You probably think wrinkles are something you worry about when you’re, like, forty. And your tween definitely thinks that. But here’s the thing nobody tells you: the skin damage that leads to wrinkles later on starts way earlier than you’d guess. Like, in the tween years. Right now. So if you want to help your daughter (or son) avoid looking older than they really are down the road, the single most powerful thing you can do is get them wearing sunscreen every single day. No exceptions. And no, it doesn’t matter if they’re just going to school or hanging out at a friend’s house.Here’s why this matters so much for tweens. Their skin is still growing and changing. It’s thinner and more sensitive than adult skin. That means the sun’s rays can get in deeper and do more damage faster. And the thing about sun damage is that you don’t see it right away. You see it ten or fifteen years later, when those fine lines start creeping in around the
eyes and mouth. By then, the damage is already done. You can’t reverse it, you can only slow it down. So the smartest move is to start preventing it now, while their skin is still fresh.Now, I know what you’re thinking. “My kid is indoors all day at school. They only go outside for recess and PE. Do they really need sunscreen?” Yes. Because those short bursts add up over the years. And the sun’s rays can reach them through windows, too. Plus, they’re probably running around outside after school or on weekends. If you only put sunscreen on for beach days, you’re missing the real problem. Most of the sun exposure we get in our lifetime happens during everyday activities, not vacations.So how do you make sunscreen a no-brainer for your tween? First, pick the right kind. You don’t need anything fancy or expensive. Look for a sunscreen that says “broad spectrum” on the bottle. That just means it blocks both types of harmful rays. Also make sure it’s SPF 30 or higher. Anything above SPF 50 is overkill, but 30 to 50 is perfect. And please, skip the “sport” or “water resistant” labels unless they’re actually swimming or sweating a ton. Those can be thicker and harder to rub in.Second, make it easy to use. Tweens are busy and forgetful. Put a bottle of sunscreen right next to their toothbrush in the bathroom. That way, applying it becomes part of their morning routine. Or stick a travel-size tube in their backpack. Some kids hate the greasy feel of lotion sunscreens, so try a spray version or a stick. The important thing is that they’ll actually use it. You can also let them pick their own sunscreen at the store. If they get to choose the scent or the brand, they’re way more likely to remember to put it on.Third, lead by example. If you’re slathering sunscreen on yourself every morning, they’ll see that it’s normal. You don’t have to lecture them about wrinkles. Just say, “This is what we do before we leave the house.” Make it as automatic as brushing teeth. And don’t forget their lips. A simple lip balm with SPF is cheap and easy to toss in their pocket.What about days when they’re out in the sun for hours, like at a sports game or pool party? You need to reapply. Set a timer on your phone for two hours. Or make a game of it: “First one to reapply sunscreen gets to pick the snack stop after.” Keep it light, not a chore.One more thing: sunglasses and hats. A wide-brimmed hat does a lot of the work for you, and it protects the delicate skin around the eyes. Plus, sunglasses keep them from squinting, which also causes crow’s
feet later. Get them a pair they like, and they might even wear them without a fight.Look, I get it. Getting a tween to do something they don’t want to do is like pulling teeth. But sunscreen is one habit that pays off big time. Every day they wear it, they’re saving their skin from years of damage. And when they’re in their twenties and thirties and their skin still looks smooth and healthy, they’ll thank you. Or they won’t, because they’ll never know what they missed. But you will. And that’s enough.Start today. One tube of sunscreen. One morning routine. One less thing to worry about down the road. Your tween might roll their
eyes now, but their future skin will be grateful.
