Nowadays, it seems absurd and unthinkable to go to the beach without carrying sunscreen with us.. We've read how harmful sun rays are, we've literally felt it on our skin, and it never even crosses our mind to lie on the sand under the sun between 2 and 4 p.m. without covering ourselves from head to toe with cream.
So why is it that the moment we return to the city, we forget these rules? We rush through tasks without protecting our skin – or at least the skin on our face? Or maybe you're not one of those women and you carry sunscreen in your bag from the moment spring arrives until the last days of autumn, but then we ask – what do we do in winter?
And before you think we're testing you, we admit – we actually want to emphasize the skin's need for protection from harmful solar radiation year-round. Because even if it's invisible and imperceptible, it is active even in the winter months and, yes – even when it's gloomy outside.
Most of you know that to avoid damage, we need to apply sunscreen before sun exposure to prevent harmful solar radiation from penetrating the skin. But before we talk about that, let's briefly explain what types of sun rays reach us and why, besides being vital, they are also dangerous.
How does sunlight affect the skin?
Sunlight is key for us, and this is written in every biology textbook. The world around us would not be the same (and it would not exist at all), if the Sun did not exist, but it also brings some harm. Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation (type of electromagnetic energy)which consists of different types of rays. Most of those we have all heard of are UVA and UVB rays that affect the skin in a different way. There is also a third type – UVC, which have the shortest wavelength, but we will not discuss them in this text, as they do not reach us and are filtered by the atmosphere.
What are UVA rays?
UVA the rays affect the deeply located cells in the skin and lead to long-term negative consequences. They are the main cause of premature aging (also called photoaging), wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, and their source is both the Sun and tanning beds. They make up about 95% of the sun rays reaching the earth's surface. (and consequently us) and penetrate more easily and quickly into the skin, damaging its DNA. They can pass through both glass and clouds. UVA rays are responsible for the formation of free radicals in the skin and consequently cause oxidative stress, which breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin, causing it to lose its plumpness and youthful freshness.
Most sun allergies are caused precisely by these rays.
What are UVB rays?
UVB the rays affect the top layer of the skin, leading to tanning, but with a delayed effect (that is, the tan we get after a few days), and, alas, are responsible for skin cancer and its premature aging. UVB the rays represent about 5% of the sun's rays reaching the earth's surface, as they do not pass through glass and are largely absorbed/filtered by clouds. UVB rays are responsible for the appearance of moles and some other formations on the skin called actinic keratoses.
Still, let us highlight something positive about them – thanks to UVB rays, the important vitamin D is synthesized in our body.
What are UVC rays?
For UVC the rays we agreed have no effect on us because they do not reach the earth's surface, but still, at least for general knowledge, we will mention that their sources (man-made) are special bactericidal devices and various types of mercury lamps. It is important to know that this type of rays can cause severe damage to the eyes and skin.
When and where is solar radiation strongest and most harmful?
As we have known since childhood, when our parents carefully watched over us at the beach and we had to stay almost punished under the umbrella, the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially in spring and summer. The reason is that during this time of year the sun is high, and the intensity of UV the rays is increased. Of course, this does not mean that in autumn and winter they do not affect us. At high places, such as mountains, as well as near the equator, UV the rays are also very strong, as the angle at which they fall and the distance between the Sun and the surface is less. Reflection on different surfaces also increases the effect of the rays, which is why we burn and tan on ski slopes or in water.
What protects us from the sun's rays?
Nature has devised several ways to protect us so that we don't burn the moment the Sun rises in the morning. First is the ozone layer, which provides protection from UV the rays – which is why it is so important to protect it and not allow it to thin. Clouds are another good filter for the sun's rays, but there are some conditions – darker and heavier clouds filter more UV rays from the thin and high clouds.
And besides the natural protections of Mother Earth, humans have created special chemical and physical filters to protect themselves from burning, aging, and cancerous changes on the skin.
What to choose?
As in the warm months of the year, in autumn and winter the skin protection is the same – through sunscreens. Choose products that offer broad-spectrum protection (that is, against UVA and UVB rays), as well as those with a higher factor. Combined creams contain physical and chemical sun protection filters that maximally protect the skin from the effects of ultraviolet rays.
Melabel Sun SPF 50+ facial sunscreen cream
biotrade offers an ideal solution for fair and sensitive skin that needs to be well protected even in winter, as well as a measure against pigmentation during pregnancy, chemical peeling, and other laser procedures.
Melabel Sun SPF 50+ is a light and moisturizing cream for the skin of the face and décolleté, providing very high broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays (SPF 50+). It reduces the risk of skin aging and the appearance of precancerous and cancerous skin formations.
It contains the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, zinc (with strong anti-inflammatory and protective action), as well as 2 physical and 3 chemical sun protection filters.
The cream is suitable for all skin types – it mattifies, absorbs quickly, and does not leave greasy traces.
And finally – should we protect our skin year-round?
Yes, yes, and yes, and if we haven't made ourselves clear enough – yes again! Even if it is January and you don't see much sun in the city, you already know that it passes through the clouds. (unless storm clouds are looming, but that is rare). Even if you don't feel that burning and painful sensation from the hot summer sun, it is in your favor to protect your skin during winter as well, especially if you know you will spend a long time outside.
If you are outdoors and at high altitude, apply cream every two hours, also if you are sweating. (for example while skiing). If you want to protect parts of your body, you can get sun-protective clothing, which many brands now offer, and also wear a hat and sunglasses.
And remember, although the Sun gives life, it is also capable of taking it away, especially from the skin, and its long-term health is solely in our own hands.
Do we need sunscreen in winter?
Nowadays, it seems absurd and unthinkable to go to the beach without carrying sunscreen with us.. We've read how harmful sun rays are, we've literally felt it on our skin, and it never even crosses our mind to lie on the sand under the sun between 2 and 4 p.m. without covering ourselves from head to toe with cream.
So why is it that the moment we return to the city, we forget these rules? We rush through tasks without protecting our skin – or at least the skin on our face? Or maybe you're not one of those women and you carry sunscreen in your bag from the moment spring arrives until the last days of autumn, but then we ask – what do we do in winter?
And before you think we're testing you, we admit – we actually want to emphasize the skin's need for protection from harmful solar radiation year-round. Because even if it's invisible and imperceptible, it is active even in the winter months and, yes – even when it's gloomy outside.
Most of you know that to avoid damage, we need to apply sunscreen before sun exposure to prevent harmful solar radiation from penetrating the skin. But before we talk about that, let's briefly explain what types of sun rays reach us and why, besides being vital, they are also dangerous.
How does sunlight affect the skin?
Sunlight is key for us, and this is written in every biology textbook. The world around us would not be the same (and it would not exist at all), if the Sun did not exist, but it also brings some harm. Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation (type of electromagnetic energy)which consists of different types of rays. Most of those we have all heard of are UVA and UVB rays that affect the skin in a different way. There is also a third type – UVC, which have the shortest wavelength, but we will not discuss them in this text, as they do not reach us and are filtered by the atmosphere.
What are UVA rays?
UVA the rays affect the deeply located cells in the skin and lead to long-term negative consequences. They are the main cause of premature aging (also called photoaging), wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, and their source is both the Sun and tanning beds. They make up about 95% of the sun rays reaching the earth's surface. (and consequently us) and penetrate more easily and quickly into the skin, damaging its DNA. They can pass through both glass and clouds. UVA rays are responsible for the formation of free radicals in the skin and consequently cause oxidative stress, which breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin, causing it to lose its plumpness and youthful freshness.
Most sun allergies are caused precisely by these rays.
What are UVB rays?
UVB the rays affect the top layer of the skin, leading to tanning, but with a delayed effect (that is, the tan we get after a few days), and, alas, are responsible for skin cancer and its premature aging. UVB the rays represent about 5% of the sun's rays reaching the earth's surface, as they do not pass through glass and are largely absorbed/filtered by clouds. UVB rays are responsible for the appearance of moles and some other formations on the skin called actinic keratoses.
Still, let us highlight something positive about them – thanks to UVB rays, the important vitamin D is synthesized in our body.
What are UVC rays?
For UVC the rays we agreed have no effect on us because they do not reach the earth's surface, but still, at least for general knowledge, we will mention that their sources (man-made) are special bactericidal devices and various types of mercury lamps. It is important to know that this type of rays can cause severe damage to the eyes and skin.
When and where is solar radiation strongest and most harmful?
As we have known since childhood, when our parents carefully watched over us at the beach and we had to stay almost punished under the umbrella, the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially in spring and summer. The reason is that during this time of year the sun is high, and the intensity of UV the rays is increased. Of course, this does not mean that in autumn and winter they do not affect us. At high places, such as mountains, as well as near the equator, UV the rays are also very strong, as the angle at which they fall and the distance between the Sun and the surface is less. Reflection on different surfaces also increases the effect of the rays, which is why we burn and tan on ski slopes or in water.
What protects us from the sun's rays?
Nature has devised several ways to protect us so that we don't burn the moment the Sun rises in the morning. First is the ozone layer, which provides protection from UV the rays – which is why it is so important to protect it and not allow it to thin. Clouds are another good filter for the sun's rays, but there are some conditions – darker and heavier clouds filter more UV rays from the thin and high clouds.
And besides the natural protections of Mother Earth, humans have created special chemical and physical filters to protect themselves from burning, aging, and cancerous changes on the skin.
What to choose?
As in the warm months of the year, in autumn and winter the skin protection is the same – through sunscreens. Choose products that offer broad-spectrum protection (that is, against UVA and UVB rays), as well as those with a higher factor. Combined creams contain physical and chemical sun protection filters that maximally protect the skin from the effects of ultraviolet rays.
Melabel Sun SPF 50+ facial sunscreen cream
biotrade offers an ideal solution for fair and sensitive skin that needs to be well protected even in winter, as well as a measure against pigmentation during pregnancy, chemical peeling, and other laser procedures.
Melabel Sun SPF 50+ is a light and moisturizing cream for the skin of the face and décolleté, providing very high broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays (SPF 50+). It reduces the risk of skin aging and the appearance of precancerous and cancerous skin formations.
It contains the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, zinc (with strong anti-inflammatory and protective action), as well as 2 physical and 3 chemical sun protection filters.
The cream is suitable for all skin types – it mattifies, absorbs quickly, and does not leave greasy traces.
And finally – should we protect our skin year-round?
Yes, yes, and yes, and if we haven't made ourselves clear enough – yes again! Even if it is January and you don't see much sun in the city, you already know that it passes through the clouds. (unless storm clouds are looming, but that is rare). Even if you don't feel that burning and painful sensation from the hot summer sun, it is in your favor to protect your skin during winter as well, especially if you know you will spend a long time outside.
If you are outdoors and at high altitude, apply cream every two hours, also if you are sweating. (for example while skiing). If you want to protect parts of your body, you can get sun-protective clothing, which many brands now offer, and also wear a hat and sunglasses.
And remember, although the Sun gives life, it is also capable of taking it away, especially from the skin, and its long-term health is solely in our own hands.