Sun Protection in the Snow

Many of us love the snow. In colder areas, snow is a daily occurrence during winter, but other areas don’t get as much as hoped for. Whatever your region or experience level with the snow is, it is important to know the risks and dangers of sun exposure in snowy areas.

Snow can reflect almost 90% of UV radiation so the chance of sunburn is much greater on snow. Added to that, in mountainous regions the atmosphere is thinner and there is less pollution present to filter out ultraviolet (UV) radiation, so a sunburn is much more likely at a high altitude than at sea level. This means areas of the face that are not covered, such as the chin and nose, can be prone to sunburn. It’s also important to note that eye safety such as sunglasses or ski goggles should be worn when outside as well.

It is important to have a proper skincare routine with both UVA and UVB protection before heading out in the snow. BRUSH ON BLOCK® SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen is broad-spectrum and acts as a shield against all these harmful sun rays. The sunscreen powder is not greasy and is made from safe and natural ingredients. It is recommended to reapply every two hours for best results. More great news about Brush On Block is that it is waterproof, so it continues to protect even as snowflakes melt on the face. Don’t forget to add protection to your lips as well. Lips can get sunburnt, and with Protective Lip Oil SPF 32, not only will you be protected from ultraviolet rays reaching the lips, but you'll also be keeping them well moisturized during the dry weather.

A few key points to remember:

• Use an SPF of 30 or higher when going out in the snow
• Use only broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Consider the personal characteristics of your skin (i.e. dry skin vs. oily skin),
• Make sure your sunscreen contains safe and effective ingredients

 Sometimes though, we may forget to apply sunscreen, or we miss a spot. If sunburn does occur, treatment is important. The following are some steps you can take: 

• Try to take a cold shower to ease the affected areas
• Make sure you stay hydrated
• Apply plenty of soothing ointments such as Vaseline and Aloe Vera

Whether you are vacationing in the alps this winter or just staying at home, remember to apply sunscreen every time you go outside, even on cloudy days. Premature skin aging doesn’t look good on anyone, especially when it could have been prevented in the first place. Your skin will thank you for taking care of it by leaving you with a youthful and radiant appearance.