Are you stressed about the harsh winter season damaging your skin? Despite the drop in temperature, UV rays still lurk, threatening your skin health. With the right natural daily moisturiser and natural suncare product, your skin can be one less winter worry.
So don’t think you won’t need your natural daily sunscreen anymore this winter season. Read on to learn more about the 5 reasons you need to wear sunscreen in winter.
Reason #1: Prevents sunburn
Contrary to popular belief, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are not exclusive to the scorching heat of summer. It appears throughout the year, even during the icy grip of winter, with the same strength. Winter months may obscure the sun’s strength as the climate veers to the cooler side, but it doesn’t weaken the UV radiation the sun emits, which remains potent in causing skin damage.
Wearing sunscreen all four seasons becomes a protective barrier against this customary risk.
Amplified sunlight reflection by snow
Surprisingly, winter can escalate exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Snow acts as a reflective surface for these rays, bouncing back up to 80% of UV radiation. This means you’re not only getting hit by UV rays from above but also from the ground. Skin impact multiplies, which can swiftly transform into sunburn without a protective layer of sunscreen.
Reason #2: Maintains even skin complexion
While the surface of your skin might love the warmth of the sun on a beautiful sunny day, it’s a different story underneath. UV rays from the sun penetrate the skin’s surface layer. They reach the basal layer, where they initiate the production of melanin, the skin’s dark pigment. A surge in melanin production can potentially proliferate a non-uniform skin complexion, brewing troublesome skin concerns.
A mild winter sun can be quite deceitful, as those enticing sun rays behind the cool breeze are just as capable of igniting melanin overflow.
Sunscreen can prevent hyperpigmentation and discolouration
When applied appropriately, sunscreen forms a protective barrier on your skin against harmful UV rays, considerably reducing the risk of accelerated melanin production. This means an even skin complexion throughout the year, as hyperpigmentation and discolouration chances diminish with diligent sunscreen application.
Reason #3: Protects against sub-surface sun damage
Beyond the visible sunburn, UV rays penetrate beneath your skin surface, wreaking havoc on skin cells. Sunscreen can prevent harmful rays from reaching these cells. By minimising UV penetration, sunscreen safeguards skin cells against changes that eventually result in severe skin problems.
Undeniably, it’s essential to incorporate sunscreen in your daily skincare routine, no matter the season, to ensure that your skin cell health remains intact.
Reason #4: Slows down skin ageing
The sun’s ultraviolet rays – UVA and UVB – can accelerate the skin’s ageing process. Prolonged exposure to these UV rays, even during the winter, can lead to superficial skin changes such as wrinkles and freckles. Over time, it can result in more concerns, like visible loss of skin elasticity and firmness.
To battle this wear and tear caused by the sun’s UVA rays, it’s essential to apply sunscreen daily. Sunscreens not only act as a shield against harmful UVA rays but also minimise the damage inflicted on skin proteins like collagen, elastin and keratin, which are crucial in maintaining your skin’s health and youthfulness.
By protecting these proteins, sunscreens help retain skin elasticity and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles – typical signs of ageing.
Reason #5: Reduces the risk of skin cancer
You might think that a sunburn is merely a temporary inconvenience – a little redness, some irritation and then it’s gone. But the reality is that each sunburn can leave a lasting impact on your skin. Every incidence of sunburn can potentially alter the DNA of your skin cells, setting off a chain reaction of cellular damage that can lead, over years, to skin cancer.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, experiencing five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. This makes sunburns not just an annoyance but a significant health hazard. Knowing this, you must always protect your skin, no matter the season. So even in the wintertime, make sure you put on enough sunscreen.
Stay protected year-round
Don’t let the cooler temperatures fool you. UV rays are just as potent during winter, and snow can amplify their effects.
The top 5 reasons you need to wear sunscreen in winter highlight the critical importance of year-round skin protection. From preventing sunburn and maintaining an even skin complexion to protecting against sub-surface sun damage, slowing down skin ageing and reducing the risk of skin cancer, sunscreen remains an essential part of your daily skincare routine.
Stay vigilant, and keep your skin well-protected to enjoy a worry-free winter.
Key Points to Remember
- UV rays are potent throughout the year, even in winter. Sunscreen acts as a protective barrier against sunburn caused by these rays, which can be amplified by reflective surfaces like snow.
- UV rays can cause uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation by increasing melanin production. Using sunscreen daily helps maintain an even complexion by reducing the risk of these issues.
- Sunscreen prevents harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin and damaging cells below the surface. This protection is essential for maintaining healthy skin and preventing severe skin problems.
- UV rays accelerate skin ageing, leading to wrinkles, loss of elasticity and other signs of ageing. Sunscreen helps protect skin proteins like collagen and elastin, slowing down this process and keeping the skin youthful.
- Repeated sunburns can damage DNA in skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer. Regular sunscreen use reduces this risk, making it a crucial part of your skincare routine, even in the winter.
Passionate about nurturing our planet and communities, Little Urchin combines organic ingredients with broad-spectrum protection in its range of skincare and suncare products. We are committed to a healthy, sustainable future and strive for the well-being of current and future generations.
