Many people think that the sun is only strong in the summer, but in fact, this is not entirely true. UV rays, especially UVA rays, can penetrate clouds and glass, reaching the skin even on cold days. Studies show that about 80% of UV rays can still penetrate clouds, which means that you can still be affected by UV rays even when it is cloudy. UVA rays not only cause skin aging but also increase the risk of skin cancer. Here are 4 fatal mistakes when using sunscreen in the cold season that you should know.

Choosing the wrong sunscreen for your skin type

Using sunscreen in winter is no less important than in summer, because the skin can still be damaged by UV rays during this time. Therefore, choosing the right sunscreen for each skin type is extremely necessary. If you have oily skin, you should choose a gel or water-based sunscreen to avoid stickiness and keep your skin cool.

Meanwhile, for dry skin, prioritize products containing moisturizing ingredients to nourish soft skin, not dry and tight. For those with sensitive skin, choosing a sunscreen that is fragrance-free and has few irritating ingredients is essential to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Using sunscreen in winter is no less important than in summer.

Not applying sunscreen when necessary

Sunscreen protects the skin for a certain period of time and its effectiveness will gradually decrease over time. Most sunscreens only maintain their protective effect for about 2-3 hours after being applied to the skin. This means that if you are exposed to the sun for a long time or participate in outdoor activities, such as sports or work that causes sweating, you need to reapply sunscreen regularly. Skipping this step will reduce the ability to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, easily leading to the risk of sunburn, skin aging and even skin cancer. Therefore, do not forget to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially when going outdoors, to ensure your skin is always optimally protected.

Choose sunscreen with the right SPF index

You should use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, because it can block about 97% of UVB rays. Meanwhile, sunscreen with SPF 50 can block up to 98% of UVB rays. In addition, sunscreen with high SPF also helps protect the skin better on sunny days, minimizing the risk of burns, skin aging and skin cancer due to the harmful effects of UV rays.

You should use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Using too little sunscreen

UV rays, especially UVA rays, can penetrate clouds and glass, directly affecting the skin even in cold weather. Even in winter, when there is no harsh sunlight, your skin can still be affected by UV rays, even on cloudy days. UVA rays not only contribute to rapid skin aging but also increase the risk of skin cancer.

Dermatologists recommend that to achieve optimal protection, you should apply about 2mg/cm² of sunscreen to your entire face and body. In addition, the ozone layer, which protects the skin from UV rays, also becomes thinner in winter, reducing its ability to filter harmful ultraviolet rays. This causes the collagen bonds in the skin to break down, damaging the structure and health of the skin.

Apply about 2mg/cm² of sunscreen to the entire face and body.

The above article has pointed out 4 fatal mistakes when using sunscreen in the cold season that you should avoid. Winter is characterized by cold, dry air and low humidity, making the skin prone to peeling, itching and redness. The main reason is that the natural protective oil layer of the skin has been lost. Therefore, applying sunscreen is very important to create a protective layer, helping to prevent harmful agents from the environment from affecting the skin.