Many people assume that sunscreen is not required during the winter months. After all, it’s cloudy, it’s cold, and the UV index is typically low. Thoughts of tanning and sunburn are far from our minds. So, you don’t need to use sunscreen right? WRONG!!

Cloudy or not, cold or not, UV rays still reach us. Even snow can intensify the effects of UV rays on our skin due to the UV rays bouncing off the snow. While the strength of UVB rays vary depending on the season, UVA rays have the same strength all year long. Overtime, exposure to UVA rays can result in some forms of skin cancer, as well as contribute to aging of the skin (wrinkles, sagging, sun spots, etc.). “But I work inside and rarely go outside!” Guess what? UVA rays can penetrate glass! Whether outside, driving, or inside, you still need to protect your skin. Wearing sunscreen everyday can help protect your skin against the damaging and harmful effects of the sun.

When choosing a sunscreen, be sure to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen, one that helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Also be aware that there are physical and chemical sunscreens. The subject of chemical versus physical sunscreens will be the subject of a future blog post.