May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to check in with yourself, and your travel gear. If you love being outside, hopping on places, and road tripping through national parks, listen up. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. And as a traveler, you’re likely more exposed to harmful UV rays than most folks back home.
So before you zip up your weekend bag and make your way to the airport, here are some tips to review on how to protect your skin on the go. With just a few minor changes to your routine, you can greatly lower your risk of skin cancer and still enjoy the adventuring you love.
Travelers Especially Need This Skin Cancer Awareness Month!
Being mindful of sunburns at the beach or taking a tour of the city is just a fraction of the issue. UV rays can pass through windows on airplanes, buses, trains, and even cars. That means you could be soaking up harmful rays at 30,000 feet without realizing it.
In fact, studies show that airline pilots, crew members, and frequent flyers have higher rates of melanoma and other skin cancers due to UV exposure.
Skin Cancer Awareness Month is your reminder that it’s not just the obvious sunbathing days you need to protect yourself. It’s all the little exposures that add up.
4 Ways to Protect Your Skin While Traveling
1. Travel Sunscreen Is Essential
If there’s one thing you should never forget to pack, it’s sunscreen. But don’t waste money on the overpriced mini sunscreen bottles. They’re smaller and yet somehow double the price.
Gravel’s leak proof travel containers are TSA-compliant, cleanly labeled, and designed to keep your sunscreen (and other liquids) exactly where they belong. They’re the perfect leak proof travel containers to fill at home with your favorite brand, snap shut, and go. Skin Cancer Awareness Month is your reminder to restock your SPF, add sunscreen to all your packing lists, and grab your mini sunscreen container from Gravel.
2. A Travel Hat Is The Best Kind Of Travel Sunscreen
Wearing a hat is one of the best ways to protect your face from sun exposure and reduce your risk of skin cancer. A good hat shields your face from harmful rays when you’re out exploring, whether that’s on a hike, a beach day, or wandering through a new city.
Gravel’s Travelers Hat is one of those grab-and-go essentials you’re going to want on all your adventures. It packs down easy, handles sweat, sudden rain, long flights, and anything else you throw at it. It’s the kind of hat you forget you’re wearing until it shows up in every photo of your trip.
3. Cover Up With Breathable Layers
While sunscreen is a great way to keep skin cancer away, nothing beats fully covering up with clothing. Lightweight materials like linen shirts, airy pants, or SPF-rated fabrics help keep you both cool and covered. The goal is sun protection without overheating, which is why seasoned travelers always keep a long sleeve layer handy.
4. Get in the Habit of Self-Checks
Early detection saves lives. Take a few minutes once a month to check your skin for any new or changing moles. And make an annual visit to a dermatologist part of your routine. Skin Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect nudge to get that appointment on the calendar.
Adventure Is Better with SPF
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, but protecting your skin is a year-round commitment. Especially for travelers. So next time you’re throwing together a weekend bag or prepping for a long-haul flight, pause and ask:
☑ Did I pack my travel sunscreen?
☑ Did I toss in my hat?
☑ Do I have breathable layers to wear?
It all comes down to smart travel. And a little sun safety goes a long way.
Happy sun-protected travels!
