Sunscreen Even in Winter

Call me a sun-worshipper.  It is the California Girl in me.  I was raised with the sand between my toes and the sun on my face.  With baby oil.

And I’m trying to un-do it now.

Which means un-learning everything I’ve told myself over the years.

1) Having a ‘base-tan’ means I don’t really need sunblock

2) Going without sunblock ‘at first – to get a little color’ is ok

3)  A sunblock of ’4′ is good enough

and my personal favorite….

4) If it is cold outside (a.k.a below 70 degrees) you don’t need sunblock

The truth is: if you want to protect your skin (and I’ve jumped with both feet completely into this category) you need to do it ALL.THE.TIME.

Certainly, you are exposed to less sun during the winter – you are wearing more clothes, the days are shorter, you spend less time outside – but your hands and face (especially the left side of your face as you drive) are always taking a beating.

And keep these little tidbits in mind:

• The sun is actually stronger in the winter since the sun is closer to the earth
• When you choose a sunscreen – you need one with both UVA and UVB protection as both Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B rays reach the earth’s surface and therefore YOU. Both can cause sunburn and can cause signs of aging.
• My dermatologist recommends an SPF of at least 15 – though I use 30 and reapply a few times throughout the day – just to be safe.
• For those of you in snow-prone states – keep in mind that snow reflects ultraviolet rays – so consider that you will be exposed to the rays from above and below if you are sledding, skiing, skating, etc….  You will need to slather on an SPF of at least 30 for extra protection.

And enjoy those cooler temperatures! (I saw that strictly for my benefit….because really? I don’t do cold.  At All.