WINTER SUN PROTECTION

To be healthy, you have to take care of yourself all-year-round –even in the UK! Unfortunately, lots of Brits fail as they don’t understand the impact of the winter sun. Over 25% of Brits don’t know that it’s possible to experience winter sun skin damage. If you fall into this category, you could be putting your wellbeing in danger since UV rays are incredibly powerful. They don’t even have to leave a burn to have an adverse effect. Everybody should take more care in the winter, but it’s essential to know why to avoid making the same mistakes. No SPF The most common way the winter sun causes skin damage is through a lack of awareness. When you are comfortable, you take fewer precautions that you would normally. For instance, not putting on sun cream before leaving the house. Even failing to use a moisturiser with SPF is critical as it’s one less layer of protection. As a result, everything from a redness and swelling ointment to a hyperpigmentation treatment might be necessary, depending on the level of damage. By taking the number and power of UV rays in the colder months seriously – they are around on cloudy days, for example – it should encourage you to be less casual.

Lower Humidity You might assume that humidity levels are lower in the winter and higher in the summer, yet this isn’t always true. In June and July, the stifling heat leads to more moisture in the air, which is good for your skin. In the winter, the atmosphere is drier, and this means there is not as much water for your skin. Moisturising helps, as always, but it’s easy to forget about key areas, such as your lips. Applying balm with SPF not only stops them from drying out, but it protects them from the sun’s rays too. The Eyes Sunlight is still intense, especially for your eyes. This is because you block less of it, believing it’s not sunny enough to warrant glasses, and certain wintery features make UV rays twice as powerful. Snow is a prime example.

How does this affect your skin? It’s by making it easier for the sensitive areas around your eyes to be impacted. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that eyelid skin cancer makes up 5 to 10% of all skin cancers, so it’s no joke. Plus, sunnies take care of your eyesight while enhancing your style! Localised Concentration Thankfully, the weather means you wrap up warm most of the time. With layers on, the clothes can absorb or reflect the rays, leaving your skin unexposed. The issue is with features that remain out in the open when the conditions are bad, such as your face and head. They take on the brunt of the pressure, leading to localised areas of concentration. The key is to cover them up as much as possible by wearing a hat or pulling your scarf around your neck and lower face.