Sun protection may not be the first thing on your mind once the thermometer drops, but shielding your skin from UV during the coldest months will pay dividends year-round. Read on for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s guide to great winter skin.

When it’s Windy…

A moisturizing sunscreen can treat dry, chapped skin while it protects against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at NYU School of Medicine and a dermatologist in private practice, recommends “avoiding any preparations with alcohol, because they may be too drying.” And since wind can thin sunscreen, be sure to reapply one ounce, or two tablespoons, of sunscreen to all exposed areas every two hours.

When it’s Cold…

Hats with 3-inch brims shade your head, face, and neck. A good portion — possibly more than half — of the heat generated by your body is lost from your head, meaning that a broad-brimmed hat is not only sun-safe and fashionable, but it keeps you warm, too! Be aware that if you wear a knit cap, you’ll only protect the top of your head and your ears.

When it’s Cloudy…

Up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV radiation can penetrate clouds, so don’t neglect sun protection even on overcast days.

And When it’s Sunny: a Winter Break Warning

If winter has you planning a getaway to warmer climes, don’t be fooled into thinking that your best preparation is a so-called “base tan.” A tan is a sign that sun damage has already occurred. Trying to protect your skin from burning by subjecting it to damage from cancer-causing UV tanning lamps is simply self-defeating. Wear sun-protective clothing and slather on sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher for a sunny and safe winter break.

If you still think it’s not a vacation without a tan, go for the glow with non-UV self tanning products. Since self tanners do not provide UV protection, be sure you also use sunscreen.

When on Vacation…

Intermittent, intense sun exposure — the kind you get when you shed your winter coat for a swimsuit on vacations without using adequate sun protection — puts you at higher risk for developing both melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer. Beach holidays also present another threat: Sand and water reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s radiation, adding to the intensity of exposure.

Finally, it’s not just tropical trips that are dangerous — snow and ice reflect the sun’s radiation, too, adding to your exposure. And for every 1,000 feet of altitude, you’re exposed to an extra 8–10 percent of UV radiation. If your trip is a winter sports’ lover’s dream, wear wraparound sunglasses (the kind that shade a lot of skin next to your eyes) with UV protection to fight glare, and save both your eyes and skin.

For more information on keeping your skin protected throughout the year, check out our Prevention Guidelines.