As the winter arrives, the first thing one forgets or skips in the skincare routine is sunscreen. We often stick to using heavy moisturizers, thinking they’re enough to protect the skin. But that’s not true—sunscreen is just as important in winter as it is in summer. Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is important all year round, Shaily Mehrotra, CEO and Co-founder, Fixderma India Pvt Ltd revealed.
There are several factors that need to be studied regarding how the skin is affected when sunscreen is not applied.
“A common misconception is that sunscreen is only necessary on sunny days. In reality, UV rays are present year-round, regardless of the season. While UVB rays, responsible for sunburn, may decrease in winter, UVA rays continue to penetrate the skin, contributing to premature aging and increasing the risk of skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate through the clouds. It is crucial to address this scientific reality and challenge the outdated belief that sunscreen is not essential during the colder months,” Mehrotra told Financial Express.com.
The harsh, cold weather of the winter months can leave skin dry, chapped, and highly sensitive. In such conditions, the skin becomes more vulnerable, making it increasingly susceptible to damage from UV rays. Without proper sunscreen protection, prolonged exposure can accelerate skin aging and lead to long-term harm. It is essential to safeguard the skin with sunscreen to mitigate these risks and preserve its health and integrity.
According to Mehrotra, skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer globally, with UV exposure being a primary risk factor. Daily sunscreen application, even in winter, significantly reduces the risk of developing skin cancer. Taking this simple step to protect the skin year-round can have a profound impact on long-term health and well-being.
“Spending hours in front of a screen or any artificial lights can affect your skin in the long term, increasing the risk of skin damage and even skin cancer. These types of devices emit blue lights which go deep down into our skin breaking our collagen, causing dark spots and causing premature aging. It’s important to protect your skin from these hidden dangers and therefore it’s recommended to use sunscreen with heavy SPF,” she said.
Reapplying sunscreen multiple times is essential even in winter, not just summer. Sunscreen provides effective protection for about two hours before its efficacy begins to diminish, especially during activities that cause sweating or frequent face wiping. The general guideline is to reapply every two to three hours when outdoors and once midday if you’re mainly indoors, she added.
“Regular use of sunscreen is essential for maintaining skin hydration, moisture, and preventing dryness. Formulated with ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for physical protection, as well as avobenzone and oxybenzone for broad-spectrum chemical defense, sunscreen provides vital nourishment and safeguards the skin from harmful UV rays. These key ingredients work together to promote skin health and long-term protection,” she said.
Reapplying sunscreen multiple times is essential even in winter, not just summer. Sunscreen provides effective protection for about two hours before its efficacy begins to diminish, especially during activities that cause sweating or frequent face wiping, she explained.