5 Surprising Situations When You Need To Wear SPF

 

1. Indoors

For those spending all day indoors, UVA light can still reach you by penetrating window glass. If you’re spending the day in a room with sunlight streaming through the windows, you're receiving a similar amount of UVA rays as you would be if you were outside.

2. At High Altitudes

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVB rays can cause sun damage and sunburn even if you’re on a skiing holiday rather than a beach vacation. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s damaging rays, so next time you're on the slopes, apply sunscreen to the exposed parts of your face to protect against the increased UV exposure from the reflection.

3. During Winter

The ozone layer is the part of the atmosphere that absorbs the radiation from the sun. During the winter months, the ozone layer thins out, so you have less defense against the sun’s rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests applying SPF to your entire body before you get dressed. At a minimum, they recommend applying sunscreen to those easy-to-forget areas like your ears, neck, or scalp.

4. On Cloudy Days

The Skin Cancer Foundation also states that even when it’s cloudy, up to 80% of the sun’s UV radiation reaches Earth. Unfortunately, that means an outside activity on an overcast day can still result in skin damage.

5. Through Light Clothing

You would assume that all clothing protects us from sun damage, but some lightweight fabrics like silk, crepe, or cotton tend to allow light through. Also, the lighter the color of the garment, the more likely sunlight will hit the skin. For example, a white cotton t-shirt only protects with the equivalency of SPF 5! For more protection, wear dark-colored, dense fabrics. Synthetic and semisynthetic fibers like polyester or rayon plus heavy, tightly woven fabrics like wool, denim or corduroy provide the most defense.

 

What SPF Is Best For Everyday Use?

When choosing a sunscreen, look for the phrase “broad spectrum.” This description signals that the formula protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Next, check the sun protection factor (SPF) number that rates the sunscreen’s effectiveness in blocking UV rays. For your best defense, select sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15.

Our range of four unique all-mineral SPF moisturizers is formulated especially for the face and neck. Each formula is free from silicones and brimming with natural, organic botanicals and active ingredients to deliver targeted skin benefits, all while helping you stay protected from sun damage, every day.