As temperatures drop below freezing and inches of snow pile up, winter sun protection is just as essential as your favorite puffer coat and mohair scarf. Sure, the sun isn’t keeping you warm, but you still need to wear sunscreen in winter. Reason being: Its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays continue to threaten your skin’s health, even on the snowiest and cloudiest days. As long as it’s daytime, your skin is susceptible to sun exposure and UV damage, which increases your risk of sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles, skin sagging, and dark spots.
In fact, UV exposure in winter is equally dangerous as it is during the summer, making preventing sun damage in winter necessary. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light, so your risk of harmful sun exposure doubles. And if you're in high altitudes for some skiing or snowboarding, your risk of skin cancer and other harmful UV damage increases even more.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer—and the most preventable. The easiest way to decrease your risk of it while preventing other forms of sun damage during the winter is by wearing sunscreen every day.
Ahead, we’ll share our pick for the best sunscreen for winter, especially dry winter skin, how it will keep your complexion glowing even on the dreariest days, and the best ways to apply your winter sun protection
What is the best sunscreen for winter?
Our favorite winter sunscreen is our Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen, an ultra-lightweight chemical sunscreen that protects and cares for your skin without feeling greasy or uncomfortable. Instead, it leaves skin feeling deeply moisturized with a semi-matte, velvet finish that works wonderfully under makeup. You’re sure to fall in love with its rich, creamy texture reminiscent of our Black Rice Hyaluronic Cream. Personally, I adore how it smells nothing and instantly absorbs into my skin without any stickiness.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the best SPF levels for winter are 30 and up. Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen goes above and beyond with chemical SPF 50+, as well as advanced PA++++ filters, for high, long-lasting, reef-safe UVA and UVB protection. Best of all, this fragrance-free formula is suitable for all skin tones and skin types, even sensitive and oily, acne-prone complexions.
For those unfamiliar with how chemical sunscreens, like Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen, work, it forms an ultra-thin, hydrating, protective film on the skin that absorbs ultraviolet rays and converts them to harmless heat energy—without creating a chalky white cast in the process.
Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen is also infused with an antioxidant-rich black rice oil infusion, which further protects your skin from environmental aggressors that cause premature aging and skin cancer, including dust, pollution, and UV radiation.
You can even consider Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen an additional layer of nourishment for your winter skin-care routine. Our signature black rice infusion also elevates hydration, which is key for when winter’s dry, cold air, harsh winds, and indoor heating is sucking moisture out of your skin. You can also find it in our best-selling Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner, Black Rice Facial Oil, and Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream — all incredible products to add to your winter skin-care routine.
Our fragrance-free sunscreen formula also contains various other skin-caring ingredients to support your skin barrier, decrease dryness, eliminate dullness, and alleviate sensitivity. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid, in particular, weatherproof your skin by helping it attract and lock in moisture while promoting a plumper, smoother complexion. Ceramides also help repair skin, especially if you’re dealing with flakes, roughness, and irritation. On top of those hydration powerhouses, Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen features adenosine and niacinamide to brighten lackluster skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. They are also joined by my favorite ingredient Houttuynia cordata (aka heartleaf) extract to reduce redness, banish breakouts, and soothe itchy, inflamed skin.
With Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA++++ in your winter skin-care routine, your skin is sure to not only be protected from sun damage all winter long but also help get your skin glowing—rain or shine. Expect your friends to think you just got a fancy skin treatment. Your skin will be that radiant and smooth with the addition of this K-beauty sunscreen. Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen is truly the best sunscreen for dry, sensitive winter skin.
Tips for sunscreen application in cold weather
To put it simply, winter sunscreen application is the same as it is during the summer. You may be slathering SPF on from head to toe, but your technique for putting on facial sunscreen doesn't need to change.
Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen should always be the last step of your morning skin-care routine following moisturizer. We recommend applying an ample amount (about the size of a nickel or the length of two fingers) of Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen all over your face from your hairline down to your neck, including your eyelids, ears, and lips. This super-airy formula won’t pill or cake under your base makeup. Rather, it helps your favorite skin tint or foundation apply more smoothly and seamlessly just like your favorite makeup primer does.
Be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two to three hours to maintain effective winter sun protection. Again, if you’re wearing base makeup, Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA++++ is so lightweight, transparent, and fast-absorbing that it’s perfect for reapplication. It will smooth right over your makeup and even add an extra hint of delightful dewiness.
So next time you plan a mountain getaway or take a walk on a snowy day, be sure to put on your coziest hat, fuzziest socks, and your favorite winter sunscreen. Your skin deserves to be as healthy, happy, and protected from UV exposure as possible with this easy winter skin-care routine step.
Why We Are So Obsessed With Winter Sun Protection
As temperatures drop below freezing and inches of snow pile up, winter sun protection is just as essential as your favorite puffer coat and mohair scarf. Sure, the sun isn’t keeping you warm, but you still need to wear sunscreen in winter. Reason being: Its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays continue to threaten your skin’s health, even on the snowiest and cloudiest days. As long as it’s daytime, your skin is susceptible to sun exposure and UV damage, which increases your risk of sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles, skin sagging, and dark spots.
In fact, UV exposure in winter is equally dangerous as it is during the summer, making preventing sun damage in winter necessary. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light, so your risk of harmful sun exposure doubles. And if you're in high altitudes for some skiing or snowboarding, your risk of skin cancer and other harmful UV damage increases even more.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer—and the most preventable. The easiest way to decrease your risk of it while preventing other forms of sun damage during the winter is by wearing sunscreen every day.
Ahead, we’ll share our pick for the best sunscreen for winter, especially dry winter skin, how it will keep your complexion glowing even on the dreariest days, and the best ways to apply your winter sun protection
What is the best sunscreen for winter?
Our favorite winter sunscreen is our Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen, an ultra-lightweight chemical sunscreen that protects and cares for your skin without feeling greasy or uncomfortable. Instead, it leaves skin feeling deeply moisturized with a semi-matte, velvet finish that works wonderfully under makeup. You’re sure to fall in love with its rich, creamy texture reminiscent of our Black Rice Hyaluronic Cream. Personally, I adore how it smells nothing and instantly absorbs into my skin without any stickiness.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the best SPF levels for winter are 30 and up. Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen goes above and beyond with chemical SPF 50+, as well as advanced PA++++ filters, for high, long-lasting, reef-safe UVA and UVB protection. Best of all, this fragrance-free formula is suitable for all skin tones and skin types, even sensitive and oily, acne-prone complexions.
For those unfamiliar with how chemical sunscreens, like Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen, work, it forms an ultra-thin, hydrating, protective film on the skin that absorbs ultraviolet rays and converts them to harmless heat energy—without creating a chalky white cast in the process.
Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen is also infused with an antioxidant-rich black rice oil infusion, which further protects your skin from environmental aggressors that cause premature aging and skin cancer, including dust, pollution, and UV radiation.
You can even consider Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen an additional layer of nourishment for your winter skin-care routine. Our signature black rice infusion also elevates hydration, which is key for when winter’s dry, cold air, harsh winds, and indoor heating is sucking moisture out of your skin. You can also find it in our best-selling Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner, Black Rice Facial Oil, and Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream — all incredible products to add to your winter skin-care routine.
Our fragrance-free sunscreen formula also contains various other skin-caring ingredients to support your skin barrier, decrease dryness, eliminate dullness, and alleviate sensitivity. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid, in particular, weatherproof your skin by helping it attract and lock in moisture while promoting a plumper, smoother complexion. Ceramides also help repair skin, especially if you’re dealing with flakes, roughness, and irritation. On top of those hydration powerhouses, Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen features adenosine and niacinamide to brighten lackluster skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. They are also joined by my favorite ingredient Houttuynia cordata (aka heartleaf) extract to reduce redness, banish breakouts, and soothe itchy, inflamed skin.
With Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA++++ in your winter skin-care routine, your skin is sure to not only be protected from sun damage all winter long but also help get your skin glowing—rain or shine. Expect your friends to think you just got a fancy skin treatment. Your skin will be that radiant and smooth with the addition of this K-beauty sunscreen. Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen is truly the best sunscreen for dry, sensitive winter skin.
Tips for sunscreen application in cold weather
To put it simply, winter sunscreen application is the same as it is during the summer. You may be slathering SPF on from head to toe, but your technique for putting on facial sunscreen doesn't need to change.
Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen should always be the last step of your morning skin-care routine following moisturizer. We recommend applying an ample amount (about the size of a nickel or the length of two fingers) of Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen all over your face from your hairline down to your neck, including your eyelids, ears, and lips. This super-airy formula won’t pill or cake under your base makeup. Rather, it helps your favorite skin tint or foundation apply more smoothly and seamlessly just like your favorite makeup primer does.
Be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two to three hours to maintain effective winter sun protection. Again, if you’re wearing base makeup, Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA++++ is so lightweight, transparent, and fast-absorbing that it’s perfect for reapplication. It will smooth right over your makeup and even add an extra hint of delightful dewiness.
So next time you plan a mountain getaway or take a walk on a snowy day, be sure to put on your coziest hat, fuzziest socks, and your favorite winter sunscreen. Your skin deserves to be as healthy, happy, and protected from UV exposure as possible with this easy winter skin-care routine step.