Just because the temperatures have dropped doesn’t mean you should stop applying sunscreen. Clouds and fog can’t prevent harmful UV rays penetrating through and reaching your skin. Dermatologists are now stressing the importance of wearing SPF all year round, not just as an anti-aging method but also to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Unprotected exposure to winter sun, results in premature wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and increases the chances of developing melanoma.
WHY IS THE WINTER SUN BAD FOR YOU?
If you have booked a ski or snowboarding vacation this winter, you need to be extra vigilant. While it may be freezing, the higher altitude in the mountains and UV reflection from the snow, severely increases the damage the sun can do. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Hovenic explains, “At higher altitudes, the atmosphere is thinner, so it absorbs and scatters less ultraviolet (UV) radiation. That means UV intensity increases as you go higher”. She adds that, “On average, UV radiation increases about 4% to 5% for every 1,000 feet (or 300 meters) of elevation gain, so compared to sea level, at 5,000 feet (1,500 m) you have roughly 20–25% more UV exposure and at 10,000 feet (3,000 m), there is roughly 40–50% more UV exposure.”
To put it simply, this means if you live in San Francisco and go on a ski trip to Tahoe you are getting at least 30-40% more UV exposure without including the increased UV from the reflection off the snow. You are essentially exposed to the Sun’s rays twice when skiing, as the snow also reflects up to 80% of UV radiation. The cold air can also wreak havoc on the skin barrier and leave it extremely vulnerable to sunburn. Areas such as lips and the top of the nose need to be especially protected and you should be extra careful to reapply SPF on them frequently.
WHAT SPF SHOULD I USE IN THE WINTER?
The combination of the sun with dry cold wind means the best sunscreen for winter is one that has an SPF 30, along with ceramides and hydrating ingredients. You need a product that will both shield your skin from UV rays, defend your skin barrier, and deliver it with a dose of soothing moisture. Spooge’s Face Shots, have been developed specifically to protect against such elements and even come in handy mini versions that allow you to easily carry them with you when partaking in any snow sports. The innovative formula contains vitamin E, edelweiss and raspberry root extracts, which are antioxidants and ceramides that help protect the skin barrier, while also providing a SPF 30.