Do I Need Sunscreen in Winter?
Lauren Coin
| 2 min read
Lauren Coin is a summer 2025 Corporate Communications intern. She studies journalism and public relations at Michigan State University.
As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, you may think sunscreen isn’t as important as it is in the summer months. However, protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is just as essential in the winter.
Learn more about why it’s important to wear sunscreen no matter the time of year.
Why is sunscreen in the winter important?
UV radiation is reflected by snow, ice, water and sand and can go through windshields and windows, according to the National Cancer Institute.
In fact, snow can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays and increase your chance of sunburn, per Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Even on overcast days, UV rays can still penetrate cloud cover and cause damage.
It’s especially important for those participating in outdoor winter sports, such as skiing, hiking or snowshoeing, to take necessary precautions to protect their skin.
Per the National Library of Medicine, snow sport lovers and hikers have a higher chance of skin damage during the winter. Some may also experience photokeratitis, or snow blindness, which is a painful eye condition caused by exposure to UV rays reflected off the ice or snow.
Benefits of wearing sunscreen year-round
There are many benefits to applying sunscreen every day.
According to the Mayo Clinic, consistent sunscreen use can reduce your risk of skin cancer, as protection helps prevent DNA damage caused by UV radiation. Skin cancer is one of the most common and easily preventable forms of cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Daily sunscreen use can support and maintain skin health by minimizing hyperpigmentation and discoloration, as well as preserving the skin’s natural barrier.
Wearing sunscreen can also help prevent premature aging. The sun causes as much as 90% of visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging, such as wrinkles and sunspots, and UV protection is one of the simplest ways to avoid it, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Tips to protect your skin from the sun
Here are some easy ways to protect yourself from the sun’s rays even in the colder months:
- Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and use SPF 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
- Wear protective clothing like a hat with a wide brim, long sleeves or pants.
- Use UV-protected sunglasses or goggles.
- Limit your time in the sun when UV rays are highest (typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and seek shade whenever possible.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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