Why You Should Always Wear Sunscreen in Winter

If you’ve put your SPF away for the year just because it’s cloudy and cold outside, we’ll tell you why you should always wear sunscreen to stay protected year round.

UV rays can pass through clouds.

Even when it’s cold and snowy, roughly 80% of UV rays are still passing through the clouds on the way to your exposed skin. That’s not all—UVA rays, the radiation responsible for premature signs of aging, can pass through window glass, too, so even if you’re spending your time indoors, you’re still getting sun exposure you don’t want. That’s why we recommend an everyday sunscreen like Obagi Sun Shield Tint SPF 50. It provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and protects against infrared rays, with 2 universal tints for cool and warm undertones.

Snow can actually double your sun exposure.

You might think you should be more concerned about UV exposure in the summer, but it’s actually possible to get more sun damage in the winter. Why? You’re not only getting exposure from sunlight that hits you directly, but from all the light that’s reflected off the snow. An easy way to keep your skin healthy in winter is by adding sun protection in the products you already use. One of our favorites is glo minerals Tinted Primer SPF 30, which preps your skin for flawless makeup application while shielding your complexion with 4.5% titanium dioxide and 4% zinc oxide.

Winter weather means compromised skin.

UV exposure isn’t good when your skin is at its healthiest, but it’s even worse when skin is dry and chapped because of cold winter winds. Couple this with the fact that some of the thinnest skin on your body (your lips) can’t produce melanin, and that’s a recipe for premature aging. Luckily, though, your lips are covered with Supergoop! Shine On Lip Screen SPF 50, which delivers potent hydration and antioxidants from resveratrol while protecting your lips from whatever winter can throw at you.

UV damage comes from more than just the sun.

If you spend a lot of time at the office and don’t see a lot of sun in the winter, you should know that sunlight isn’t the only source of UV damage to worry about. You should always wear sunscreen because fluorescent ceiling lights, as well as the screens on your computer and phone, have been shown to give off low levels of UV radiation, and these sources can cause premature aging over time if you're not protected. We love EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 because it’s lightweight, won’t clog your pores, and contains skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

For even better sun protection, pair your EltaMD UV Clear with HELIOCARE Sun Protection Pills, a once-a-day antioxidant supplement that protects your skin from free radical damage and boosts the effectiveness of your daily SPF.

Even when the weather gets cold, you should always wear sunscreen! Let us know how you’re protecting your skin in the comments below.