Text by Alexis Ramlall. Image courtesy of STUNY (Adobe Stock).

Cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours mean we adjust our outdoor activities to shifting seasonal conditions — swapping baseball caps for toques, running shoes for boots, adding layers of clothing. What about protection for our skin, given less sunlight in wintertime?

Applying sunscreen is a must, even in winter, because we’re always exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), whatever the season. According to dermatologist Dr. Renée A. Beach, who’s an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Toronto, sunscreen is vital because it “provides protection against daily UVR, which is present year round.”

UVR is differentiated into two categories, Dr. Beach explains — ultraviolet A (UVA), “a higher wavelength associated with radiation that comes through windshields and windows”; and ultraviolet B (UVB), which “corresponds to the wavelength of sunlight or sunshine, associated with sunburn.”

This means you’re at risk for sun damage in wintertime when you’re outdoors playing your favourite winter sport or road-tripping to visit family for the holidays. Skiers and snowboarders should be especially careful as they are exposed to sunlight at high altitudes for extended periods of time. Snowshoeing and ice-skating also put you at risk for too much sun exposure, warns Dr. Beach, if you venture outdoors without a mask or balaclava or without gloves.

Get your skin-care regimen in sync with winter. When perusing sun-protection products, pay attention to the labelling, Dr. Beach advises. Does the product offer both UVA and UVB protection? Does it specify the sun protective factor (SPF) rating, which, she explains, is “a measure of the amount of UV radiation required before [you get a] sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin versus unprotected skin.”

But don’t get hung up on those SPF numbers. Sure, you can opt for sun protection with the highest SPF rating (say, SPF 50+), but Dr. Beach notes that an SPF of 30 will still block 97 percent of UV emitted by the sun. What’s most important is that you’re protected in every season. “SPF has been marketed as a ‘summer must-have,’ but it’s a daily staple for skin health,” she says.

Your health matters. CAA Members get free, 24/7 on-demand service from Canadian-licensed general practitioners. And — via Maple online health care — can obtain referrals to specialists, including dermatologists. Visit getmaple.ca/caa to learn more.