New Course: Sun Smarts—Why and How to Protect Your Skin

Goal: This course will enable participants to confidently enjoy the sun safely by understanding how sunlight affects the skin, how to protect it from damage, and how to choose the right sun protection. By balancing the benefits of sunlight with the need for skin health, participants will walk away with practical strategies for everyday sun safety.

Topics and Themes:

• The science behind how sunlight (including UVA, UVB, and visible light) interacts with the skin.

• How the skin naturally responds to sun exposure, including melanin production and vitamin D synthesis.

• The difference between SPF levels, mineral vs. chemical sunscreens, and how to read sunscreen labels.

• How to tailor sun safety to different skin tones and types.

• The impact of other light sources (like blue light from screens) on skin health.

• Signs of sun damage, myths about tanning, and tips for daily sun protection—even on cloudy days.

Audience: This course is good for anyone who spends time outdoors or is concerned about maintaining healthy skin in the sun. Whether someone wants to protect against aging, reduce their risk of skin cancer, or just understand what sunscreen they should really be using (and when and how to use it), this course offers essential, everyday guidance for sun-smart living.