I Survived Melanoma — Here's How I Protect My Skin From the Sun Now

This story is part of Survivor's Guide, a series on navigating the impact of melanoma through beauty and self-care.

You've heard the lecture many, many times in your life about sun protection from your parents, social media, dermatologists, and even us Allure staffers — and with good reason. Protecting yourself from UVA and UVB rays can, indeed, help prevent painful sunburns, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and more. However, there's one key purpose of sun protection that doesn't get discussed nearly enough: prevention of skin cancer, specifically, melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. 

As dermatologists will tell you, limiting your sun exposure and taking other protective measures such as wearing sunscreen daily can lessen the risk of melanoma, regardless of age or background. "Skin cancer is such a unique [type of] cancer because we know exactly what causes it — the sun's ultraviolet rays — and we can limit sun exposure," Elizabeth Hale, a dermatologist in New York City and a senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, previously told Allure. 

People who have survived melanoma will urge you to do just that. Below, we speak to five melanoma survivors about their current sun protection routines, which involve a lot more than just wearing sunscreen when outside. If you need recommendations for UV-protective clothing, tips for avoiding peak sun exposure, or bronzed makeup that'll keep you away from the tanning bed, these melanoma fighters have you covered. 

Adams, who was diagnosed with melanoma in 2019, leans on special UV-blocking clothing to keep her safe on the sunniest of days. "I have become a brand ambassador for L.U.V. (Low Ultraviolet) which is a female-founded, safe, and fashionable UPF 50+ lifestyle brand on a mission to educate and protect the public from skin cancer," she says. Some examples of this brand's UPF (which means ultraviolet protective factor, by the way) options include long-sleeved tops, wide-brimmed hats, wraps that can be worn as skirts or shawls.

That's definitely not the end of Adams's protective measures, though, because she's outside in the sun a lot. "I run every day, golf occasionally, and love to hike and kayak in the summertime," she says. "I make sure to protect my skin by using SPF 30 Banana Boat Ultra Sport on my legs, arms, back, and chest; on my face, I use CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30." Adams makes sure to reapply both every 30 to 60 minutes, especially if it's hot or humid enough to sweat. 

"The most important thing I do for my skin is going to the dermatologist every three months."

Regular check-ups are also a nonnegotiable part of this routine. "The most important thing I do for my skin is going to the dermatologist every three months — since my diagnosis, it is something I do frequently per my doctor's recommendation." If you're like her and spend plenty of time in the sun (and/or use tanning beds, as Adam says she used to do), she urges you to book an appointment ASAP. "For those of you who have not yet been diagnosed, I encourage everyone to go to an annual skin check," she advises. "Skin checks save lives; it saved mine in 2019."  

Gilstrap's approach to sun protection is extra vigilant. "I have to be conscious of every product I put on my skin, always ensuring I am 100 percent protected from harmful UV rays," she explains. She also visits a dermatologist every six months for a full-body inspection. "In-between these, I check and monitor all my moles myself to see if they have changed size or color."

She loves looking bronzed and hitting the beach frequently, so sunless self-tanner is a huge part of her beauty routine as opposed to tanning beds or traditional sun-tanning. "Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Foam has been my saving grace for a sunless tan since I can remember," Gilstrap recalls. "It also gives me that extra boost of confidence by helping to alleviate the visibility of scars I have."

"[A self-tanning foam] gives me that extra boost of confidence by helping to alleviate the visibility of scars I have." 

Of course, Gilstrap stays well-stocked on sunscreen for the face and body, too. "Murad has a fantastic SPF face moisturizer I apply under everything, every day, and when I am out for the day, Sun Bum is my go-to SPF for my face, body, and lips," she reveals. "Lastly, if you catch me on the beach, you won't see me go without a giant sun hat — Noa Kai Swimwear makes my favorite ones."

Johnson's approach to protecting her skin is less about products and more about keeping sun-safe habits. "I avoid the sun as much as possible," she explains. "I wear protective clothing such as baseball caps, long sleeves, and pants the majority of the time." Because dark colors absorb more light and, therefore, more heat, she keeps a closet full of light-colored clothing to stay cool and attract less sun. 

"When I drive, I protect my arms with a bath towel on sunny days."

She spends a lot of time in her car, too, where sun rays are almost always pouring in through the windows onto her arms and hands. Johnson has an inventive, no-cost protective measure against that, too. "When I drive, I protect my arms with a bath towel on sunny days," she says. "I also wear sunglasses every day."

At a very young age, Sofia was diagnosed with dysplastic nevus syndrome, meaning she is "covered from head to toe with freckles and moles" and has a naturally heightened risk of skin cancer. After having a handful of close calls, she was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 31 and has since made it a lifelong mission to nail down the perfect sun protection routine. She describes it as "more crucial than ever."

First thing's first, avoiding the outdoors at peak sun exposure is a must. "I avoid peak sun exposure hours from 11 am to 4 pm given my particular increased risk of developing skin cancer," she explains. "I understand that it's important to get a 'healthy dose' of vitamin D, so I will go out in the sun for short periods of time, but never without applying my favorite sunblock." That would be CeraVe's Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50.

Keeping the skin clear, well-hydrated, and healthy is Sofia's other underlying secret to preventing skin cancer. Rather than tanning in a bed or outdoors, she prefers to get a "natural glow" from consistent cardio-based exercise, a solid skin-care routine, and sleep, sleep, sleep. "Getting a good night's sleep cannot be underestimated — this helps keep my skin blemish-free and decreases stress wrinkles," Sofia explains. "I wash my face with Desert Essence Gentle Facial Scrub. Before I go to bed, I apply Acure Ultra Hydrating Facial Gel to keep my skin looking fresh and well-hydrated."

There's no such thing as too much SPF for Balkcom, who was diagnosed with melanoma in 2018 while pregnant with her son. Now, protecting her own skin along with her family's is a top priority — and that means sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. 

"I changed my daily skin-care routine by using a face moisturizer with SPF before applying my makeup; I use Neutrogena's Oil-Free SPF 35 Facial Moisturizer," Balkcom explains. "I also changed my liquid foundation to one with SPF, L'Orèal Paris True Match with SPF 17." That's not all for her face, either  — she also applies Brush On Block, a translucent matte powder with SPF 30, on top of her foundation.

Balkcom's body gets just as much attention when it comes to sun care. "Being in Florida, we are constantly in the sun, even when I am working in my office, so I use a daily SPF moisturizing lotion for my body," she says. And if she's out at the beach or doing something active outside, she reaches for Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Spray (especially for her kids, who hate getting slathered in traditional formulas). 

"I have a large collection of UPF clothing for being outdoors."

Speaking of being outdoors, her whole family stays stocked on protective clothes, accessories, and other staples just for outdoor time because they tend to have a lot of that with lakes, hiking trails, and sports events. "I make sure that I have UVA/UVB sunglasses with me when I am outside or in the car," Balkcom explains. "My husband just got me some Polarized UV sunglasses by Native EyeWear that I am in love with."

She also uses an Ozark Trail Canopy or Alvantor Coolhut Beach Tent Umbrella (a tent made from UPF 50 fabric) when she knows the family will be outside for a long stretch of time. "I also bring along my big shade hats; I have a super cute striped one from Coolibar, a great UPF clothing line," Balkcom explains. "I also have a large collection of UPF clothing for being outdoors… I have a lot of Columbia UPF long sleeve shirts as well as windbreakers.. and some leggings from a fellow melanoma fighter's clothing line, Desert Camo Apparel."

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