A woman in winter applying a solar cream on her face with snowy mountains in the background
11 Reasons You Need To Keep Your SPF On Hand All Winter Long
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By EMILY HUTCHINSON
Hand covering sun
UV Rays Never Go Away
A young woman holds out her hand to block the sun shining on her
The sun gives off ultraviolet rays known as ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which age your skin, and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which burn and can cause problems like skin cancer.
Snow topped village and trees at sunrise
UVA and UVB rays can penetrate through clouds and are even present when it's raining, which is one of the biggest reasons why slathering on the SPF in winter is essential.
A woman lays in a chair at a ski resort while smiling at the sun with snow in the background
Snow Reflects The Sun's Rays
A laughing child lays in the snow holding a large snowball
White snow reflects the sun's ultraviolet rays even more than water. SunSmart claims the snow can bounce back up to 90% of UV rays, getting a double dose from the sky and ground.
A family slides down a snowy hill on an inner tube on a sunny day
Winter Activities Leave Your Skin Vulnerable
A woman holds her skis upright while she smiles in the sun on a mountain
Winter sports like skiing or snowboarding can get pretty sweaty, and perspiration causes the skin to absorb more UV radiation, making us even more susceptible to sun damage.
A woman closes her eyes outside wearing a green hat and scarf
Falling snow can even wash away sunscreen, and harsh winds can render SPF less effective, so be sure to use waterproof sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
Snowy fir trees seen through the window panes
Indoor UV Rays
People who spend a lot of time indoors near windows may tend to get complacent with the sun without realizing how much damage it's doing to their skin.
Dr. Elizabeth Mullans explained to Fox News, "Not all glass is created equally. It is important to apply daily SPF 30 or higher because harmful UVA rays can penetrate windows."
Celebrities Swear By It
While they may be fortunate to have access to the best skincare specialists, celebrities such as Kourtney Kardashian and Leah McSweeney also swear by using SPF all year.
Jennifer Garner says, "Start your day with it. Don't waste any time. You have to do it whether it's overcast […] or sunny. It's just gotta be part of your routine."