September in Alabama is funny.
The calendar says fall. Football is back. Pumpkin-everything has arrived. And yet… your car may still say 94 degrees.
Summer may be ending, but sun protection doesn’t.
UV exposure doesn’t disappear when school starts or football season arrives, and neither should the everyday habits that help protect your skin.
At Dermatologists of Birmingham, we’re using September as a chance to reset a few skincare habits, remember some commonly forgotten areas and make sun protection a little easier to fit into everyday life.
And because skincare should be a little fun, too, we have a few September EltaMD specials to help you reset and restock along the way.
Sunscreen Isn’t Just for Summer
Beach vacations may be winding down, but think about how much time you still spend exposed to the sun. Driving to work. Walking the dog. Sitting at a Saturday football game. Working in the yard. Eating lunch outside. Running errands.
Sun protection is an everyday habit—not just something to think about when you’re headed to the beach.
A good sunscreen routine doesn’t have to be complicated, either. One of the best places to start is simply finding sunscreen you like enough to use consistently.
Because the best sunscreen in the world isn’t doing much for you if it stays in the bathroom cabinet.
Don’t Forget Your Lips
When we think sunscreen, most of us immediately think about our face and body.
But what about our lips?
Lips are one of those easy-to-forget areas that deserve sun protection, too. And that brings us to our very scientific September experiment…
The Great Lip SPF Debate: Stick or Tube?
We have two EltaMD lip sunscreens with different formulas and formats, and we want to know which one our patients actually prefer.
EltaMD UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm SPF 40 comes in a convenient stick and contains peptides and hyaluronic acid.
EltaMD UV Lip Balm SPF 36 provides moisturizing sun protection in a tube.
During September: Buy the stick and get the tube 50% off.
Try both and tell us which one you prefer. Your feedback will also enter you for a chance to win our Ultimate EltaMD Gift Bundle. Will you prefer the stick or the tube? We really do want to know.
Make Sunscreen Easier to Remember
Here’s one of the least glamorous — but probably most practical — sun-protection tips:
Keep sunscreen where you’ll actually use it.
Having sunscreen at home is great. Having it with you when you suddenly find yourself sitting outside for two hours is even better. That inspired our second September special:
Size Up & Stock Up
EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ is a lightweight, water-resistant sunscreen that makes a great option for everyday sun protection and active days outdoors.
During September: Buy the 3 oz UV Sheer and get the 1.7 oz UV Sheer 50% off.
Our thinking? One for home. One to go.
Keep the larger size where you get ready and the smaller one somewhere you’re likely to need it.
Your purse. Your gym bag. Your golf bag. Your desk. Your weekend bag.
The easier sunscreen is to reach, the easier it is to remember.
Reset Your Morning Routine
Sun protection is only part of a good skincare routine. September is also a natural time to take another look at the basics. After months of Alabama heat, humidity, sun exposure, travel and air conditioning, your skin may be ready for a little reset. That doesn’t mean you need a complicated 14-step skincare routine.
Sometimes simple really is better: Cleanse. Moisturize. Protect.
Reset Your Routine
EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer helps support hydration and fits easily into a simple morning skincare routine.
During September: Save 20% on EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer + receive a FREE travel-size EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. While supplies last.
It’s an easy way to refresh your morning routine while adding a convenient sunscreen option for those days when you’re on the go.
Sunscreen Is Only Part of Healthy Skin
Wearing sunscreen is an important habit, but taking care of your skin doesn’t end there.
Continue to pay attention to your skin and watch for spots that are new, changing or concerning. Your dermatologist can also help determine what type of skin examinations and follow-up are appropriate for you based on your individual history and risk factors. And don’t forget some of the areas that are easy to miss when applying sun protection: lips, ears, neck, hands and exposed areas around the scalp and hairline. Little habits practiced consistently can make a difference over time.
What Does Your Skin Actually Need This Fall?
Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all. Dry skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin and sun-damaged skin can all have different needs — and those needs can change throughout the year.
At Dermatologists of Birmingham, our team can help you sort through skincare options without turning your bathroom counter into a department store. Our medical aestheticians and staff can help with skincare products and routines, and when a skin concern requires medical evaluation or treatment, our practice is home to three board-certified dermatologists. Sometimes the best skincare decision isn’t adding another product. It’s figuring out which products and habits actually earn a place in your routine.
One More Thing… Save the Date
September may be about protecting and resetting your skin, but we’re already looking ahead.
Our 2026 Virtual Open House is November 9–12, and our biggest cosmetic savings of the year are coming. We’ll share all the details soon. For now, mark your calendar, enjoy September and remember:
Summer ends. Sun protection doesn’t.