Why You Still Need Sunscreen in the Cooler Months

Summer is finally starting to wind down and we’re all ready for a break from the heat. Here in Tulsa, we’ve had plenty of 100-degree days, and I’m looking forward to cooler temperatures, cozy sweaters, and all the pumpkin-flavored treats.

As we start trading our summer staples for fall favorites, you may start changing up your skincare routine, but don’t forget to include your sunscreen. Cooler temperatures don’t mean your skin is getting a break from UV exposure, so let’s talk about why applying sunscreen still matters, even when the temperatures start to drop.

UV Rays Don’t Disappear When the Temperature Drops

It’s easy to associate sun exposure with hot, summer days, but UV rays are present year-round. The amount of UV exposure you get varies depending on the season, time of day, and where you live, but temperature isn’t a good indicator of how much UV exposure is reaching your skin.

Even when most of your body is covered up to keep you warm, your face is still exposed when you walk to your car, run errands, or sit by a window to work from home. UVA rays can also pass through glass, contributing to premature skin aging even when you’re spending most of your days indoors.

Cloudy Days Still Count

We tend to think that if the sun isn’t shining, there’s no need for sunscreen. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Although clouds can block some UV radiation, they can’t block it all. You may not feel the warmth of the sun or even see much of it, but UV exposure still happens on cloudy days.

That’s why I recommend treating sunscreen as a non-negotiable part of your morning routine. Once it becomes a habit, you don’t have to think twice about whether you need it that day. I also keep an extra sunscreen in my purse just in case I ever leave my house in a hurry so I can apply it on the go.

What About Makeup With SPF?

We’ve all been tempted by a foundation or tinted moisturizer with SPF in it, thinking that it’s one less step for our routine. While these products can provide an added layer of protection, I wouldn’t rely on them as your only source of SPF.

Most of us don’t actually use enough makeup in one application to get the full level of SPF protection listed on the product label. The SPF listed on makeup products is based on applying a specific amount during testing, and most people aren’t applying their foundation or tinted moisturizer at a level that would provide that same protection. So while makeup with SPF can absolutely be a nice bonus, it shouldn’t replace your dedicated sunscreen.

Find an SPF You Actually Enjoy Using

I ask all of my clients if they’re in the habit of using a daily sunscreen, and the most common reason for those who don’t is because they can’t find one that they like. If you don’t like the way a skincare product feels, looks, or wears under makeup, it’s so much easier to justify skipping it. It may take a little trial and error to find one that works well for you, but once you find one you love, you’ll look forward to applying it each day.

Need a recommendation? My personal favorite is Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 Moisturizer by Dermalogica. It’s a daily moisturizer that hydrates, firms, and protects the skin with broad-spectrum SPF 50, which makes it perfect since it’s just one step after cleansing. It sits beautifully under makeup and leaves my skin with a healthy glow when I wear it on its own, without any trace of a white cast. I carry it in my studio if you’d like to try a sample or pick one up for yourself.

Keep SPF in Your Routine Year-Round

Cooler weather may change how your skin feels, but it doesn’t change the need for daily sun protection. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is the easiest step you can take each morning to help protect your skin from premature aging and other effects of UV exposure.

The seasons may change, and Oklahoma weather may be unpredictable, but protecting your skin from UV exposure should always remain a daily habit. Keep SPF in your routine year-round, and your future skin will thank you.