Real Talk - SKIN CANCER

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month — and This Hits Close to Home

Published: May 1, 2025

Today marks the start of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and for me, it’s deeply personal. I had my annual skin check this morning, and it brought up all the emotions — fear, frustration, and honestly...a lot of reflection.

Four years ago, I had my very first full-body skin exam. I was 45 years old. It never even crossed my mind until my Botox injector noticed a suspicious spot on my forehead and said, “You should get that checked.” Around the same time, my husband saw a rough, scabby area on my back that looked “off.” That turned out to be basal cell carcinoma.

Let me rewind a bit…

Today (ironically on first day of skin cancer awareness month) I had my annual skin check.

As you can see here, I had 4 spots frozen off from my face, one on my hand and a biopsy on my leg.

A Sun-Soaked (and Unprotected) Past

I grew up in Miami — as an Irish woman with fair skin, freckles, and blue eyes. Can you even imagine?! My parents were always reminding me to wear sunscreen and stay covered up, but when I was at the beach with my friends... I didn’t listen. I baked in the sun like it was my job.

And now, decades later, I’m paying the price.

Even today — May 1st, 2025 — I had four precancerous spots frozen off during my check-up (yes, it hurts like a b*tch). One was on my forehead, and another on my hand. But the scariest part? A suspicious spot on my shin that my dermatologist didn’t like the look of. She numbed it, cut it out, and sent it off for pathology.

Now I wait — and if you've ever had to wait on biopsy results, you know how mentally exhausting that can be. It's taking me straight into a tailspin. 😞

What I’ve Learned Since My Diagnosis

Since that first basal cell removal four years ago, I’ve done a complete 180 when it comes to sun protection and skin health. I no longer take my skin for granted — and neither should you.

If you take one thing from this post, let it be this:

➡️ Get your skin checked by a professional.
➡️ Every year. Without fail.

Because the scary truth is: skin cancer can look like nothing. A tiny freckle. A mole you've had for years. A dry patch that never quite heals. It's easy to miss — and that’s why a trained dermatologist is essential.

What I Do Now (and What I Recommend to You)

With my work, I’m incredibly lucky to test and try a wide variety of skincare, makeup, and sun protection products. And today, I’m sharing what I personally use and love to help you take care of your skin, too.

💛 These are all affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase — but I only share what I truly love and use myself.

☀️ My Favorite Daily SPF-Infused Foundations: SHOP HERE

  • LOREAL Infallible spf 25

  • No 7 Lift and Luminate serum foundation spf 15

  • No 7 Tinted moisturizer spf 15

💧 My Go-To Moisturizers with SPF: SHOP HERE

  • ELEMIS Pro-Collagen marine cream spf 30

  • NEUTROGENA Collagen bank spf moisturizer spf 30

  • PACIFICA Vega collagen everyday lotion spf 30

🧴 Sunscreens I Trust (Face + Body): SHOP HERE

  • BLUE LIZARD spf 50+

  • NEUTROGENA Sheer zinc face sunscreen spf 50

  • COOLA dew good illuminating body sunscreen spf 40

  • ONE SIZE sunscreen spf 30+

These are my favorite SPF moisturizers! SHOP HERE

.

These are my favorite sunscreens products. SHOP HERE

These are my favorite foundations + skin tint with SPF protection!

SHOP HERE

These are my favorite glowy SPF products! SHOP HERE

A Message for the Younger Generation

To all the young women reading this — and to the moms of daughters like me — please don’t wait.
Sun damage starts when you’re young and shows up later. I deeply regret not protecting my skin during those early years. Even in my 30s and early 40s, I wasn’t as diligent as I should’ve been.

You only get one skin. Treat it like the precious organ it is.

Final Thoughts

I’ll keep you posted on my pathology results. But until then, I’m urging you — from a place of experience, fear, and love — please schedule your skin check, slather on the SPF, and teach your kids to do the same.

If you have questions about anything I shared, or want product recs, feel free to reach out. And if you’ve been putting off that skin exam… consider this your sign.

Stay safe, stay protected, and stay glowing.
— Elaine 🤍

RESOURCES:

Skin Cancer Foundation

American Academy of Dermatology

American Cancer Society

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