We all know that we need sun protection during the hot summer months. UV exposure causes age spots, wrinkles, and premature aging. It makes sense that you need protection from UV light when the sun is shining bright during the hot summer months, but what about during the colder months? Should you wear sunscreen in winter?
I do participate in affiliate programs, including Amazon Affiliates, and may earn a small commission if things are purchased through links on the site
Should You Wear Sunscreen In Winter
It’s a resounding yes. You should always wear sunscreen during the winter months. The sun’s harmful rays can still shine through wintery clouds and cause plenty of damage. You can suffer from irritation and sunburn made worse by dry winter skin.
Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen In Winter
There are quite a few reasons you should still include broad-spectrum sunscreen in your skincare routine during winter. Companies like Wander Beauty have plenty of multi-tasking products, like its primer with an SPF. These are just a few of the reasons you should pick one up.
UV Rays Make It Through Winter Clouds
The sun doesn’t appear to shine as brightly during the winter, but the sun’s rays still make it through the ozone layer. Check out this study for more in depth info. That means you’ll still need sunscreen to keep your skin healthy.
You Can Still Get Skin Cancer In Winter
Diseases like skin cancer don’t take a break just because the temperature drops. The development of skin cancers happens year round, so you must protect yourself from sun exposure every month.
Harsh Weather Conditions Remove Sunscreen Faster
It’s a given that summer conditions will wear away at sunscreen. You sweat, swim, and more. However, most people don’t realize that winter conditions can do the same thing.
Harsh winds, moisture from snow during snowball fights, and more slowly wear away at sunscreen. That means you’ll need to reapply it throughout the day, just like during summer.
The Ozone Layer Is Thinner
The ozone layer helps protect us from the rays of the sun. During winter months, the ozone layer is noticeably thinner. That increases your risk of sun damage, including skin cancer and age spots.
Avoid Sunburns
You can still get sunburn if you’re spending the day in the sun. Snow and ice reflect light, and UV rays, meaning that you’re more likely to get a sunburn than in other months.
Prevent Premature Aging
The sun’s harsh rays are one of the leading causes of premature aging. Cells break down faster, meaning that they produce less collagen. This results in wrinkles and fine lines appearing sooner. You’ll also notice other signs of aging, like age spots and sagging skin, sooner than you usually would. A little sunscreen can help stage off the signs of aging for years.
UV rays also break down collagen and elastin in the skin. That means you could produce plenty of collagen but still get wrinkles from sun exposure.
Help Prevent Or Reduce Dry Winter Skin
Sunscreen does more than just protect you from harmful rays. It creates a protective barrier on the skin, helping to prevent dry, chapped skin from the dry winter air. Most sunscreen is moisturizing, too.
Use Makeup With An SPF
If you wear makeup, you can’t precisely slather your skin with sunscreen lotion every few hours. However, you can give yourself additional protection by picking up makeup products that have an SPF, like foundation and concealer. Wander Beauty has an award winning primer with SPF in it too!
Makeup With SPF
Bare With Me Cannabis Primer With SPF 30 by NYX ($17)
Skincare meets makeup with this innovative primer. The Cannabis extract is soothing while providing a hydration dose lasting up to 24 hours. Wear it alone or underneath makeup for a flawless appearance.
Check out all the details here!
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation ($8)
Instantly blur the appearance of pores and minimize imperfections with this full coverage foundation from Maybelline! Because it’s available in 40 shades, you won’t have to worry about finding the perfect shade for your skin tone. It’s so affordable you can’t help but wonder if it lives up to the amazing claims made about it! It also has an SPF of 18.
Check out this five star foundation here!
IT Cosmetics CC Cream With SPF 50+ ($17-44)
The broad spectrum SPF helps protect your skin from damage from various rays of the sun, and blue light. The full coverage lets you use it as a foundation. Color correcting technology helps minimize the appearance of imperfections, such as redness.
Check out all the details here!
Skincare With SPF
Skincare products with SPF as an active ingredient are another great idea. Moisturizers like Murad C-Day Moisturizer have plenty of good-for-your-skin ingredients and SPF. The more products you use with an SPF, the more your skin will be protected. Remember, you can’t wear too much SPF!
Skincare With SPF
Dr. Brandt Liquid Sun Shield ($65)
This skincare with SPF is designed to give you maximum protection against the sun. The powerful SPF 50 helps block damage from the sun’s harmful rays, is vegan, and is suitable for all skin types.
Check out all the details here!
Pack Up & Glow Primining Mineral SPF 40 by Wander Beauty ($36)
This sunscreen is designed to be the last step in your skincare routine. The powerful SPF protects against the sun’s harmful rays while the unique formula creates a barrier for your skin, protecting against evironmental damage such as free radicals.
Murad Environmental Shield C-Day Moisturizer ($32)
Murad is a well-known brand that has highly effective products. This moisturizer is packed with good for your skin ingredients, like Vitamin C. It has a heavenly citrus scent, isn’t greasy, and protects your skin from the sun.
Check out all the details here!
In Conclusion
Certain types of UV rays can also reach your skin through glass, so you’re not exactly protected by sitting inside. Make sure to pick up some sunscreen this winter to keep your skin protected and help prevent skin cancer, age spots, and more.
Related Articles
Murad Essential C Day Moisturizer Review
Winter Makeup Tips For Dry Skin