Sunscreen for Winter Activities

Summer is a fading memory, so it is time to put away the sunscreen until next spring…or is it?

Keep that SPF handy, as researchers recommend the use of sunscreen for your winter activities. In fact, with other environmental conditions to consider like harsh winter winds, very dry conditions, bitter cold, and intensified UV from reflection off snow and ice, it can be even more vital to use sunscreen in the winter than at the beach.

If you are heading to the mountains, sunscreen is a necessity. UV radiation increases by about 2–12% for every 1,000 feet increase in elevation. This is because the atmosphere is thinner at higher altitudes, so it filters out less UV radiation.  Even a few minutes of direct sunlight at high altitudes can damage your skin. UV rays are the primary cause of skin cancer. 

The recommendation is for a mineral sunscreen of SPF 30 or SPF 50, and it should be water resistant as well. Absolutely Natural’s new, extraordinary formulas fit the bill as both of our lotions are 100% mineral (no chemical boosters) and 80-minute water resistant. We also feature an SPF 50 stick that can easily fit in your pocket to make reapplying easy.

One of the greatest features of our new formulas that took our amazing chemist, Claudia Lawson, three years of R&D to develop is that it goes on sheer. Our sunscreens have always been superior but the knock on them was the whitening of the skin. We have solved that issue, and the new formulas are super hydrators as well as excellent sunscreens.

If you slip up and get a sunburn or windburn, Absolutely Natural’s renowned aloes can help. Our Pure Aloe with Tea Tree will help cool the skin while our famous Rosehip Aloe will help keep skin hydrated.  These are tried and true formulas that have been sold in dozens of resorts all over the world for 32 years!

By the way, if winter is tough on your hands or feet with dry, cracked skin, AN whipped butter is fantastic to soften and soothe those problem areas. We sell more butter to the Midwest in winter than we do in any other season of the year.  Last year we produced more than 1,000,000 tubs of our whipped butters.

Best regards,

Charley

UV radiation

UV radiation increases by about 2–12% for every 1,000 feet increase in elevation. This is because the atmosphere is thinner at higher altitudes, so it filters out less UV radiation. 

Skin damage

Even a few minutes of direct sunlight at high altitudes can damage your skin. UV rays are the primary cause of skin cancer. 

Sun protection

It's important to protect yourself from the sun at high altitudes. You should wear sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher with protection against both UVB and UVA rays. You should also reapply sunscreen every two hours. 

If you do get sunburned, you can try these remedies:

• Apply cool, damp compresses to the affected area
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
• Apply aloe vera gel or lotion to the sunburned skin
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Stay out of the sun until the sunburn has healed