Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Beauty

BlissMark may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why you need to use sunscreen in the winter, too

Erika Hardison
By

While summer still feels like it’s ages away, you still need to think about protecting your skin from the sun. Even though the days are shorter, you shouldn’t be slacking on the SPF.

According to the Skin Cancer Society,  “snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s UV light” making it even more dangerous than the sunlight you are exposed to in the summer. So if you plan on participating in any winter sports, you need to be even more careful.

Recommended Videos

“Even when it’s cold or overcast, UV rays that cause skin aging and skin cancer are reaching your skin,” says Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “In the right winter weather conditions, you can sustain sun damage just as easily as during the summer.”

A set of hands sipping into a jar of skin cream
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You read that correctly. The sun is not to be trusted especially when it comes to your skin no matter the season. Consider creating a winter skincare routine that will protect, correct and promote healthy skin renewal throughout the winter. It’s the best time to try new products and wear more anti-aging products and creams that will give you clean and healthy skin.

Related

What SPF should you wear in winter?

We all have different concerns when it comes to our skin. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming. So we’ve put together a comprehensive list of products you should look for by skin type.

For normal skin

If you have normal skin, you want to prevent the sun from drying you out. You can try the Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50 from Paula’s Choice. It works well as a moisturizer that you can wear every day while you run errands. If you prefer to keep your moisturizer separate from your SPF then the Age-Defying Daily Face Lotion + Manuka & Ginger Root by BOTA will give your skin a vibrant glow. If you want a light and sheer product try Black Girl Sunscreen. It is sheer with an SPF of 30. In the cooler months, it’s easy to neglect your hands, so make sure to keep a bottle of Gloves In A Bottle near as your hands can suffer from sun damage as well.

For sensitive skin

young woman wearing bath towel with smooth skin
Ron Lach/Pexels

Having sensitive skin means you need products that work without causing breakouts or irritation. The Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 is made for babies but can be used by adults. It offers max protection while not clogging your pores or irritating your skin. After you add your SPF, you have to moisturize. This Rose Geranium Face Moisturizer is ideal for sensitive skin that also needs a delicate recharge for the day.

For oily skin

The Solara SPF 30 Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen is one of the best for people with oily and acne-prone skin. It even leaves the face with a more matte finish without clogging up your pores. This Black Charcoal Peel Off Mask makes for a good cleanser even in the cooler months.

A woman in fall fashion and makeup.

For dry skin

For people with dry skin, the wintertime is the perfect opportunity to work on your skin concerns because you might be able to tolerate heavier products during the day. The C’est Moi Gentle Mineral SPF Sunscreen is not only lightweight but works well for darker skin tones as well. You can wear this Radiance Precious Oil before you apply your SPF to enhance a natural, dewy glow.

People tend to let their guard down in the cooler months because the sun isn’t out as long as it is in the summer. But, even in the winter, the sun’s rays can wreak havoc on your skin. You can prevent further sun damage by creating a winter skincare routine that includes SPF. Since SPF comes in a number of products you can streamline your routine by opting for BB creams, tinted moisturizers, or foundation balms. Those products can give your skin the coverage you desire while also protecting your face.

Whether you wear full coverage makeup during the winter or want your cheeks to naturally blush as the temperature drops, you always need to be aware of how harmful the sun can be to your skin. You want to protect your skin every day throughout the year and not just in the summer months.

BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Erika Hardison
Erika Hardison
This DIY lip mask is exactly what you need for chapped lips
make your own lip mask for chapped lips

Unless you're immune to the colder and drier air, your lips are probably crying for a little TLC right now. Chapped lips are never in style and they're severely uncomfortable, but the right products can help you keep them moist and supple no matter the weather.

Lips are technically skin, and while you're focusing on applying product to your t-zone, your lips are feeling a little left out. Lips crave moisture in the colder months, and products like lip masks can be the ideal way to provide your lips with proper hydration to avoid unwanted cracking or peeling.

Read more
What you need to know about ultraviolet light therapy for acne
A light therapy treatment mask.

There seems to be no end to the products on the market to treat whatever ails your skin — benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, salicylic acid, the list goes on. One of the newest acne treatments showing promise in the quest for clearer skin is ultraviolet light therapy.

Light therapy is said to help with acne, age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. For now, we want to focus on how ultraviolet light therapy can help with your acne. What exactly is ultraviolet light therapy? Let’s dive in and find out.

Read more
Better skin while you sleep: The best overnight skin care treatments for winter
a beauty shot of a woman who is touching her chin

It turns out, beauty sleep isn’t just a cliche. While we sleep, our body replaces dead cells and restores new ones, keeping our skin radiant, hydrated, and clear.
In the winter, it’s arguably even more important to log hours of quality sleep and give our skin some extra TLC. The chillier air outside and drier air inside due to heat can wreak havoc on our skin. In the winter, you may notice an increase in dry, flaky skin or even lip eczema. In addition to pulling out hats, scarves, and gloves, you will want to have some go-to skincare products and routines you take out of hibernation during the cooler months.
You can maximize your beauty sleep by finding products that get to work while you’re catching some Zzzs. These overnight treatments for skin will keep your skin soft and smooth, even when the temperatures are harsh.

What are overnight treatments?
As the name implies, overnight treatments help soothe, repair, and rejuvenate your body as you sleep. For example, some people put on a deep conditioner and wrap their hair, so their mane looks silky and healthy in the morning.
Overnight treatments for skin can do the same. Experts share that these treatments are usually different than standard night creams or serums. Ingredients may be more concentrated than typical night creams. Formulators often design the products to work with the body’s circadian rhythm, delivering key components to the skin at the optimal time.
Overnight treatments can help with a variety of conditions, including dryness and acne. When shopping, you’ll want to know your goals, so you can choose a product that best meets your needs.

Read more