The colder weather is just around the corner, and this brings drier air that can be bad news for our skin. There is a lot of advice out there about which moisturisers and cleansers to use to keep your skin looking its best throughout the winter, and it is also often recommended to carry on wearing sunscreen.
This can be a confusing area, as many people assume that you only need to wear sunscreen in the summer when the weather is bright and sunny. Here’s a look at what the truth is.
In the UK when the weather is cloudy in winter, it’s true that you are at a lower risk of getting sun burn than on a clear summer’s day. However, there is some nuance about just how much protection you need during the winter. There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) light that can cause damage to your skin and potentially cause cancer: UVA and UVB.
UVA rays cause visible lasting damage, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation. They are present at the same strength all year round, and can penetrate through cloud layers and even glass and clothing. Therefore, even if your skin doesn’t look burned it may well be incurring deeper and more long lasting damage when left unprotected at any time of year.
Sunscreen or sunblock provides protection against both UVA and UVB, and has a rating of one to five, depending on the quality of its protection. Experts recommend using a product with a rating of at least four. The SPF number (Sun Protection Factor) only relates to the level of protection from UVB.
The SPF number relates to the amount of time you can stay in the sun before you will start to burn. Assuming the average person would burn in direct sunlight after ten minutes, a product with an SPF of 20 would make it possible to stay safe for 20 times longer, e.g. 20 x 10 minutes, or about three and a half hours.
It can be a hassle applying multiple layers of product every morning, especially if you wear foundation as part of your makeup routine. Therefore it’s a good idea to use multitasking products such as tinted moisturisers. Look for brands that contain an SPF of at least 30, and also offer some coverage to even out your skin tone.
Lastly, there are other factors that play a role in how effective your sunscreen is. Some people don’t apply enough sunscreen, especially if they are wary of irritating oily skin. Experts recommend applying two finger strips (from the palm to the fingertip) to the face and neck to ensure that you have adequate coverage.
It’s also important to remember that sunscreen that has been opened for six months will start to deteriorate, so you should discard it even if you have not used it all within this timeframe.
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