Ode to Sunscreen

I spent this past weekend in Palm Desert. More specifically, I spent it at a pool at a hotel in Palm Desert. And while I was sitting there, liberally applying my SPF 30 Dry-touch sunscreen to my rather pale body and a different oil-free sunscreen to my face, I thought to myself, "Thank God for sunscreen."

It's not said enough. Without sunscreen, I cannot enjoy a good book (or, as was the case this weekend, a good water gun), without serious pain and placing my health in even more serious jeopardy. It's a very under-appreciated product.

Not only does its mere existence increase the pleasure of my existence but take a moment to think about its form. Yes, we often complain that it smells funny and feels slimy on our hands but, in its development, it was not so pristine. In fact, at one point, it was red, and of the consistency of petroleum jelly (not to mention not nearly as effective as today's product). Sunscreen was introduced to the market in the late 30s and early 40s (which explains the athletic fashions of previous times) and the SPF term we so freely throw about today came about approximately 25 years later by the same man, Franz Greiter, who had produced what is considered to be the first effective sunscreen. That is a lifetime dedicated to sunscreen. And, I say, a life well spent!!

Without sunscreen, where would you be? Tied to your house with brief excursions outside? Or worse, venturing out with layers of clothing, covering every morsel of your body including your face? Lovely.

It's been said that coffee makes modern life possible. So be it. Coffee makes the work world possible. But sunscreen, ah sunscreen, sunscreen makes modern leisure time possible.