Should you wear sunscreen in the winter? While sunscreen is often associated with sunny, summer days, the truth is that you should be wearing it all year round, including during the winter. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can still cause damage, even though you may not feel or even see them. Read on to learn why sunscreen should be part of your everyday skincare routine.
1. Clouds Don’t Block UV Rays
The sun’s UVA and UVB rays can penetrate clouds and fog, so don’t assume you’re in the clear when the weather is dreary. It only takes one unexpected sunburn to realize that wearing sunscreen in the winter is crucial to maintaining healthy skin.
It’s true that sunburns are less common during the winter because the sun’s burn-causing UVB rays are weaker. Additionally, people tend to spend less time outdoors, and their skin is usually covered. However, just because sun damage happens less frequently doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
2. Snow Amplifies UV Rays
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, snow actually reflects up to 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet light. That means those rays are actually hitting your skin twice — from above and from below. Remember: Even though you may not feel the heat, you still need to wear sunscreen in the winter.
3. UV Rays Penetrate Glass
Should you wear sunscreen in the winter even if you’re not spending time outside? Yes! The sun’s UV rays do penetrate glass, so sun damage can still occur even when you’re in a car or indoors.
4. Harsh Winter Conditions Cause Damage To Your Skin Barrier
Should you wear sunscreen in the winter even when there’s no risk of sun damage? Yes! Sunscreen is a fantastic addition to any skincare regimen because it doesn’t only keep the bad out — it also keeps the good in.
Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of skin that protects your body from external stressors, and it also holds your skin’s moisture and natural oils in. Wearing sunscreen in the winter protects your skin barrier from being damaged by harsh winter conditions, which naturally helps to prevent dehydration, visible redness, hyperpigmentation, laxity, fine lines and wrinkles, and many other skin conditions associated with a compromised skin barrier.
Senté physical sunscreens are formulated with zinc oxide and iron dioxide — mineral filters that act as a protective shield, not only against the sun’s UV rays, but from cold and windy conditions that can erode your skin’s fatty lipids, potentially causing inflammation and irritation while also leaving your skin vulnerable.
Wearing a mineral-based sunscreen in the winter gives you an extra layer of protection that stands between your skin and the elements. When spending time in harsh winter conditions, make sure you reapply your sunscreen every two hours or so.
5. Senté Sunscreens Neutralize External Stressors
Senté mineral sunscreens are formulated with powerful antioxidants that help to neutralize skin-damaging stressors, such as airborne environmental pollution and free radicals. They also offer broad-spectrum protection from all sources of harmful light, including the visible blue light spectrum emitted from screens and some types of indoor lighting.
Simply put, wearing physical sunscreen in the winter doesn’t just offer protection from the sun. Mineral sunscreens, such as Even Tone Mineral Sunscreen – SPF 40 Light-Medium and Even Tone Mineral Sunscreen – SPF 36 Medium-Dark, are highly effective shields against all types of stressors that aren’t limited to any specific season.
6. Senté Sunscreens Can Help Boost The Skin’s Immune Response to Inflammation
Senté sunscreens offer a major added benefit: patented HSA technology. Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) is a modified analog of heparan sulfate, a natural molecule that delivers deep hydration and renews damaged, inflamed skin that is needed more often during the winter months.
The body’s heparan sulfate supply naturally diminishes over time, and because of its high molecular weight and negative charge, heparan sulfate can’t be absorbed into the skin. Senté HSA delivers those benefits in a form that’s viable for topical use.
Sunscreen in the Winter is Essential
As you can see, you should wear sunscreen in the winter. Senté sunscreens are innovative, active, and efficacious, yet gentle enough even for those with sensitive skin. Like all Senté skincare products, our sunscreens are clean, medical-grade, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and non-comedogenic. Add Senté mineral sunscreen to your year-round skincare regimen.
