Melanoma Research Foundation and Glowbar Join Forces to Fight Skin Cancer

Rachel Liverman

In celebration of May’s Melanoma Awareness Month, the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is collaborating with Glowbar, a membership-based service that specializes in accessible, results-driven facials for patients to utilize alongside their regular dermatological care.¹ This is the company’s first philanthropic partnership since its founding in June 2019. In an exclusive interview with Dermatology Times, Rachel Liverman, the founder and CEO of Glowbar, spoke about the company’s pledge to increase overall SPF usage, raise awareness of melanoma prevention, and combine everyday self-care with patient skin health.

Dermatology Times: What is the significance of Glowbar choosing MRF for its first philanthropic partnership?

Liverman: [Patients] don’t always realize how common melanoma really is. Too many are affected by it each year and it’s a cause incredibly close to my heart. It’s also a cause that’s always been at the center of Glowbar’s mission, which is to help everyone feel confident in their skin. This confidence really starts with keeping skin healthy, and sun safety is one of the most important and easiest habits you can add to [a] skincare routine to ensure glowing and healthy skin. It was only right that Glowbar’s first philanthropic efforts focused on this issue, and I’m proud that we’re partnering with the Melanoma Research Foundation for the month of May and beyond.

Dermatology Times: What strategies areGlowbarand MRF planning to implement in hopes of increasing the number of people who wear SPF by 2026?

Liverman: Only 13.5% of Americans wear sunscreen every day, yet 20% will develop skin cancer before the age of 70.² Our goal is to get 5 million more people (15%) wearing SPF every day by the end of 2025. It’s a big number, but we think it’s doable and we’re tackling it in a few approachable ways. First, we’re meeting people where they are — literally. Glowbar now has 19 studios across the East Coast, and every facial ends with SPF, so clients always leave protected and glowing. For the entire month of May, we’re also offering free on-the-spot EltaMD sunscreen application in all Glowbar studios, no appointment needed, so anyone can pop in for a quick SPF application or refresh. We’re also sharing helpful, bite-sized sun safety tips with our clients throughout the month of May from esthetician, Ian Michael Crumm. It’s a reminder for patients to protect their skin and schedule their annual dermatology screenings. And of course, we’re using our social channels to keep the conversation going and show how easy it is to make SPF part of everyday routines. It doesn’t need to be complicated, just consistent.

Dermatology Times: What do you want dermatologists and their patients to take away most from this collaboration?

Liverman: I want everyone to understand how important it is to wear SPF 365 days a year. As skin professionals, it’s our responsibility to use our platforms to teach consumers healthy skin and sun safety habits. I want all patients to understand that just like you wash your face every day or reapply lip gloss throughout the day, so too should you be developing healthy sun safety habits by wearing and reapplying SPF every day, no matter the weather or your activities for the day.

Dermatology Times: How can Glowbar treatments be added to patients’ existing regimens? What kinds of patients should dermatologists recommend these services to?

Liverman: Glowbar was designed to be easily incorporated into any skincare routine. A Glowbar facial is only 30 minutes long and no treatments ever cost extra, making it accessible from both a time and budget perspective. Incorporating a monthly Glowbar facial into a routine allows patients to ensure they’re consistently seeing an expert to address any skin concerns, which is a great complement to yearly dermatologist visits. The other benefit of Glowbar is that every facial is customized to a patient’s skin concerns. Expert estheticians work [with patients] to tailor facials specifically to their needs. This ensures that anyone is a great fit for Glowbar. We see the monthly facial as one part of a healthy and glowing skincare routine, which should also include monthly self-skin checks and yearly dermatologist visits. Together, we can help everyone adopt healthy skin habits.

References

1. Glowbar Launches First Philanthropic Partnership with Melanoma Research Foundation as Part of 2025 #GetNaked Campaign. PR Newswire. May 2, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/glowbar-launches-first-philanthropic-partnership-with-melanoma-research-foundation-as-part-of-2025-getnaked-campaign-302444767.html?tc=eml_cleartime

2. Patlola M, Shah AA, Stead T, Mangal R, Ganti L. Sunscreen use amongst US adults: a national survey. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023;315(7):2137-2138. doi:10.1007/s00403-023-02603-8