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Walking on the beach on the Fourth of July, I witnessed America the Sunburned. Reddened beachgoers strolled with ice cream or hot dogs; it would have been a lovely sight if not for the secondhand pain I was feeling.
On first glance, the path to healthy sun exposure seems simple: wear sunscreen and limit your time under the sun’s rays. But figuring out your personal relationship with the sun is a little more complicated. For one thing, public-health guidelines haven’t been totally up front with Americans about the benefits of moderate exposure. And U.S. consumers don’t have access to some of the best sunscreens. Today’s newsletter explores what happens when we spend time in the sun.
On the Sun
Against Sunscreen Absolutism
By Rowan Jacobsen
Moderate sun exposure can be good for you. Why won’t American experts acknowledge that?
You’re Not Allowed to Have the Best Sunscreens in the World
By Amanda Mull
Newer, better UV-blocking agents have been in use in other countries for years. Why can’t we have them here?
The Problem Sunscreen Poses for Dark Skin
By Lola Fadulu
Certain ingredients are pushing people of color away from good skin care.
Still Curious?
- Please don’t read at the beach: A case for going against the grain
- Free sunscreen: Most Americans do not understand SPF ratings or how sunscreen is supposed to work. But they do care about “antiaging” effects, James Hamblin wrote in 2015.
Other Diversions
P.S.
I recently asked readers to share a photo of something that sparks their sense of awe in the world. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve photographed this driveway in Kinderhook, New York. It never ceases to evoke a sense of infinite mystery,” SC, 69, from South Burlington, Vermont, writes.
I’ll continue to feature your responses in the coming weeks. If you’d like to share, reply to this email with a photo and a short description so we can share your wonder with fellow readers in a future edition of this newsletter or on our website. Please include your name (initials are okay), age, and location. By doing so, you agree that The Atlantic has permission to publish your photo and publicly attribute the response to you, including your first name and last initial, age, and/or location that you share with your submission.
— Isabel
