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4 min readIN 2017, JUSTIN Thomas announced himself on the PGA Tour, winning the 2017 PGA Championship and the 2017 FedEx Cup, securing the award for PGA Tour Player of the Year along the way. By 2018, he was ranked number one in the Official World Golf Rankings and would finish first on the PGA Tour money list. But the following year, a skin cancer scare threatened the then-26-year-old’s momentum toward stardom. “Knowing how close I was to a life-threatening situation was a real wake-up call for me,” Thomas tells Men’s Health.
After his dermatologist discovered a concerning mole on his left leg during a routine checkup, they quickly had it removed. Despite leaving the pro with a visible scar, it was caught in the early stages, and the removal was successful. Thomas went on competing, winning the Players Championship in 2021 and his second major, the 2022 PGA Championship. Throughout these tournaments, however, he had a new, additional goal.
“Since my experience with melanoma, I was always on the lookout for a better sunscreen,” Thomas says. When he couldn’t find a high-quality option without digging more into his Tour winnings than he’d like, Thomas opted for an alternative solution: He created his own in WearSPF.
“I am very mindful about what I put in and on my body,” Thomas says, noting how he began a habit of reading labels and deep diving on the ingredients listed before choosing an SPF to wear. “You’d be surprised how many of the popular brands use [Butyloctyl Salicylate] and many other harmful ingredients,” he says.
This made it difficult to encourage those around him to consistently apply sunscreen, which was quickly becoming a passion of his. “I urge everyone to wear sunscreen and to go get your annual skin check,” Thomas says. “It is crucial to be on top of this. Doing so saves lives.” WearSPF was ultimately a reaction to this struggle and his desire to find the best ingredients in products without high prices.
Thomas adds that WearSPF isn’t solely a sunscreen brand; it’s a call to action, especially for young athletes competing in the sun. “I really wanted to create a great product at an accessible price point because sunscreen is for everyone,” he says. “The most important part is making sure that everyone is wearing sunscreen and reapplying on the course or wherever they are.”
With WearSPF, Thomas has made a clear effort to ensure there’s a sunscreen for everybody. There are classic chemical sunscreens and sensitive skin-friendly mineral options, each coming in cream, spray, or stick, so there is really no excuse not to wear SPF. “The idea behind offering sticks, sprays, and lotions is really about fitting into however someone lives their day,” Thomas says. “People have different preferences and habits, but we believe whatever you wear, wear SPF. The one you choose is the right one.”
Be it a lotion, spray, stick, chemical, or mineral, every WearSPF product is designed with active lifestyles in mind. They’re all sweat and water-resistant for 80 minutes, fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin. The formulas are lightweight and fast-absorbing, so they’re perfect for outdoor exercise.
Plus, they’re all under $20. I’m a big fan of the WearSPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, as it’s become a go-to of mine for long runs outside. It never bleeds into my eyes when I sweat—my biggest pet peeve with sunscreen for working out—and it absorbs in seconds, so I don’t have to spend extra time massaging my face and body before heading out.
Thomas has developed his own sunscreen routine with a few of his favorite WearSPF products. First, he applies the WearSPF Mineral Performance Sunscreen Spray before heading outside. Then, at the seventh and 14th tees, he reapplies with the sport stick so that his hands aren’t impacted at all, and he can naturally grip his clubs.
“The sport stick is great for athletes because it is portable, pocket-friendly and perfect for an active, on-the-go lifestyle,” he says before adding one additional step. “I’m also more mindful to try to walk on the shady side of the fairway.”
Each WearSPF sunscreen has been put to the test by Thomas to ensure it can perform at the highest level of competition. “I take them for a test run on the course, taking into consideration the formula, but also the application, texture, feel, etc.,” he says. Last month, he finished tied for third in the 2026 PGA Championship and seems poised to make another run up the leaderboards this PGA Tour season.
At the time of this writing, he’s sitting 36th in the FedEx Cup rankings. While there’s no guarantee Thomas will finish top of the money list or win Player of the Year again, one thing is for certain: He’ll be protected throughout the process. “On tournament days and every day, WearSPF is with me at all times—at home, in my car, my golf bag, my pocket,” Thomas says.
For the golfer, wearing sunscreen goes beyond health; he believes it also gives him an edge. “A sunburn has severe negative impacts on your body, including recovery, dehydration, inflammation, and fatigue,” he says. “So if you want to play at peak performance, sunscreen is a form of protection the same way your helmet or shin guards are.”
As for aspiring golfers, Thomas has one major piece of advice: “Wearing sunscreen should be part of your warm-up routine, and if not, you’re not ready to play.”
WearSPF Face Stick SPF 50
WearSPF Performance Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
WearSPF Essential Sunscreen SPF 50
WearSPF Mineral Sport Stick SPF 30
WearSPF Mineral Performance Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
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Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
