Do you really need to wear sunscreen in winter?
words by daisy henry
“Think of it as protecting your investment.”
I’ve always prided myself on being a model student when it comes to using sunscreen. A brutal sunburn a few years ago, coupled with advice from practically every skin specialist ever, has meant I’ve been fiercely diligent about applying and reapplying. Though I’m not the most savvy when it comes to skincare (I’m yet to fully wrap my head around retinol), SPF has felt like a non-negotiable.
However, in a complete turn of events, the further we’re descending into winter, the less I’ve been applying my trusty SPF. It’s not a particularly conscious choice; it’s just that as the days get shorter and I find myself spending more time indoors, my routine has quietly slipped.
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Part of it, I think, comes from a subconscious assumption that if I’m indoors all day, or if the UV index is low, it’s less pressing. But, when speaking to dermal therapist, Sheridan Damjanovic, she doesn’t miss a beat: “Yes to SPF. All the time.”
Do I need to wear sunscreen in winter if the UV is low?
A large reason for the confusion surrounding sunscreen in winter harks back to the fact that for the months of June to August, the sky is covered in clouds. “I think we get really hung up on the word ‘sun’, and that’s often where we get it wrong,” Sheridan explains. “We don’t just need to protect our skin when it’s bright and sunny outside. What we’re really protecting ourselves from is ultraviolet radiation.”
Ultraviolet, or ‘UV’ radiation, is a type of energy emitted by the sun. There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, which penetrates deep into the skin, UVB, which causes sunburn, and UVC, which is absorbed by the ozone layer.
“While most glass blocks the majority of UVB rays – the rays responsible for sunburn – UVA can penetrate through windows and reach deeper layers of the skin, contributing to premature ageing and DNA damage. Both UVA and UVB play a role in the development of skin cancer,” Sheridan says. Even snow is highly reflective and can bounce UVA and UVB rays back onto your skin, increasing your overall exposure.
The UV index, which you can access on most weather apps, is considered a guide to measuring UV radiation. Although the general recommendation is that sun protection is particularly important when the UV index reaches three or above, UV radiation is always present, even on days with a low index rating.
“Just because it’s below three doesn’t mean you should ignore protective measures altogether,” Sheridan adds. “It’s also worth remembering that UV and temperature are not the same thing. A cool day can still have significant UV exposure, and a hot day doesn’t automatically mean UV levels are high.”
Then there’s also cumulative exposure and the fact that exposure adds up over time, contributing to accelerated ageing and increasing risk of skin cancers.
“Think of UV radiation as the invisible threads woven through your favourite pair of jeans. You may not notice it straight away, but over time, it’s what causes the fabric to fade, lose strength and show wear. Your skin behaves much the same way. ”
Do I need to wear sunscreen if I’m indoors all day?
Another counterargument might be that in winter, you’re mostly inside all day. But according to Sheridan, if your home or workplace has windows, or you’re commuting to and from, you’re still receiving some level of UVA exposure throughout the day. “Whether that exposure is significant enough to concern you depends on your environment but for most people, daily SPF remains a sensible habit,” she says.
What kind of sunscreen to look for
Sunscreen creates a barrier that intercepts and blocks UV radiation before it can penetrate and damage your skin. “[It’s] arguably the most important investment in any skincare routine. Think of it as protecting your investment.”
Sheridan’s rule of thumb is roughly two-finger lengths of product for your face, and another finger-length for your neck (front and back), and ears.
There are dozens of types of sunscreen on the market, ranging from SPF to broad spectrum (the latter offering protection from both UVA and UVB rays), to organic, mineral and water-proof. Although “the best sunscreen is ultimately the one you’ll wear consistently”, Sheridan shares some of her favourites below.
Mecca To Save Face SPF50+
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Get it here.
Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control
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Get it here.
Ultra Violette Big Queen Energy and Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+
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Get it here.
For more on sunscreen and SPF, try this.
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