TL;DR (too long; didn’t read)

• UV rays are present year-round — even on cloudy days.

• 80% of UV rays are able to penetrate light cloud cover.

• Rays reflect off snow, water, and concrete, increasing your risk of exposure.

• Daily use of a broad-spectrum, SPF 50 sunscreen (most Blue Lizard sunscreens are SPF 50) helps prevent early skin aging and skin damage.

You know the importance of slathering on sunscreen when you’re going out in the hot summer sun. You probably even know how important it is to protect your skin at a fall barbecue, where the UV rays can still reach you even when it’s cloudy or cool.

But if you aren’t keeping up with your sunscreen habits during the winter, you’re missing out on important protection. The sun doesn’t stop shining when the temperature drops, and that means UV rays are still a danger to your skin.

Here’s what you need to know about staying fearless in the winter sun.

UV rays don’t take vacations

Even when you can’t see the sun, UV rays are still sneaking through — according to the EPA, up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds. That means your skin is still taking a hit, even on gray, drizzly, or snowy days.

In fact, snowy days can be a particularly important time to protect your skin. UV rays will bounce off reflective surfaces like snow, puddles, and even concrete, so you’re catching rays from above and below.

If you’ve ever come off the ski slopes with a weird, painful ski-goggle sunburn, you were the victim of reflected UV rays. And if you’ve ever come home from a long road trip with a sunburn on one arm, now you know why.

UV rays can lead to premature aging, dark spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer — on top of those uncomfortable burns. Winter skin protection is a must.

At Blue Lizard, we’re experts in mineral sunscreen and have earned awards — and the trust of dermatologists — for our high-quality products. Here are our tips for staying fearless in the winter sun.

• Protect your skin every day, not just when you’ll be spending time outdoors. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher — Blue Lizard Sheer Face Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion is specifically designed for daily use, rubbing in smoothly and drying clear with no white cast.

• Apply your sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outside, and reapply at least every two hours. If you’ll be doing anything sweaty, reapply every 80 minutes. (and reapply after you towel off to keep from wiping away all that protection). Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion is great for winter sun safety, and our Sunscreen Stick gives you all the same benefits in a convenient stick, perfect for quick touchups when you’re out in the weather.

• Cover up. Sunglasses are essential, and winter is the perfect time to try out a stylish, broad-brimmed hat.

• Maximize early mornings and late afternoons. Do your best to work on that snowman before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. to avoid the hours when the sun’s rays are typically the strongest.

Wrapping it up

UV radiation is an everyday concern, all year round. But it shouldn’t stop you from being fearless all winter long. Daily use of a broad-spectrum, SPF 50 sunscreen like Blue Lizard can help keep your skin safe, help prevent premature skin aging, and avoid those ski-goggle sunburns.