Rhode Island Offers Free Sunscreen

Launched last May and seeing more than 75,000 uses throughout the summer 2019 season, Rhode Island’s statewide initiative of offering complimentary, environmentally-safe sunscreen dispenser stations provided by Raw Elements USA at all State Beaches and Parks is being brought back. The stations will be available starting on Sunday, July 12.

And in light of COVID-19, the dispensers have been updated to be touch-free. 

These efforts are brought to Rhode Island state by Governor Gina Raimondo and US Senator Jack Reed, Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, Rhode Island-based South County Dermatology and Raw Elements USA, a certified natural sunscreen company founded by a lifelong Rhode Island lifeguard. 

“As we continue to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 public health crisis, we also must remember to use sunscreen to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “I'm proud that we'll be offering no-cost sunscreen stations at our parks and beaches again this year. We thank Raw Elements for using new, touch-free dispensers to safely help thousands of visitors take the first step toward preventing skin cancer.” 

“We have worked incredibly hard to find the best automatic, touch-free dispensers out there in order to ensure we were able to keep protecting Rhode Island for 2020,” says Brian Guadagno, founder of Raw Elements Natural Sunscreen. “As a longtime Narraganset ocean lifeguard, this initiative is close to home. It feels great to help everyone in the state protect themselves and our oceans.” 

Rhode Island is a national leader in driving sunscreen standards. US  Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who authored the Sunscreen Innovation Act to help ensure that U.S. consumers have access to safe and effective sunscreen,  “When you head to the beach this summer, we want everyone to have a mask for when they’re in a crowd, and sunscreen to protect from harmful UV rays. I commend the state and all its partners for teaming up to make sunscreen more accessible to all. Sunscreen is proven to help prevent skin cancer and these dispensers help raise awareness, encourage healthy habits, and offer beachgoers free sunscreen to protect themselves.” 

The initiative is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, through a federal Comprehensive Cancer Control cooperative agreement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (NU58DP006291-03-00), as well as by investment from South County Dermatology and Raw Elements.