Now that summer is gone most people are tossing away their sunscreen and bundling up for the cold winter months ahead, ready to hit the slopes. But it’s important to remember that sunscreen is needed every day that you’re skin is exposed to the sun, especially in the snow.
No matter how hot or cold it is outside, your skin will burn. The cold weather tends to dry out your skin, making it more susceptible to sun damage as well as increasing the risk for skin cancer. When you’re skiing or snowboarding at high elevations you’re closer to the sun, intensifying its’ rays as they hit the snow. If that wasn’t bad enough, the snow itself reflects these rays back upon your skin by 80%. Therefore you’re actually MORE likely to get sunburned while enjoying a day out carving the snow.
You can still enjoy a weekend up in the mountains though, as long you take the proper precautions. The American Melanoma Foundation provides some really good tips:
-Use sunscreen daily if you’re exposed to sunlight for more than 20 minutes
-Make sure to apply sunscreen to your dry skin 30 minutes BEFORE being exposed
-Take note of the trouble areas: face, ears, hands and arms
It’s recommended you use a sunscreen product with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) level of at least 15, or if you skin is easily prone to burning you could go even higher; 30 or 60. Don’t forget about your lips either. Using a lip balm with sun protection will prevent your lips from getting damaged.
So have fun this winter in the snow, and don’t forget to pack your Zinka products with you to keep your skin protected!
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