A note from Maddy, co-founder of Luna Bronze

Hi there! Maddy here, co-founder at Luna Bronze. As someone who’s spent years navigating the ups and downs of skin health, I wanted to share my personal journey with skin cancer. It’s a story of lessons learned, habits changed, and the importance of protecting the skin you’re in. I hope my experience resonates with you and inspires you to take your sun safety seriously.

My journey with skin cancer

In November 2024, I had surgery to remove two more basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) from my chest. Yep, yet another round in my ongoing saga with skin cancer. It all started in 2014 when I got my first diagnosis, and let’s just say it’s been a journey of learning - sometimes the hard way - about sun safety, resilience, and the importance of taking care of my skin.

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and, frankly, it’s pretty sneaky. It loves to pop up in areas that get a lot of sun, like your face, neck, and chest. While it’s not usually life-threatening, it can still cause serious damage, especially the infiltrating kind that digs deeper into your skin. Fun, right?

When I first heard “skin cancer,” I imagined something dramatic. Instead, it looked like a tiny spot - hardly a cause for alarm. But looks can be deceiving and it was only the random bleeding that triggered my attention, which is why regular checkups and staying vigilant are so important.

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Changing my sun habits

Back in the day, I was all about that golden glow. Sunbeds? Check. Hours spent baking under the sun? Double check. I wanted the perfect tan and wasn’t too worried about the long-term consequences. Fast forward to 2014, and I learned the hard way that my “tanning goals” were not worth it.

These days, SPF is my best friend. I never leave the house without it, whether it’s sunny, cloudy, or raining cats and dogs. My top picks? Ultraviolette Extreme Screen SPF 50+ , La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Fluid SPF 50+ and We Are Feel Good Inc Sticky Zinc SPF50+. They’re lightweight, effective, and make wearing sunscreen feel like less of a chore. Hats, sunglasses, and UV-protective clothing are also non-negotiable - basically, I’ve become the person who lives under a sun umbrella at the beach.

The “in-between times”

What’s really tripped me up, though, are the sneaky moments of sun exposure - the so-called “in-between times.” You know, those quick trips to the shops, walking to your car, or even sitting near a sunny window. It’s easy to forget that UV rays don’t take a break, and they’re quietly doing their thing while you’re not paying attention.

Now, I’m all about staying covered, no matter how short the outing. Reapplying sunscreen, wearing protective layers, and just being mindful of shade are little things that make a big difference.

My favorite sunscreens (a.k.a. My skin’s lifeline)

Here are the SPF heroes I swear by:

1. Ultraviolette Extreme Screen SPF 50+ – Hydrating, lightweight, and very luxe

2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Fluid SPF 50+ – Lightly tinted and blends beautifully - I wear this instead of foundation and always get compliments on how glowy I am looking! (Hint: mix these with our Cosmic Bronzing Drops for a seriously radiant look)

3. We Are Feel Good Inc Sticky Zinc SPF50+ – Affordable and great for using at the beach or when I’m in the water (which is as much as possible, all year round!)

I’ve also added a few extras to my routine, like exfoliating to keep my skin smooth and hydrated, and using antioxidant-packed products to help repair any lingering damage. It’s not just about protecting my skin anymore; it’s about giving it a little extra TLC.

The "tan lines" trend

Recently, I’ve seen the “tan lines” trend all over social media, and honestly, it’s been hard to watch. And don’t get me started on those UV apps… These young people are baking themselves silly to achieve exaggerated tan lines as a fashion statement and destroying their skin in the process. If I could sit my 20-year-old self down, I’d tell her that the temporary tan will never be worth the scars, the surgeries, or the constant worry about her skin health. I’d remind her there are other ways of achieving a glow without causing irreversible damage to her skin. 

Moving forward...

The scars on my chest tell a story - a reminder of what I’ve been through and how far I’ve come. Skin cancer is no joke, but it’s also not something to hide from. Sharing my experience is my way of saying, “Hey, take care of your skin. It’s the only one you’ve got.”

Whether it’s booking that skin check, slathering on sunscreen, or finally buying that wide-brimmed hat, it’s never too late to start. Let’s glow safely together and remember that if you choose to tan, the only safe option is a sunless one.