Sunscreen in Winter: Importance & Benefits

Importance of sunscreen in winter

• Year-long presence of UV

All types of ultraviolet (UV) rays are present through all seasons, be it UVA, UVB, or long-range UV. Even during the cold seasons, your skin is vulnerable to just as much UV damage. This is why it becomes vital to use broad-spectrum sun protection in winter. Potent sunscreen serums protect you from UVA rays that can go deep within your skin to cause signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and saggy skin. Using a high-SPF sunscreen in winter also keeps you protected from UVB rays that can leave you with sunburns. Treating these skin concerns can prove to be much tougher than preventing them in the first place. This is why applying sunscreen in winter is just as important.

• Reflected UV

Winter breaks take us to snowy slopes and sandy beaches. However, the white snow or clear waters tend to reflect the UV rays, leaving you at the risk of twice as much exposure. This is why applying sunscreen in winter is important for your skin’s health. Hilly areas, peaks, and mountain slopes also take you to a much higher altitude where the air is thinner. This rise in altitude also leaves you at a greater risk of UV exposure and damage. Whether you’re travelling this holiday season or staying put in the comfort of your home, it’s best to understand the importance of sunscreen in winter beforehand and add it to your regular skin regimen. Use a mist sunscreen to re-apply your shield every few hours.

• Preventing Dryness

The UV rays do more than surface-level damage to your skin. These rays go deep within your skin and damage skin fibres called elastin. This damages the elasticity of your skin and can even have an impact on its ability to retain moisture. The winter air already leaves your skin dry and flaky and applying sunscreen in winter can help you prevent further damage caused by the sun’s rays. Start out with a nourishing daytime moisturiser, be it a UV cream or a SPF cream. Follow it with a lightweight sunscreen serum that leaves no white cast.

• Even skin tone

Winters can leave you with dull and ashy-looking skin. Further riddled by sun damage, your skin may face uneven pigmentation too. This is why applying sunscreen in winter is vital. Sun protection keeps your skin safe from dark spots, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation to deliver smooth and even-tone skin. Using sunscreen in winter also helps you prevent concerns like premature ageing, giving you smooth, glowing skin even in the cold. You can add SPF-infused BB cream to the mix to boast an even, radiant skin.

• Protects Sensitive Skin

The ozone layer is at its thinnest during the cold seasons, making sensitive areas of your skin more prone to damage. Using sunscreen in winter for these areas can help you prevent rashes, inflammation, and even windburn. Try to use powerful sun protection in areas like your face, ears, lips, and around the back of your neck. Try using a broad-spectrum sunscreen serum or mist to ensure proper protection without leaving a white cast.

Tips for using sunscreen in winter

1. Go broad spectrum

Make sure you select a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has SPF 50+ and PA++++ protection. Having both for your sun protection in winter keeps your skin protected from both UVA and UVB rays.

2. Choose non-comedogenic sunscreens

Try to opt for airy, non-comedogenic sunscreens in winter. These sunscreen formulas keep your pores from clogging and prevent skin concerns such as acne.

3. Lightweight formulations

Your skin tends to absorb less product in the winter. This is why it’s best to use lightweight, serum-like formulas while applying sunscreen in winter. These products get absorbed immediately and leave your face with no white cast.

4. Reapply

The scarves, hoodies, and muffs come out with the chilly winter air. Friction between your skin and these protective clothes can wipe away your sunscreen in winter, leaving you vulnerable to UV again. This is why carrying a spray-on mist sunscreen can come in handy on such days.

5. Antioxidant infused sunscreen

Try to look for sunscreens that are infused with antioxidants like vitamin C to keep your glow going even through winter.

With the benefits and importance of sunscreen in winter chalked out, it’s your turn to invest in the right kind of sun protection this winter. Check out the vast range of Garnier skincare products and skincare tips to give your skin the right sun shielding and nourishment this winter.