Why you should also use sunscreen in winter

Experts from the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) point out that: only 18% of people adequately protect themselves from sun exposure. And it’s that protecting our skin year-round is important, even when we’re in the city. Why? Andrew Birnie, founder of Altruist and skin cancer specialist, explains it to us.

Why is sun protection so important?

“From an aesthetic point of view, the daily exposure of the skin to ultraviolet rays accumulates and that accumulated dose of UV rays will be reflected in the physical appearance of your skin (fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots on the face…) And also flakes or scaly skin can appear on the scalp, face, nose, hands, these are abnormal cells from the buildup of the sun, and these can develop skin cancer or lead to: squamous cell carcinoma,” explain.

“The risk of squamous cell carcinoma is related to chronic sun exposure over many years. However, the risk of melanoma, a more serious type of skin cancer, is more related to strong but more sporadic exposures: it is more to the back or legs. it is essential that you do not burn yourself and do not use tanning beds/UV booths,” adds the expert.

Do you also need to use sunscreen in winter?

“For example, if we are in the north of Europe and we are going to work in the office all day, it is not necessary. However, if you are in the south of Europe, for example in Spain, the exposure to the sun can be relatively high especially if you are going out at some point i would recommend using sunscreen as a moisturizer daily, probably good protection in the morning is enough as long as you don’t plan on spending the day at the beach or all day exercise,” says Andrew Birnie.

What should you pay attention to when choosing sunscreen?

“You have to look for a product that you are willing to use and in a good amount: if someone tells you that this cream is great and you don’t like the texture, the consistency and the smell, and you’re going to end up not using it.” Well, it is, and if the cream is so expensive that you’re going to ration it to make it last longer, then it won’t be as effective either. The SPF value must be at least 30 . to be and you have to make sure that the UVA protection is high: in Europe it is marked with a circle and it is called the “Calipo/a-score” (Calipa Rating): that would say that the UVA protection is at least a third of the SPF is tag. For example, Altruist products rank much higher because we are well aware that UVA may play a role in the development of skin cancer. The UVA protection of our creams is comparable to the UVB protection and the PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) can be consulted. So the ideal is to have a PPD close to the SPF value: then you know that the UVA protection is of high quality,” concludes the expert.

Now take a look at these sunscreens that have conquered us.