Tinted Windows: Lower Skin Cancer Risk and Stay Cool

Protecting Your Skin from UV Rays: Beyond the Basics

When it comes to protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, most people are aware of the basics. Applying SPF whenever you step outside during the day is a must, even on cloudy days. Reapplying sunscreen regularly is also important. Wearing protective clothing and hats—especially larger ones—can offer additional protection when spending time outdoors. Don’t forget to cover those often-overlooked areas like your neck, hands, and the backs of your knees.

Taking these steps not only helps reduce visible signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, but it also plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Additionally, having five or more sunburns throughout your life can double your risk for melanoma. Early detection of melanoma offers a high survival rate—up to 99% within five years—but prevention is always better than cure.

The Hidden Risk: Sun Exposure in Your Car

One area where most people don't consider sun exposure is their car. While you may not get a major sunburn while sitting inside, UVA rays can still penetrate through untinted windows, causing long-term skin damage and increasing your risk of skin cancer. Tinted windows are an effective solution, but many people avoid them due to aesthetic concerns or the idea that they make the car feel darker.

That’s where Liz Moody, a longtime journalist and #1 female health podcaster, found her answer with XPEL.

What Is XPEL?

XPEL is a company that specializes in premium protective films and coatings. Moody has installed their PRIME Window Tint Series in her car, which blocks harmful UV rays, reduces cabin heat, and minimizes glare. “XPEL is an incredibly innovative product,” she says. “'Set it and forget it' wellness tips are my absolute favorite because we are all burned out, we're all tired, and we all have so many things on our to-do lists every single day. When you can find something that only requires one simple action that makes a significant difference and then that action pays off forever—that’s what we’re all looking for these days.”

How XPEL Works

The process of getting XPEL installed in your car is straightforward. You drop your car off at an authorized XPEL Installer, and the tints will be installed by the next day. “I got it done in one day,” Moody explains. “You can choose between different tint levels, and I did the completely clear tint, so you can't see any difference.” She adds that the clear tint doesn’t impact how the car looks or how well she can see through the windows.

Moody was initially worried that the tint would make her car feel darker, especially since she films in her car a lot. “They don’t. Not at all.”

An Unexpected Benefit: Keeping Your Car Cooler

One benefit Moody didn’t expect was how much cooler her car became after installing XPEL’s window tints. “I knew XPEL helped prevent skin cancer; I did not know how much it blocked heat,” she says. “It makes your car more climate-efficient, essentially. So when it's sitting there, your car's baking in the sun. When I get in my car now, it's much less hot, so I don’t have to use as much air conditioning to cool it down. It’s protective for the inside of your car as well.”

Moody had her tints installed three months ago, and now she can’t imagine going back. “I was joking with my husband that we can't get another car now, or I guess if we do, we'll just have to install XPEL tints again,” she says. “I feel so much peace of mind now. We have our sunroof open a lot now because it is summer and we're trying to enjoy the season. And knowing that my scalp is protected from skin cancer, knowing that my hands are protected, knowing that I don't need to be very careful about reapplying sunscreen all day when I'm doing a long car trip—it makes me feel so much better.”

A Step Toward Better Skin Health

Moody emphasizes that while we can’t go back and change the past—many of us spent our teens and twenties without proper sun protection—it’s never too late to take action. “Melanoma diagnoses have increased by 46% over the last decade, and non-melanoma skin cancer cases have surged by over 263%,” she says. “And so I do think that skin cancer is something we all should be thinking about.”

She shares her own experience, noting that her mother had skin cancer and she has had numerous moles removed from her body. Growing up in Arizona, she spent a lot of time in the sun. However, taking simple, effective steps like using XPEL window tints can make a huge difference in protecting your skin.

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