Essential Tips for Protecting Your Skin During Winter

Many people think of sun protection as a summer-only concern, but winter brings its own unique risks for skin damage. While the air may be cooler, UV rays can be more intense in winter because snow reflects and amplifies their effect, increasing exposure to our skin. Whether you’re hitting the slopes, taking a winter hike, or just spending time outdoors, it’s essential to protect your skin all season long. Here’s what you need to know to keep your skin safe and healthy during winter adventures.

Understanding UV Risks in Winter

Snow-covered landscapes can turn any winter adventure into a sun-soaked experience, often without you realizing it. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays, effectively doubling exposure and intensifying the sun’s impact on your skin. This effect is especially strong at higher altitudes, where UV radiation naturally increases with elevation. When UV rays penetrate the skin they can cause immediate damage like sunburn as well as longer-lasting effects. Prolonged sun exposure leads to signs of premature aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. More concerning, however, is the development of skin cancer. Ski resorts and mountain vacation destinations—where people spend hours outside—can lead to classic “goggle tans” or even painful burns, highlighting the need for sun protection in winter.

Understanding Skin Cancer Risks from UV Radiation

UV radiation is a significant risk factor for skin cancer, making sun protection a year-round priority. UV rays from the sun, along with artificial sources like tanning beds, penetrate the skin and damage its DNA. This damage accumulates over time, increasing the risk of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. UV radiation is composed of UVA and UVB rays, each affecting the skin differently. UVA rays penetrate deeply, leading to skin aging and increasing cancer risk.UVB rays affect the skin’s outer layers, causing sunburn and intensifying cancer risk, especially in areas with high sun exposure or reflected light from snow. Protecting yourself with broad-spectrum sunscreen, UPF clothing, hats, and UV-protective eyewear can significantly lower your risk of developing skin cancer, ensuring you can safely enjoy winter adventures.

Choosing the Right SPF for Winter

In winter, protecting your skin with the right SPF is just as essential as it is in summer. For cold-weather activities, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to shield all exposed areas, including your face, neck, upper chest, and ears. Broad-spectrum coverage is crucial for defense against both UVA and UVB rays, which can cause premature aging and increase skin cancer risk. Winter’s dry air can be harsh on the skin, so consider sunscreens or moisturizers that hydrate while they protect. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially during long days outside. Travel-sized sunscreens or SPF sticks are easy to carry, making reapplication convenient and ensuring continuous protection.

Click here to view a list of recommended sun protection products from The Skin Cancer Foundation and find the one that’s right for you.  

Winter Sun Protection Gear and Clothing

In addition to sunscreen, incorporating sun-protective clothing and accessories into your winter wardrobe can provide extra defense against UV rays. Consider wearing UPF-rated clothing, which is specially designed to block UV rays and offer added protection during outdoor activities.

UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, measures how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin. For instance, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of UV rays, allowing only 2% (1/50th) to penetrate, significantly reducing your UV exposure risk. Fabrics must have a UPF of at least 30 to qualify for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, with UPF 30-49 offering very good protection and UPF 50+ rated as excellent. Unlike SPF, which measures only UVB protection, UPF considers both UVA and UVB rays. For more information on UPF clothing, refer to this article.

Accessories like UV-protective sunglasses or ski goggles that block both UVA and UVB rays are essential for shielding your eyes and the delicate skin around them, preventing sunburn and long-term damage. Other winter gear, like neck gaiters, hats, and gloves, can offer full coverage and warmth while reducing UV exposure to your skin. This combination of SPF clothing and protective accessories creates a strong barrier, keeping you safe and comfortable on your winter adventures.

Winter Vacation Sun Safety Guide

Whether you’re headed to sunny beaches or snowy peaks, winter getaways call for proactive sun protection to keep your skin safe from harmful UV exposure.

Packing Essentials: For tropical escapes or mountain adventures, add these items to your packing list: 

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
• SPF lip balm
• UPF-rated clothing 
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Wide-brimmed hats
• UV-protective swimwear  

UPF-rated swimsuits and rash guards are also helpful for continuous defense against intense sun exposure during beach or water activities.

For cold weather activities like skiing or snowboarding, be sure to bring: 

• UPF-rated base layers, jackets, and pants 
• UV-blocking sunglasses/ski goggles, hats, and gloves 

High-Exposure Destinations: Popular tropical spots, like the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico, come with increased UV risk due to sunlight reflecting off sand and water. Similarly, snowy destinations—like Colorado, the Swiss Alps, or Canada—can double UV exposure from snow reflection, increasing your risk of sunburn. Regardless of the environment, remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating, to maintain optimal protection.

Routine Reminders: Daily sunscreen application is essential, even on cloudy days, as UV rays can penetrate clouds and reflect off surfaces. Incorporate sunscreen into your morning routine and reapply as needed throughout the day. For continuous coverage, rely on UPF clothing to reduce the need for frequent reapplication, especially for prolonged outdoor activities. Remember SPF-lip balm to shield your lips, which are particularly vulnerable to sun damage.

By following these tips, you’ll keep your skin protected and enjoy your winter getaway with peace of mind.

Treating a Sunburn – If you do happen to get sunburned, follow these tips to manage the pain and prevent further skin damage: 

• Move out of the sun immediately.  
• Soothe the burn with a cool bath or gently apply cool, damp cloths. 
• Seek over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, to help reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. 
• Hydrate by drinking plenty of water, as sunburns can lead to dehydration.
• After cooling the skin, apply a gentle, unscented moisturizer or aloe vera to soothe and lock in moisture.
• If blisters appear, don’t pop them, as this can increase the risk of infection and slow healing. Instead, lightly cover any broken blisters with gauze and apply an antiseptic ointment as needed. 
• Avoid going back into the sun until the burn has healed fully.

For severe sunburns—especially if they cover more than 15% of your body, cause dehydration, or result in a high fever or persistent pain lasting over 48 hours—seek medical attention promptly.

Conclusion

Whether you’re skiing in the mountains, relaxing on a tropical beach, or enjoying a winter hike, sun protection is essential for keeping your skin safe and healthy year-round. UV radiation remains strong in winter, especially with the added reflection from snow or sand which can amplify exposure and increase the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. By incorporating protective measures like sunscreen, UPF clothing, and UV-blocking accessories, you can confidently enjoy your winter adventures while minimizing UV damage.

For those looking to take extra precautions, regular skin exams are a key part of skin health. Revere Health offers Dermatology services across multiple locations in Utah, providing expert screenings and treatments. With support from Revere Health’s Dermatologists, you can maintain your skin’s health all year long.