In a story of perseverance and dedication to that youthful glow, 24-year-old Josephine Hernandez is continuing to apply sunscreen daily in the winter even though it’s pretty obvious her heart isn’t in it anymore.
“It’s important to continue doing the work, even when it’s hard,” she told reporters gathered at the scene, where she was applying sunscreen despite it being 33 degrees and cloudy outside. “Times like these are when we separate the men from the boys.”
Sources confirm applying sunscreen in the summer has an unmistakable joie de vivre to it, but it is regrettably fleeting.
“The smell of sunscreen evokes beaches and barbecues and late-night hangs where you can still feel your skin glowing from the day’s warmth,” Josephine continued, closing her eyes. “On days like that, I wake up excited to apply my sunscreen because it heralds joyful living.”
In contrast, applying sunscreen in the winter feels like some sort of cruel joke.
“You mean I have to worry about a sunburn and windburn at the same time?” she continued. “Why am I putting on SunBum just to also put on an overcoat, hat, gloves, and two interlocking scarves? That’s when the going gets really tough.”
Josephine makes a point of playing hyperpop while putting on sunscreen during the summer because she’s often on her way to a park hang, but the vibe in the winter is a lot more “Phoebe Bridgers and the sad Bob Dylan songs.”
“There’s a quiet irony to it that I do enjoy leaning into,” she continued. “Putting on sunscreen in the winter is a beautiful reminder of the fleeting nature of joy.”
Scientists applaud Josephine’s consistency, as people often assume it’s impossible to get sun damage during the winter, mistaking low temperatures for low UV.
“You might think the sun takes a break in the winter, but it’s just not true,” said dermatologist Helen Domingo. “Sure, it’s only light outside for, like, four hours, but those four hours can really fuck you up if you’re not careful.”
Sources confirm it’s pretty easy to get burnt in the winter, although it’s nearly impossible to tan, adding to the beautiful torture of the season.
As of press time, Josephine was able to take a bit of solace in the fact that even though she still had to apply sunscreen, at least she didn’t feel obligated to shave her legs.
