Winter can be a magical time of year, especially if you enjoy the holiday season. However, it can also come with a few health hazards you’ll want to prepare for. For instance, it’s important to bundle up and keep warm to avoid dangers like hypothermia and frostbite. You also have to moisturize regularly. This helps to reduce the chances of dry and cracked skin and subsequent risks of infection.
However, it can also come with a few health hazards you’ll want to prepare for, including the need for winter sun protection. You’ll want to be wary of overexposing yourself to the sun’s UV rays. If you find this surprising, you’re not alone. In fact, one in five American adults isn’t aware that they can incur sun damage, including sunburns, during the winter. That’s probably because of the widespread belief that the sun is only dangerous in the summer.
Yet that’s only partially true. Though UV levels are indeed at their lowest in colder months, they’re not completely absent during this time. UVA rays can penetrate fog and clouds, and 80% of UVB rays get reflected off of snow and water. That means you can still experience significant sun damage in the winter. Using the same sun protection essentials for the summer—like sunscreen, sunglasses, and UV-blocking clothes—can help prevent that.
Sunscreen for Skin Protection
A broad-spectrum sunscreen is often the first essential that comes to mind when it comes to sun protection in the summer. Dermatologists often recommend using one with at least SPF 30 to block UVB rays, as well as a PA+++ rating to shield against UVA rays. Given how low UV levels get in the winter, you can get away with SPF 15 and a PA++ rating. That’s because what you really need to worry about is covering as much exposed skin as possible using a moisturizing formula. The winter air can dry you out, which can worsen the effects of sunburns once they occur.
You’ll thus want to apply a hydrating sunscreen to not just your face and neck, but your ears—and your lips. Some sunscreens are specifically designed for this purpose, such as the moisturizing SPF lip balm from Blue Lizard. Rated SPF 15, it can block 93% of UV rays while hydrating the lips with natural oils like coconut. Make sure the winter sunscreen products you use provide similar features—and that you apply them wherever you can—for more effective UV protection during colder months.
Sunglasses to Protect Your Eyes
Sunglasses are crucial for protecting your eyes, which are particularly vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays. Overexposure to them is linked with the early development of vision loss through conditions like cataracts. As such, it’s important to check for a “UV400” mark on your sunglasses, which ensures they comply with international UV protection standards.
Sunglasses are essential to avoid conditions like photokeratitis. This can occur when the sun bounces off snow and overwhelms your eyes with glare. This “eye sunburn” can cause pain, discomfort, and even temporary vision loss. If you already have a vision condition like myopia, it’s doubly important that you protect your vision during the wintertime. Try prescription sunglasses with polarized coatings to protect against glare and UV rays for better visual acuity. Eyebuydirect offers a range of quality but affordable options that can help you preserve your eye health throughout the year.
Clothes for Winter Sun Protection
No matter the season, health experts recommend covering up as much as possible to maximize sun protection. Doing so can boost the benefits of the above items. Long-sleeved shirts and pants can protect areas you don’t apply sunscreen to, while wide-brimmed hats shield the eyes and neck from overhead sunlight. Since you need to wear more clothes just to keep you warm during the winter, use this opportunity to maximize sun protection by ensuring your clothing comes with a UPF rating (the clothing equivalent of SPF) and layering them strategically.
In particular, studies find that winter clothes rated UPF 30 and up can prevent melanoma (a kind of skin cancer) in children. That can be an especially useful benchmark for their effectiveness. Especially since the majority of the UV exposure you get in your lifetime occurs before you turn 18. Brands like BloqUV sell winter apparel like turtlenecks, compression leggings, and wind jackets with UPF ratings. Be sure to stock your wardrobe with these UV-blocking staples. Try to have enough pieces to wear at least three layers of clothing when you’re outdoors—one for your base, another for insulation, and a final one for your outer shell—for full protection from the sun and cold. Look for clothes with lightweight and moisture-wicking fabrics to prevent overheating while dressing to ward off the winter sun.
Importance of Winter Sun Protection
In conclusion, staying safe during the colder months involves more than just bundling up—it’s about being mindful of winter sun protection too. From using hydrating sunscreen to wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and strategically layering UPF-rated clothing, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, even in the winter. By prioritizing these simple steps, you can enjoy the magic of the season while keeping your skin, eyes, and overall health in top condition. Don’t let winter catch you off guard—stay prepared and protected!
