Yes, sunscreen is important in winter too. Read on to understand why.
Firstly, many people think UVA/UVB rays aren’t a factor in winter. Wrong! Secondly, winter strips your skin of moisture and sunscreen helps to restore some moisture to your skin.
Another
factor is that the ozone layer is thinnest in winter. This means that even
though the sun doesn’t feel as hot, you are actually exposed to greater
intensity UV rays.
The sun damages your
skin
So, whether winter or summer, the sun’s rays definitely accelerate skin ageing, decreasing collagen and elastin production. But applying sunscreen religiously come rain or shine helps to keep skin looking more youthful.
And
just because it’s cold doesn’t mean your sunscreen will last longer. Icy winds
and low temperatures combine to weaken a sunscreen’s efficacy. That means you
still have to reapply the sunblock every couple of hours to protect your skin.
Beware UVA rays
UVB rays (which are weaker in winter) are linked to skin damage such as sunburn, sun spots and various skin cancers. But UVA rays actually are even worse. Plus the strength of UVA rays is consistent throughout the year. Therefore, because they penetrate deeper, they cause more damage. Worse though, UVA may cause for melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Limit light from electronics
With
winter meaning more time indoors, don’t overdo the use of computers, TVs and
cell phone screens. These light sources, as well as some types of indoor
lighting could add to skin damage. That’s why daily sunscreen application is
all-important.
The
take-out is that sunscreen is important in winter too. This is key to skin
health and looking younger for longer. And remember, ‘broad-spectrum’ is the
operative word. So read the labels before buying sunscreen. According to dermatologists,
SPF50+ is the one to go for.
