Hot cold, hot cold, will we ever shake winter around the triangle. The answer is yes, before we know it we will be in the middle of our hot humid summers.
Sunscreen is synonymous with summer right? However did you know there are 5 compelling reasons to wear it in cooler weather? Our friends at the lip balm company put together this list to keep us connected to personal wellness in all four seasons. Until we hit our hot weather stride, these tips are good to know.
Here are 5 Reasons to Wear Sunscreen in Cooler Weather:
1. UVA radiation is deceptive.
UVB rays tend to get more of the attention, as they’re the cause of sunburn and that lovely post-burn peeling, but UVA rays get deep into the skin, thus having the potential to cause premature aging and DNA damage that can lead to various types of skin cancer. Even more revealing is that according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays make up as much as 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the earth.
The hard part about UVA is that it can get through glass, which makes you exposed to it even if you’re sitting by a house window, in the car, or on an airplane 12,000 feet in the air. This also means that weather conditions like clouds and fog have little power in preventing UV rays from reaching your skin. Even low levels of sun damage add up over time, including on those colder days, and five or more sunburns can actually double your risk of developing melanoma. One of the best things you can do in response to this risk is to wear broad spectrum sunscreen (with SPF 30 or higher) on a daily basis, reapplying more often when you’re outside and exposing any skin. Because it can be frustrating to apply it separately every day, a great solution is using a face and body moisturizer that includes SPF 30 broad spectrum protection in its formula.
2. UVA rays bounce and reflect.
While you may not be getting snow again this year, did you know that fresh snow can double your exposure to UV rays? That’s because snow reflects the sun’s rays back to you. To further complicate it, your phone or tablet can actually do the same thing, even if on a more moderate scale, though one study found that an iPhone can increase exposure by 36%. Let this be a lesson: Be mindful of the reflective surfaces you use that could heighten the amount of UV radiation that’s reaching your skin.
3. Medications can increase photosensitivity.
Do you apply a medication or prescription cream to your face or skin? It may be making it more photosensitive (that is, more likely to receive sun damage). These products include retinol, chemical peels, high blood pressure medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, and even some antibiotics. Again, it’s crucial to be aware of what you’re putting on your skin, as you may not even realize you’re making your skin more prone to sun damage. If you must continue taking medications that could have this effect, the simple solution is to apply high quality broad spectrum sunscreen to ensure your skin’s safety.
4. Cold weather can weaken skin protection.
Similar to the impact of certain medications, the skin’s ability to protect itself from UV rays is compromised when weather conditions turn cold and dry. The outer layer of the skin simply becomes more vulnerable to the environment, inhibiting it from shielding your body from UV exposure as well as it would during warmer days. To help combat the issue, you can apply a thick lotion with SPF to affected areas.
5. Higher altitudes equal higher risk.The higher you are in terms of altitude, the more prone your skin is to UV damage — so whether you’re skiing, staying in a mountain lodge, or spending time in an area with increased elevation, be sure to apply sunscreen to exposed areas like your ears, lips, and neck. SPF lip balm doesn’t take much room at all, so you can always keep that on hand. It’s worth it, too, considering that UV exposure has been found to increase 4-10% for every 1,000 feet you are above sea level. In addition, direct UVB levels in Vail, Colorado, for example, are about 60% greater than at sea level.
The bottom line? When in doubt, put on that sunscreen. You’ll be saving your skin from damage you may not even know is building.
For a look at the sunscreen products we offer, visit our products page and select “Sunscreen” under the “Filter by Category” option. The Lip Balm company is especially proud of their SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen available in a tottle and 1 oz bottle, featuring zinc oxide as its only active ingredient to create natural-based broad spectrum protection.
Be ready to protect skin in warm or cool weather with this promotional special!
Sunscreen is synonymous with summer right? However did you know there are 5 compelling reasons to wear it in cooler weather? Our friends at the lip balm company put together this list to keep us connected to personal wellness in all four seasons. Until we hit our hot weather stride, these tips are good to know.
Here are 5 Reasons to Wear Sunscreen in Cooler Weather:
1. UVA radiation is deceptive.
UVB rays tend to get more of the attention, as they’re the cause of sunburn and that lovely post-burn peeling, but UVA rays get deep into the skin, thus having the potential to cause premature aging and DNA damage that can lead to various types of skin cancer. Even more revealing is that according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays make up as much as 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the earth.
The hard part about UVA is that it can get through glass, which makes you exposed to it even if you’re sitting by a house window, in the car, or on an airplane 12,000 feet in the air. This also means that weather conditions like clouds and fog have little power in preventing UV rays from reaching your skin. Even low levels of sun damage add up over time, including on those colder days, and five or more sunburns can actually double your risk of developing melanoma. One of the best things you can do in response to this risk is to wear broad spectrum sunscreen (with SPF 30 or higher) on a daily basis, reapplying more often when you’re outside and exposing any skin. Because it can be frustrating to apply it separately every day, a great solution is using a face and body moisturizer that includes SPF 30 broad spectrum protection in its formula.
2. UVA rays bounce and reflect.
While you may not be getting snow again this year, did you know that fresh snow can double your exposure to UV rays? That’s because snow reflects the sun’s rays back to you. To further complicate it, your phone or tablet can actually do the same thing, even if on a more moderate scale, though one study found that an iPhone can increase exposure by 36%. Let this be a lesson: Be mindful of the reflective surfaces you use that could heighten the amount of UV radiation that’s reaching your skin.
3. Medications can increase photosensitivity.
Do you apply a medication or prescription cream to your face or skin? It may be making it more photosensitive (that is, more likely to receive sun damage). These products include retinol, chemical peels, high blood pressure medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, and even some antibiotics. Again, it’s crucial to be aware of what you’re putting on your skin, as you may not even realize you’re making your skin more prone to sun damage. If you must continue taking medications that could have this effect, the simple solution is to apply high quality broad spectrum sunscreen to ensure your skin’s safety.
4. Cold weather can weaken skin protection.
Similar to the impact of certain medications, the skin’s ability to protect itself from UV rays is compromised when weather conditions turn cold and dry. The outer layer of the skin simply becomes more vulnerable to the environment, inhibiting it from shielding your body from UV exposure as well as it would during warmer days. To help combat the issue, you can apply a thick lotion with SPF to affected areas.
5. Higher altitudes equal higher risk.The higher you are in terms of altitude, the more prone your skin is to UV damage — so whether you’re skiing, staying in a mountain lodge, or spending time in an area with increased elevation, be sure to apply sunscreen to exposed areas like your ears, lips, and neck. SPF lip balm doesn’t take much room at all, so you can always keep that on hand. It’s worth it, too, considering that UV exposure has been found to increase 4-10% for every 1,000 feet you are above sea level. In addition, direct UVB levels in Vail, Colorado, for example, are about 60% greater than at sea level.
The bottom line? When in doubt, put on that sunscreen. You’ll be saving your skin from damage you may not even know is building.
For a look at the sunscreen products we offer, visit our products page and select “Sunscreen” under the “Filter by Category” option. The Lip Balm company is especially proud of their SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen available in a tottle and 1 oz bottle, featuring zinc oxide as its only active ingredient to create natural-based broad spectrum protection.
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