Lots of people know that sunscreen is a required part of any summer day spent outdoors, even when it’s cloudy out. But should you wear sunscreen in winter? Or can you get a sunburn in the winter? Let’s discuss.
The short answer is yes, you should wear sunscreen throughout winter. In fact, you should wear sunscreen pretty much any time you go outside. This is because a low temperature or clouds in the sky do not guarantee the absence of harmful UV rays coming down from above. We’re going to cover everything you need to know about UV rays, sunscreen, and your skin’s relationship with the sun.
What Causes Sunburn?
You probably already know that sunburns are caused by ultraviolet, or UV, rays, but did you know that there are actually two different types of UV rays? UVA rays are less intense but penetrate further into the skin, while UVB rays only affect the skin’s outermost layer. This doesn’t make UVB rays any less harmful though.
UVA rays
95% of the UV rays that reach the earth are UVA rays. Also called long wave rays, UVA ray exposure is what makes skin tan, but it can also create wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancers. Very few UVA rays are blocked by clouds, which is why your skin’s health is at least a little bit at risk any time you’re outside (granted it’s daytime).
UVB rays
UVB rays, or short wave rays, are the UV rays that cause sunburns. They’re at their most intense between early spring and early fall, and they can’t penetrate clouds in the same way that UVA rays can. However, other factors like the reflectiveness that both snow and the lining of clouds possess make neither cloudy day nor winter afternoon safe from potential sunburn. High elevations can also make UV exposure more intense, as there’s less atmosphere that the rays have to pass through, so be extra careful on the ski slopes!
All About Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most commonly used anti-UV solution, but there’s a lot that many people don’t know about the skincare essential, so we gathered all of the most important information and broke everything down by category.
How Does It Work?
There are two main types of sunscreen: chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen turns UV rays into heat and then releases said heat, while physical sunscreen creates a barrier that prevents UV rays from hitting the skin. Chemical sunscreen tends to be thinner and more lightweight, and it absorbs into skin, while physical sunscreen is thicker and sits on top of the skin.
What’s In It?
Physical sunscreen is sometimes also called mineral sunscreen because the key ingredient is often zinc or titanium dioxide, while chemical sunscreen is made up of various chemicals, some of which can be unhealthy. For example, two such chemicals, oxybenzone and homosalate, may interfere with hormones like estrogen. Another chemical found in many chemical sunscreens, octinoxate, isn’t recommended for use by pregnant women as it can cause harm to the unborn baby. Both physical and chemical sunscreen can also lose their effectiveness over time, so don’t forget to always check expiration dates!
Environmental Impact
Some of those previously mentioned chemicals, specifically oxybenzone and octinoxate, have also been found to negatively impact the oceans. Coral reefs are affected with particular severity as oxybenzone and octinoxate play a role in “coral bleaching.” Sunscreens that contain these chemicals were actually banned in Hawaii in 2018 in an attempt to preserve their natural ocean ecosystems.
Best Practices
When a sunscreen is broad-spectrum, it protects against both UVA and UVB rays, so it’s recommended that you always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. SPF stands for sun protection factor, but contrary to popular belief a high SPF number isn’t always necessary. For example, a 30 SPF option would be a good sunscreen for winter, while a 50 SPF option would be recommended for summer’s harsher UVB rays. Be sure to reapply every one to two hours though, unless you’re swimming or sweating a lot, in which case more frequent reapplication may be needed. So, can you get a sunburn in the winter? Should you wear sunscreen in winter? The answer to both is yes. Believe us, your skin will thank you!