Coppertone teams up with soccer stars to inspire daily sun protection

Soccer star Christen Press

WHIPPANY, N.J.  — Bayer Healthcare, the maker of Coppertone, has kicked off a multi-year deal with U.S. Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League to encourage the use of sun protection on and off the field.



Christen Press, star forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team, will be joined by fellow soccer stars Graham Zusi, Kelley O’Hara and Matt Besler as brand ambassadors for Coppertone.



Coppertone brand wants to remind families that using sunscreen is a critical step to protecting their skin. Athletes especially receive more UV exposure than the general public, spending long hours practicing outdoors often during peak sun hours. As soccer is one of the most-played sports by children ages 4 to 19 in the United States and studies have shown that outdoor sports increase the risk of sun damage during childhood, supporting the use of sunscreen for soccer players and their fan base will help encourage sun smart habits that can last a lifetime, the company stated.



“Sunscreen needs to be a part of everyone’s daily routine, especially athletes who are continually outside,” stated Elizabeth Hale, clinical associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center and consultant to Bayer HealthCare. “It’s an important tool for helping to prevent sunburn, and when used as directed on the labeling with other sun protection measures, it can help reduce the risk of premature skin aging and even skin cancer. People should apply it every morning as a part of their daily routine.”