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Experts reveal whether you should wear sunscreen in winter weather

Winter solstice marked by magical sunrise celebrations at Stonehenge

Experts warn that harmful UV rays are present year-round, necessitating sunscreen use even on cloudy winter days.
Many people are unaware they can still get sunburned in winter, despite lower temperatures, as UV radiation is not temperature-dependent. “UV radiation exposure is not related to the outside temperature and is present year-round,” Dr. Konstantinos Chouliaras, a board-certified surgical oncologist at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, explained in a statement.
UV rays cause skin cancer, sunburns, wrinkles, and premature skin aging, with snow and ice reflecting up to 80 per cent of rays, increasing exposure.
Clouds only reduce UV levels by approximately 50 per cent, meaning significant exposure can still occur, with even low UV levels causing sunburn in an hour.
It is recommended to apply water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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