I don’t know about you but after being quarantined inside this spring, now that it’s warmer weather all I want to do is go outside. Whether it’s taking a walk, going to the beach, gardening in my yard or just lounging on the deck at my condo on the corner at the Jersey shore, I’m in my happy place when it’s sunny.
However, since having had mohs surgery on my head to remove a cancerous mole last fall, I need to be extra cautious about staying safe in the sun. That’s why I was excited to learn about the stylish UPF 50 sunhats from Sungrubbies. The nice marketing director at Sungrubbies sent an invite to collaborate on a blog post. They provided me with two complimentary UPF 50 sunhats that have fast become my favorite summer accessories. In addition, thanks to Sungrubbies, my current giveaway will provide one lucky reader with a UPF 50 sunhat of their very own.*
So, dear friends, read on and find out more. Then leave a comment and/or enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.
Since having a cancerous mole on my scalp I like to wear hats when out in the sun
Why I wear hats when I’m out in the sun
I go to the dermatologist annually (or sometimes every six months) to get my skin checked from head to toe. My mom had melanoma when she was in her 60s, so I am especially cautious. According to my dermatologist, “skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and can develop anywhere on your skin. It’s most common on areas often exposed to the sun, and your scalp is one of those.”
While I used to wear a visor, now that I had a basal cell carcinoma on my scalp, I like to make sure my entire head is covered.
My Sungrubbies hat “blocks out the Sun and not the Fun”
Block out the Sun, not the Fun
Photo courtesy of Sungrubbies
“Block out the Sun, not the Fun is our motto,” says Sungrubbies owner Sandra. And it’s a great rule to live by.
The small, family business was founded in 1997. “We work very hard to make an honest living and we care very much about your experience,” says Sandra. “We spend a great deal of time researching and clinically testing our products, which we have designed based on our own experiences with sun protection, and we hope you will be absolutely delighted with them.
The scary truth is that 40 to 50 percent of adults will have either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma at least once by the time they hit 65.
Choosing a good sun hat is very important. Not only do 1/3 of all skin cancers appear on the face but the biggest cause of premature aging is cumulative damage of the sun from infancy on up.”
Selecting two stylish UPF 50 sunhats
Ooh, ooh, ooh, there are so many stylish UPF 50 sunhats to choose from on the Sungrubbies website. There are floppy hats, fashion hats, visor hats, foldable travel hats, fedoras, derbies and more. There are sunhats for women and men as well as sun-protective clothing and accessories like gloves, umbrellas, and face shields.
So many styles – how do I decide? I liked the lightweight and sun-protective garden hats with wide, stiff brims and adjustable chinstraps. According to Sungrubbies, “garden hats are made from straw to allow for air circulation (keeping the head cool) and have an adjustable chinstrap so as to not fall off during activities or wind.”
Sungrubbies Rachel UPF 50 garden hat offers sun protection with a stylish and colorful design
The team at Sungrubbies were so gracious to offer me two stylish UPF 50 sunhats. OMG I am so lucky! My first choice: A bright and colorful Rachel garden hat in mint with summery aqua colors. My second: The Outrigger in coffee with more neutral tones that go with any outfit. Both garden hats keep my face and neck equally protected from the sun and with a handy chinstrap won’t fly off at the beach.
After following the Sungrubbies sizing chart I found that a medium fit perfectly. (Note: Definitely take your head measurements before purchasing a sunhat.)
The Outrigger hat has a chinstrap to prevent flyaways on a windy day at the beach
My esthetician D warned me about more and more sun damage spots on my face during a pre-Covid facial. “Don’t sit out in the sun too much,” she said. “And put sunscreen on when you’re driving or a passenger in a car.” D will be glad to know I now have two beautiful UPF 50 sunhats to shield my face from the sun’s rays.
More tips for staying safe in the sun
The experts at Sungrubbies provided a few more tips for staying safe in the sun this summer. Here’s the scoop:
♥ Sunscreen suggestions: Many people don’t realize that their favorite sunscreen might not be shielding their skin from UVA rays, which equal 95 percent of the Earth’s UV radiation. When out in the sun during the hottest parts of the day (10 am – 4 pm) take a few extra minutes to apply broad-spectrum UVA/UVB-blocking sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone. Plus, it’s also essential to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. An SPF rating can give a false sense of security.
♥ Sun-protective hats and clothing: High quality sun protective clothing offers continual protection for the duration of exposure to UV rays. Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates how much UV radiation (both UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin. For example, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun’s rays and allows two percent (1/50th) to penetrate, thus reducing your exposure risk significantly.
I wear sunhats and sunscreen in the sun so hopefully I won’t end up all wrinkly like this turtle I met near the beach last week
Enter the giveaway for a Sungrubbies stylish UPF 50 sunhat
Now that you know all about staying safe and stylish out in the sun, it’s time to enter the giveaway for a Sungrubbies sunhat. To participate either leave a comment and let me know a favorite outdoor activity you have planned for this summer and/or enter via the Rafflecopter below.
I know times are tough with Covid-19, but there’s nothing like a little sunshine and warmth to perk things up. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe summer 2020.
Judi
*Disclosure of Material Connection: Sungrubbies provided me with a complimentary sunhats. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
We go on family bike rides, which will come to an end in a few years when our kids are old enough to realize that they should be embarrassed to be seen in public with us!!
Tim, you never know. My son likes to go bicycling with me and he is in his 30s.
BBQ
Nothing beats a BBQ in the summer.
I love fishing more than anything.. I suffer from ptsd and major depression, and I think of fishing as therapy.
Mya, sorry you are suffering. But glad that fishing provides some relief and happiness. Hope you catch a big fish.
I live eight blocks from the ocean in Southern California, and our pier just reopened this week, so soon I’ll be heading out for one of my favorite activities — beach walks!
How wonderful to live so close to the beach and to live in Southern California. I so enjoy walks on the beach at the shore too.
I love to go running or walking in the late afternoon or at night once it’s cooled down. I also love reading on my deck.
Elle, I sometimes walk later in the day too.
I like to have BBQs in the summer and I also like to play tennis and go swimming.
Linda, that sounds like a great way to enjoy the warm weather.
Reader L said: “ What a great looking hat to wear when I go hiking with my honey through the State Park.”
Puttering in the garden! It wouldn’t be summer without growing a tomato plant or two. This year, however, going to my favorite nursery at the start of the planting season was not a prudent option. Fortunately, I came across a video produced by my town’s recycling and refuse department on growing vegetables from what you might find in your kitchen. While some techniques were familiar, the plant a tomato slice was new to me. I currently have 3 robust roma tomato plants in pots thanks to Mr. Neese… and the happy anticipation of tomatoes fresh from the garden!
Enjoy your tomatoes this summer. I wish I was able to have a summer veggie garden but I don’t have the space in my backyard.
Not a fan of summer in Houston but I still need to walk my dog.
Wendy, I’m sure it’s hot in Houston in the summer. Guess walking the dog provides good exercise.