Kenvue, Walgreens and MRF come together on sun safety initiative

Kenvue is advancing its commitment to educating adults and youth about the importance of practicing safe skin care and overall skin health. 

In coordination with Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month in July, the company’s Neutrogena brand is collaborating with Walgreens and the Melanoma Research Foundation, or MRF, to equip families with the information needed to help protect their skin from the sun by offering free skin cancer screenings and education on effective products.

“Summer is full of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and create fun memories with friends and loved ones, but it also increases our skin’s exposure to harmful UV rays,” said Liz Pandya, head of public health and education, at Kenvue. “That’s why we’re proud to help arm families with the knowledge and resources they need to be sun safe every day.”

[Read more: Neutrogena, Walgreens join forces on sun safety importance]

In collaboration with Neutrogena, Walgreens on July 20, hosted SPF Fest, an outdoor interactive community-oriented event in Chicago. Neutrogena experts were on hand to share product recommendations, and the MRF offered free skin cancer screenings. 

According to the MRF, nearly 93% of cutaneous melanomas are related to excess UV exposure, and regular screenings are vital to help detect melanoma in its earliest stages.

Sixty seven screenings took place at the event. Respondents who had screenings also were asked questions: 

• Have you ever had a screening before? 12 said yes; 51 said no; 4 did not answer.
• Do you have a dermatologist?  8 said yes; 55 said no; 4 did not answer
• Do you use sunscreen? 1 said never; 5 said no; 6 said rarely; 31 said sometimes; 24 said always                      
• Have you ever used indoor tanning? 17 said yes; 47 said no; 3 did not answer       
• 7 were referred for follow-up biopsy 

“We’re thrilled to work alongside Neutrogena and MRF to educate Chicagoans on the importance of protecting our skin during the long summer days spent in the sun," said Heather Hughes, group vice president and general merchandise manager for health, wellness, beauty, and personal care at Walgreens. "Customers outside of the Chicago area can always stop by their local Walgreens to consult with our Beauty and Wellness Consultants and Pharmacists for personalized sunscreen recommendations tailored to their individual needs.”

“As the largest independent organization devoted to eradicating melanoma, the MRF is pleased to collaborate with its longstanding National Prevention Partner, Neutrogena, and Walgreens this UV Safety Month at the upcoming SPF Fest,” said MRF CEO Kyleigh LiPira. “Fostering patient education and promoting awareness around the importance of sun safety and prevention is integral to the MRF’s mission and we are elated to facilitate complimentary skin checks for the greater Chicago community.”

[Read more: Protect yourself: Sunscreen trends blend into the beauty space]

Kenvue also is advancing skin protection education through its sponsorship of Young Minds Inspired, a leading provider of free educational outreach programs for learners of all ages. As part of the sponsorship, this fall, Young Minds Inspired will launch a free education program, Sun Safety for All, that teaches the basics of skin health through sun safety. Developed alongside experts in youth education and dermatology, the program is geared toward teachers, students and families. It’s a turn-key program flexibly designed with digital and print resources to support ELA, Science & health curricula.

“UV rays don’t stop as the summer winds down and it’s time to go back to school, and neither should protective skin care,” Pandya said. “By working with Young Minds Inspired, we’re making it fun and engaging to learn what it means to practice safe skin care. We hope that teachers and families embrace the program for a healthy start to the new school year.”

“YMI, the leading provider of educational materials, is proud to collaborate with Kenvue to develop a sun care educational campaign that will engage millions of kids in grades 3rd through 8th and their families,” said Donald Lay, managing partner and owner at YMI. “Our interactive print and digital content will educate and increase awareness about the effects of UV rays on the skin and the importance of consistent sun protection. Together, we can make a difference in protecting families and promoting overall well-being.”

The Sun Safety for All program will begin as a pilot, with a rollout scheduled in 20 states timed for the back-to-school season.