Why You Need to Wear Sunscreen This Winter

With the temperatures beginning to dip and the sun setting earlier each day, your first impulse may be to stow a favorite SPF under the sink. But as any dermatologist will tell you, the need to protect your skin against UV damage is a year-round commitment. Incidental sun exposure—the kind experienced on a daily commute—has a cumulative effect that results in fine lines and sagging skin. And recent research suggests that a thick layer of broad-spectrum SPF may be just as important for those who are holed up in a Manhattan office as it is for those who spend their days hitting the slopes or taking snowy walks during winter weekends.

It was two months ago at 5CC, a global dermatology conference, that doctors presented a new study on hyperpigmentation in the form of age spots and freckling. According to New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman, the data suggests that pigment cells can be stimulated not only by the sun’s bright UV rays, but even by lower doses of ambient and infrared light, emitted by your computer screen or overhead lamps. “People used to think, ‘What’s the point of wearing sunblock in winter?’ especially in New York City, where you never see the sun, but now we know that even your office lighting, your phone screen can be harmful,” Engelman says.

Before you dash off to the store to stock up on cold-weather SPF, you might wonder what exactly to look for. If you’ve already got a favorite thick moisturizer for day, layering over it with a simple powder block will work wonders: Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant Mineral SPF 45 dusts easily onto skin with its built-in brush and provides a smooth, matte finish; Engelman suggests reapplying once during your lunch break.

For purists who prefer a dedicated cream to counteract the season’s dry indoor heat and humidity, a richer, more hydrating sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, like La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios AOX serum, helps to counteract the harsh air.

A bottle packed with antioxidants may go one step further, protecting your skin from environmental pollutants and enhancing its radiance: Dr. Dennis Gross’s Dark Spot Defense cream comes with three forms of Vitamins C and E, while Natura Bissé’s C+C SPF 30 uses patented MacroAntioxidants, extracted from orange peels, to boost collagen production and deeply moisturize. But when push comes to shove, your best option may be the simplest: A sunscreen for babies—yes, babies—that uses all organic, ultra-gentle ingredients to powerfully shield adult skin, too.

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