Your November Skin Check-In

Small habits. A little more attention to your skin.

National Healthy Skin Month is an awareness initiative from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Wherever you are, November is a gentle reminder to revisit your sunscreen habits and get to know your skin.

Start with your sun-care routine

Sun care works best when it's part of getting ready, not an afterthought at the beach. The AAD recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on any skin not covered by clothing, alongside shade and sun-protective clothing.

Follow your sunscreen's label for application and use. When you're outdoors, reapply about every two hours, and after swimming or sweating, as the product directions say. Don't forget the spots that are easy to miss, like your ears and neck.

Worth remembering: A higher SPF doesn't mean you can skip reapplication.

Get to know what's usual for your skin

A skin self-check is about noticing changes, not diagnosing them. Use good lighting and a full-length mirror to look at your skin from the front, back and sides. Ask someone you trust to help with areas that are hard to see. The AAD's step-by-step guide walks you through a fuller self-exam.

Read here the AAD skin self-exam guide

When to seek professional advice

If you notice a new spot, a spot that looks different from the others, or anything that is changing, itching or bleeding, book an appointment with a licensed medical professional such as a dermatologist. You don't need to decide what a change means before asking for help.

Skincare shopping is not a substitute for medical assessment. This page offers general education only, not a diagnosis or personalized medical advice, and sunscreen is not a treatment for a concerning skin change.