Out in the cold: Why you still need to protect your skin from the sun in winter

When winter rolls around, you’re likely to switch up your skincare regime, adding nourishing moisturisers and hydrating masks. But there’s one item that should remain on your beauty shelf throughout the year – sunscreen.

Sun protection is key to maintaining healthy, happy skin across the decades. And while it may feel like you’re spending less time in the sun during the cooler months, it’s important that sunscreen remains part of your daily skincare routine all year long.

Here are four key reasons to use sun protection in winter, and one SPF product we absolutely adore.

UV rays are present year-round

UV radiation is produced as part of the sun’s natural energy. Although the intensity of UV rays may be lower during winter, they still penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere and can still cause harm to your precious skin.

There are two types of UV radiation that are invisible to the eye and contribute to your risk of skin cancer.

• Ultraviolet A (UVA) has a longer wavelength and causes skin aging.
• Ultraviolet B (UVB) has a shorter wavelength and causes skin burning.

Both damage the DNA in your skin cells, which unfortunately can cause defects that can lead to skin cancer or premature aging.

UVA rays are strong enough to move through glass and clouds, so even while you’re running errands in a car, working next to a window, or practicing yoga on a covered terrace, you can be affected by them.

UVA accounts for around 95 percent of UV radiation that reaches the Earth, and the rays maintain the same strength level all day. This means that over a lifetime you’ll experience a very high level of UVA exposure.

But there’s no need to close all the blinds and sit in the dark. Simple sun protection measures can greatly reduce the harm caused by both types of UV rays.

The use of sunscreen throughout the year is one of the best ways to keep your skin in the best shape today and for your future.

Prevent premature wrinkles and slow aging

Aging is beautiful – but we can probably all agree there’s no reason to speed the process along any faster than we have to.

UV radiation is a significant contributor to premature aging of the skin. By wearing sunscreen in winter, you can help prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging caused by sun damage.

While slightly less intense than UVB, UVA goes deeper into your skin. Exposure causes genetic damage to your skin cells, and your skin tries to prevent further damage by darkening, or tanning.

But while UVA rays are responsible for your bronze glow, we all know there’s no such thing as a safe or healthy tan – and this type of exposure can contribute not just to premature aging, but to skin cancers like melanomas.

Prevent sunburn and sun damage

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you’re immune to sunburn. UVB rays damage your skin’s outer layers, and are responsible for most sunburns – and they can still cause burns during winter, especially if you do winter sports or spend time in high-altitude areas where UV intensity is greater.

Yes, if you’re planning a ski holiday this winter, the higher altitude and reflective snow can lead to increased exposure and risks of UV radiation.

On a sunny winter day, it’s always tempting to soak up vitamin D while you have the chance. But if you sit in direct sunlight, make sure any exposed skin is protected with a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion.

UVB intensity fluctuates throughout the day, and peaks from late morning to mid-afternoon.

Lower your risk of skin cancer

Of course, we care about the anti-aging benefits of good sun protection – but life is the greatest gift of all.

Prolonged and cumulative exposure to UV radiation over a lifetime will unfortunately increase your risk of melanomas. Ultimately, the greatest reason to wear sunscreen in winter is to reduce your risk.

Consistent use of sunscreen year-round reduces your overall lifetime exposure. Prevention is key and a good sun protection regime has more than one component.

Put broad-spectrum sunscreen on daily, especially on your face; wear a hat and sunglasses; and avoid the sun during the peak of the day.

Choosing the right sunscreen for winter

The best way to stay consistent with your SPF skincare routine is to find a product you love and will use consistently without a second thought. In other words, the best sunscreen is the one you will actually use.

Look for a “broad-spectrum protection” sunscreen, which protects you against both UVA and UVB rays.

SPF stands for sun protection factor, and the number tells you how long UVB rays would take to harm your skin compared to how long it would take without sunscreen.

So with an SPF50+ product, it would take you 50 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. Of course, you may need to reapply every two hours.

At Elysia, we’re big fans of Airyday Skinscreens. Their new generation SPF50+ sunscreen is supercharged with extra skincare benefits, making it one of those unicorn products that actually simplifies your skincare regime.

Founder Frances van der Velden started the brand after a skin cancer diagnosis in her 30s. Beyond offering sun protection, the Aussie-made award-winning sunscreen acts as the perfect primer and will leave your skin dewy and hydrated.

No matter your skin type or desired look, you can find an Airyday sunscreen product to match.

Want to try it for yourself? You’ll now find Airyday at Elysia Day Spa. Book a skin consultation with your facial this month to receive a free Airyday Eco-Mini product (while stocks last).