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Reasons You Need to Wear Sunscreen in Winter

Should You Wear Sunscreen in the Winter?

(Hint: yes.)

In my experience, the standard response to this question is:

“It’s winter – why do I need to wear sunscreen?”
“It’s cloudy and overcast, so no.” 
“I have no plans to go out today.”
Or my favourite: “Sunscreen is for Caucasians, and I am much darker, so why should I wear sun cream?”

Almost all skincare experts agree that if you live in a place like Dubai, you should wear sunscreen 365 days a year, especially if you are Caucasian (and even if you are not). But let’s delve further into the why.

What Is the Difference Between Solar Radiation and UV Radiation?

Solar radiation – or the sun’s rays – includes ultraviolet radiation (UV), infraredradiation (IR), and visible radiation (which enables us to see). In this article, we are only interested in UV radiation which, for our purposes, comprises of UVB radiation and UVA radiation.

sunscreen

UVB radiation is the shorter, more energetic radiation and about 5-10% of total UVR. The inflammation of the skin (sub burn) and the resulting reddening of the skin (erythema) are mainly caused by UVB radiation. UVA radiation has a longer wavelength and less energetic radiation, and forms about 90-95% of total UV radiation. Therefore, the bulk of UV radiation reaching us is, in fact, UVA.

UVA, because of its longer wavelength radiation, penetrates our skin deeper and is responsible for photoageing (premature ageing of skin caused by sun exposure). UVA radiation is a longer wavelength radiation and penetrates our skin deeper, which causes the breakdown of collagen (what gives our skin its structure and resilience) in our dermis (second layer of the skin).  

Sunscreen products

This can lead to premature ageing characterised by hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and so on. Tanning is also mainly caused by UVA. Both UVA and UVB negatively impact the body’s immune system. It’s also possible for the skin on your eyes to burn, causing inflammation andcataracts (the latter in the long run), which is a major source of blindness globally. Most notably, both UVA and UVB have been implicated in skin cancer (UVR, including UVA and UVB, is a recognised carcinogen).

Sun Damage Can Be Worse than You Think

No amount of serum or anti-ageing product changes the fact that sun damage is cumulative. That means your skin does not ‘forget’ the number of times you forget to apply sunscreen. If it did, then we would not age. In fact, the main cause of extrinsic ageing (which is ageing caused by diet, lifestyle choices, and the environment) is exposure to UV radiation.

Some estimates attribute visible ageing by UV radiation to as much as 90%. Unfortunately, by the time we are adults, we will have experienced the bulk of sun exposure. Based on a 78-year lifespan, the Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that by the time we are 18, we will have experienced 23% of sun exposure – and this rapidly increases to close to 50% by the age of 40.

Where Does Sunscreen Fit In?

Sunscreen products can be effective in preventing sunburn. Scientific findings also suggest that they can prevent the damage linked to photoageing and protect against induced photo-immunosuppression (suppression of adaptive immune responses caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation). Therefore, it’s really important that sunscreens contain filters that protect against both UVB and UVA radiation.

Why Should You Wear Sunscreen Every Single Day?

The temperature in our environment changes by season. In Dubai, the temperature can even go well below 10ºC in the winter. But temperature is not related to UV radiation. The factors that affect UV radiation (and therefore photo-damage) are geography, altitude, time of year, day and weather conditions, and reflection.

Weather conditions refer to cloud cover – while it may be hazy due to sandstorms during the summer months in Dubai, that’s certainly not the case in winter. The skies are clear, and that means there are no blockers for UV radiation. Similarly, surfaces such as snow, sand, water, and grass reflect UVR, which can hit us if we are not wearing adequate sun protection. If you like to go trekking during the winter, keep in mind that the higher the altitude, the greater the UVR exposure as the atmosphere is much thinner there.

Do I Need to Wear Sunscreen If I’m Not Caucasian?

There is no such thing as totally UV-resistant human skin. All people of all skin tones stand to benefit from sunscreen. As an Indian who’s concerned with the vanity aspect of sunscreen and how it delays photoageing– which not only includes wrinkles and fine lines, but also uneven skin tone and pigmentation – sunscreen is a really cheap and effective method to preserve the existing health and age of your skin. So, using it even if you are Asian might be the smartest skin investment that you make.

But Does It Matter If You Spend All Your Time Indoors?

Remember that UVA radiation is the enemy here and, unlike UVB (which cannot penetrate glass), UVA (which causes premature ageing) can penetrate glass – irrespective of whether it’s a car, a train, or an office window.

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The Skincare Routine for Oily & Acne Prone Skin

Create More Sebum

The Basics

It’s natural to follow a morning skin care routine in this era of information, influencers, famous dermatologists, and techniques, tools and products being launched in the market everyday. With skincare routines that we should follow every morning (and night), we’ve really got to figure out what skin we are catering to.

Having oily skin and being satisfied with our early morning routine can be a challenge. Managing oily skin requires a consistent skincare routine that focuses on balancing sebum production and maintaining a healthy complexion. Start by cleansing your face twice a day with a gel-based or foam cleanser to remove excess oil and impurities. Incorporate a toner containing ingredients like salicylic acid or witch hazel to help control oil and minimize pores. Apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated without adding extra shine. Use a clay mask once or twice a week to absorb excess oil and unclog pores. Apply an oil-free sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

How Do I Know if I Have Oily Skin?

If you’ve been wondering what your skin type is, here’s a quick checklist: dry skin produces too little oil, normal skin has a good balance of oil, while oily skin produces an oversupply of natural oils. No wonder dirt and bacteria can get trapped in the skin, resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, which are among the most common characteristics of oily skin!

The signs and symptoms of oily skin are very simple to identify. You will see a shine (not to be confused with a glow) on your skin that is very oily to the touch. You’ll tend to notice open or clogged pores, concentrated in the oilier areas of the face. There will be those dreaded whiteheads and blackheads popping out from time to time. And then of course there are the regular breakouts – a huge symptom of oily skin. On a serious note, some women also have a tendency to get pimples on the chest and back. Dull-looking skin especially during that time of the month is quite usual.

Step-By-Step Routine for Oily Skin

We have scouted for a lot of information and our endeavour is to simplify this process to the T (zone)!

Step 1: Cleanser – Get yourself a gentle cleaner. Possibly, one from your dermatologist or at least a dermatologist recommended one off the shelf. We would recommend that you try out a cleanser that’s formulated with ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil, which help to control oil production and unclog pores.

Step 2: Toner – For oily skin, this is an important step. The idea is to gently remove any residue post the cleanser. It’s a subtle message to your skin that it’s time to balance the pH levels. Since the skin is an intelligent organ, it will understand the command of a good toner and will start the process of refining the appearance of your pores. We suggest the use of alcohol-free toners with ingredients like witch hazel or niacinamide.

Step 3: Moisturiser – Counterintuitive, but integral. Women with oily skin shouldn’t skip a moisturiser. The key is to go with a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. Your skin essentially requires adequate hydration. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid or gel-based formulas to keep your skin moisturized without adding extra shine. Dubai is famous for world-class dermatology and treatments, so getting a lab-tested doctor-recommended hyaluronic acid formula is pretty easy in the region.  

Step 4: SPF – Did you know that you need more SPF if you travel by air frequently?! Well, it’s true. Oily skin needs to be protected from harmful UV rays and this can be done simply by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or 50. Choose oil-free or mattifying formulas to avoid adding excess shine to your skin. Remember to reapply throughout the day if needed. And don’t forget to put it in your carry-on for those flights!

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Lessen Your Stress

Keep in mind that oily skin requires just as much care as any other skin type. While you have to find a variety of products and develop your own morning and evening skincare routine, it’s important to remember what to avoid.

Heavy and greasy products, over-cleansing, harsh cleansers that dry out your skin, and excessive exfoliation at the salon while getting your nails done is a bad idea. The worst thing you can do is touch your face constantly. That’s a BIG no-no! Lastly, don’t forget to incorporate a good diet, lessen your stress, hydrate your skin and sleep well!

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