industry is to provide solutions for eco-conscious consumers. Working towards this goal should accelerate sustainable innovation and, in the meantime, we should continue efforts to maintain a balance between the health of humans and the planet.

There have also been helpful re-classifications of sun protection products in some regions as part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be required by outdoor workers, such as lifeguards or refuse collectors. Anything that improves accessibility to sunscreen can only be positive, and the repositioning of sunscreen as a necessity as opposed to a seasonal product is significant.