Why Sunscreen is Essential in Winter

I know it’s easy to remember your sunscreen with reminders like bright sunshine and heat in the summer….

And although the sun might not feel as strong in the winter, it’s a mistake to skip sunscreen during this time.

Indeed, covering up with sunscreen is key to protecting your skin during sunny days but many

people don’t bother when the weather is cold or gloomy.

This might seem logical at first glance… After all, why would you need sunscreen when the sun isn’t shining?

You’ll be surprised at the effects UV rays can have on your skin even in the winter months…

Why wear sunscreen at all?

Let’s start with the basics, so that you can understand how UV rays affect your skin.

UVB radiation is the shorter, more energetic radiation and about 5-10% of total UV radiation.

The inflammation of the skin (sun burn) is mainly caused by UVB radiation.

Now what about UVA rays?

UVA rays have longer wavelengths and form about 90-95% of total UV radiation.

UVA radiation is a longer wavelengths radiation and penetrates our

skin deeper which causes the breakdown of collagen (responsible for our skin looking youthful) in our dermis.

It’s estimated that premature visible ageing by UV radiation is as much as 90%.

This leads to premature ageing characterised by hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and loss of elasticity...

Today, I will give you 4 reasons why you should put on sunscreen in winter:

1. UV rays penetrate winter clouds

UVA is always present and can penetrate through clouds, glass and deeper into the skin.

UVA rays damage deeper layers of the skin compared to UVB rays, leading to premature ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.

The harmful rays can also affect your skin in winter.

When there’s snow, it can reflect sunlight and make you more susceptible to sunburn.

What about gloomy weather?

As you might have guessed by now, no, it’s still smart to wear sunscreen even when it’s gloomy outside.

Better safe than sorry is the better choice when it comes to sunscreen.

And while UVB rays might not make it, UVA rays will power through.

2. Sunscreen has useful anti-ageing properties

One of sunscreen's benefits are its proven anti-ageing properties.

UV rays damage collagen and elastin in your skin, resulting in acceleration of fine lines and wrinkles.

For a reference, in Australia a study in which 900 men and women

took part in over the course of four-years, found that those who wore sunscreen daily had no detectable increase in skin ageing.

The average age of participants was 39, which shows it is really never too late to start wearing sunscreen.

But what kind of sunscreen should I go for?

Mineral sunscreens are an amazing choice as they protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.

And that’s not all!

Mineral-based sunscreens such as the 50 SPF Antarctic Sun Defence provide additional moisturising benefits…

Antarctic Sun Defence also contains a peptide found in Antarctica that

rejuvenates the skin from within, offering an extra helping hand in fighting the signs of ageing caused by negative external factors.

3. The ozone layer is the thinnest in winter

The ozone layer (Earth’s sunshield) absorbs harmful UV rays.

However, the ozone layer is actually at its thinnest in the winter.

And since our skin is dryer in the wintertime, those rays can damage our skin more easily, leading to wrinkles and sun spots.

The low temperature and wind leave your skin dry and allow for UV rays to have a better shot at your skin.

While there are less direct UV rays in the winter, there is significant reflection of these rays which can still easily cause sunburn.

Also, the colder it gets outside, the less moisture your skin has to protect it from UV rays.

4. Skin cancer risk is still high in winter

Unfortunately, just like smoking cigarettes can cause lung cancer at any time, the sun causes skin cancer at any time...

This is why it will always be beneficial to protect your skin wearing sunscreen.