Why Do You Need Sunscreen In The Winter?

Sunscreen has long been marketed as a summer product for decades, but the truth is that SPF should be worn year-round regardless of where you live. We’re here to try to convince you to wear SPF in the winter months. Here’s everything you need to know and some common questions redheads may ask:

Why do I need to worry about applying SPF in the winter?

Answer: Ultraviolet (UV) rays cause cancer and aging. They don’t just come out on sunny, hot summer days. Sunny winter days are one of the worst times to get skin damage. The sun’s UV rays are harmful during the winter because the ozone layer is at its thinnest. Plus, snow and ice can reflect up to 90% of these rays and actually increase their intensity, making it especially important to keep your skin protected.

You’ve probably heard about how you can get a sunburn on an overcast day at the beach, well the same goes for cloudy or dark winter days. The UV rays move right through those clouds, so if you can’t feel the heat from the sun’s rays, they are still reaching you and damaging your skin. If you’re out skiing, sledding, or just enjoying the winter weather, you are at risk for UV damage.

The sun is out and I’m bundled up, so I must be fine right?

Answer: Yes and no. It’s true that during the winter we keep most of our bodies covered with clothing to keep us warm but not our entire bodies. The most at-risk areas of your body in the winter are your face, lips, eyes and hands. So you might not need SPF on your back, arms, or legs in the winter, but it is important to protect those exposed areas.

Even small amounts of sun exposure add up and can cause premature aging and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Remember these tips when applying sunscreen:

Apply sunscreen to exposed skin, even your lips, hands and face.
Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before heading outside
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and more frequently if your sweating

What sunscreen should I use in the winter?

Answer: Everyone should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has at least SPF 30 protection, which blocks about 97% of harmful UV rays. Check out a variety of our recommended sunscreen’s for the winter months.

Did we convince you? Let us know in the comments!

Rock it like a Redhead!

READ: How to Adjust Your Redhead Skincare Routine for Winter