8 Tips to Protect your Skin from the Australian Sun in Winter

According to research, UV rays are the main course of skin cancer and aging. Contrary to popular belief, these harmful effects of the sun can still affect you long after the scorching summer is gone. The harmful rays are still present despite the temperature drop that occurs during winter. That said, there is every reason to visit the land down under during winter. Australia is one of the best winter sun holidays if not the best. The weather is still great and we would like you to enjoy it without compromising your skin health. If you have doubts about your health, do not hesitate to contact Medicare. 

Sunscreen

It should go without saying that applying sunscreen before heading out into sunlight is a must. And it is not just the face. Make sure you apply a generous amount of sunscreen to your entire face, chest and shoulders. Do the same for any other body parts that will be exposed to sunlight.

Tinted windows

To avoid UV rays reaching you in your car, get the windows tinted. The clear car windows do very little in filtering the skin damaging rays. If you are worried about the tint being too dark, there is a special tint that filters up to 95% of the UV rays while not being too dark. It is the same tint fitted on military jets and is available in certain retail outlets.

Sun protective clothes

This might sound like walking outside in heavy gear but that is not what it is. When staying outdoors for extended periods of time, it is wise to wear sun protective shirts or jackets. The average shirt only offers 5 to 9 SPF while a sun protective shirt has an SPF of up to 58. If you are concerned about your skin this is the way to go.

Mineral powder

There has been a lot of emphasis that we should apply sunblock every 2 hours. This might sound impractical especially when you are wearing full make up. The good news is that there is a wide range of mineral powders with an inbuilt natural sunblock. Have it in your handbag and you can dust it on your face every now and then while watching the whales.

Indoor protection

Most people believe that they are only exposed to sunlight when they are outdoors. While you don’t have to turn your house or hotel room into a dark cave, a little protection would go a long way. If you like waking to sunlight streaming through your windows, ensure that you are wearing sunscreen even while in the house.

Dry skin

If not treated properly, dry skin might get drier and cracked during winter. If your skin is dry, use a cream-based sunscreen to protect and nurture it. You should also make sure that the cream has an adequate Sun Protection Factor.

Sensitive skin

There are those of us whose skin is more sensitive than most. To avoid negative reactions and allergies, stick to medicated sunscreens that don’t contain harsh chemicals. Fragrance free creams will prove to be better while you enjoy the wintery sun.

Oily skin

For these lucky few, winter is not so harsh since their skin tends to behave like normal skin. That does not mean that oily skin should not be treated with care. A water-based sunscreen, preferably lotion will offer adequate sun protection. It will also keep the skin hydrated.

Most of the sun damage occurs when we think we aren’t exposed but actually are. Australia’s winter weather is excellent for a lot of activities. Enjoy the road trips, sports, festivals and much more while ensuring that your skin remains healthy and youthful.