Battling the harsh sun is part of daily life for U.S. troops in such countries as Iraq and Afghanistan, especially during the summer, when temperatures can soar to 120 degrees. Vulnerable spots like the face, nose, ears and neck are often exposed to intense sunlight for hours on end. And surprisingly, sunscreen is not a standard issue item to the troops.

Hearing this, The Skin Cancer Foundation called Johnson & Johnson, which donated one million tubes of sunscreen to American troops overseas. The PURPOSE® Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 is being sent to soldiers primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan, thanks to the efforts of Give2theTroops, Inc., a volunteer group that ships donations to U.S. soldiers all over the world.

“The 3-ounce tubes are the perfect pocket size,” said Barbara Whitehead, North Carolina Branch Director of Give2theTroops. “It’s important for our soldiers to have this protection. They are close to the equator, and the danger of sun overexposure is so great.”

Sunscreen is one of the most requested items this time of year, Barbara noted. “The troops need good-quality sunscreen, especially for their faces. Young adults have acne and breakouts, so they typically don’t want a heavier sunscreen.”

Remember that sunscreen is just one part of a complete sun protection program, which also includes seeking the shade whenever possible, covering up with clothing, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.