Sunscreen In Winter

Should you wear it? Absolutely. It’s as easy to get sunburned and accumulate sun damage in the winter as in summer. Even if it the temperatures are in the minus range, you can still get a sunburn as the snow reflects the sun’s rays.

We think snow and ice should come with UV warnings as they can reflect up to 80 percent of UV rays. These rays cause skin cancer but are also the culprit behind about 90 percent of all your wrinkles.

For all you outdoor winter sports enthusiasts, it’s essential to remember windburn and sunburn give a double whammy, leaving your skin dry and agitated. The more elevated the slopes, the higher your sun exposure

What if it’s a cloudy day?

UV rays can work their way through just about anything—with the exception of freshly applied sunblock. About 80 percent of the sun’s rays can pass through clouds.

What SPF should I wear?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; SPF 50, 98 percent; and SPF 100, 99 percent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The higher the SPF, the smaller the difference becomes. Whatever your sunscreen’s SPF number, it’s effective for the same amount of time. You should reapply every two hours.

Wear sunscreen under your clothes

Most of your clothing provides very little sun protection. A standard white T-shirt packs an SPF value of about 7—and if it’s wet, the SPF can go down as low as 3, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. While the darker and thicker the clothing, the more protection it provides, the hotter it is, too.

Your best bet: Also apply sunscreen where the sun don’t shine.