7 Reasons Dermatologists Say You Need Sun Protection in Winter

Hello winter, hello sun protection. You absolutely need sun protection once temperatures dip. UV rays remain strong year-round, and winter activities like skiing expose you to reflected UV radiation that can be more intense than summer sun. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, clouds block only 20% of UV and higher altitudes increase exposure. Dermatologists recommend UPF 50+ clothing as your first line of defense in cold weather because it provides consistent, reliable protection without reapplication.

The science is clear: ultraviolet radiation doesn't diminish when temperatures drop. In fact, the sun's position in winter can create unique risks that many people overlook.

UVA rays—the type responsible for premature aging, wrinkles and dark spots—remain constant throughout the year, penetrating clouds and glass with equal intensity in January as in July. These rays reach deep into your dermis, breaking down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and youthful.

UVB rays, while slightly less intense in winter months due to the sun's angle, are still present and capable of causing sunburn and DNA damage that leads to skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that UV exposure is cumulative—every unprotected minute outdoors adds to your lifetime risk.

What makes winter particularly deceptive is that cold air tricks you into thinking you're safe. You don't feel the heat on your skin, so you don't associate outdoor activities with sun exposure. Meanwhile, reflective surfaces amplify UV intensity in ways that rarely occur in summer. Snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes, and high-altitude ski slopes can actually expose you to more UV radiation than a summer beach day.

Many people who are diligent about SPF in summer get a bit too relaxed about protection in the winter.  Dermatologists emphasize that consistent, year-round protection is what separates those who maintain healthy, youthful skin from those who show premature signs of aging.

Let's examine the seven specific reasons why your sun protection routine should never go into hibernation....

If you've ever returned from a ski trip with an unexpected sunburn (or "goggle tan"), you've experienced this phenomenon firsthand. Snow is one of the most reflective natural surfaces on Earth, bouncing back 80% of UV radiation compared to sand's 15-25% and water's 10%.

This means when you're on the slopes, hiking through snow-covered trails or even walking your dog after a fresh snowfall, you're being hit by UV rays from above and below. Your face, neck and any exposed skin receive double exposure—direct rays from the sun plus reflected rays from the ground.

The JOJU solution: Long-sleeve sun shirts can be layered seamlessly under ski jackets or worn alone during milder winter hikes. Unlike sunscreen that needs reapplication every two hours (and often gets forgotten in cold weather), JOJU provides consistent, reliable protection that moves with you.

Gray, overcast November days give a false sense of security. Thick clouds might filter visible light (making everything look dim), but they allow 80% of UV rays to pass through. This is why dermatologists see patients who develop sun damage despite "never tanning" or "always staying out of direct sun." If you're outdoors on a cloudy winter day, you're accumulating UV exposure. Whether you're walking the dog, running errands or watching a soccer game. 

The danger compounds over time. Studies show that incidental sun exposure (the kind you get during daily activities, not intentional sunbathing) accounts for up to 80% of lifetime UV exposure for most adults.

The JOJU solution: A lightweight UPF 50+ base layer under your blazer or a sun-protective shell for morning walks and afternoon errands.

One of summer's built-in warning systems—the sensation of heat on your skin—disappears in winter. You simply don't feel like you're getting sun exposure when it's 40°F outside, even if UV levels are significant. 

This sensory disconnect leads to extended periods outdoors without protection. A three-hour winter hike, a full day on the ski slopes, or an afternoon of holiday shopping in a sunny (but cold) downtown—none of these feel like "sun exposure" because you're not hot.

But your skin cells don't care about temperature. They're processing UV damage the same way they would in July, triggering inflammatory responses, DNA mutations and the breakdown of supportive skin structures.

The JOJU solution: Reach for UPF clothing the same instinctive way you reach for a jacket. JOJU's Italian performance fabric is designed for layering—breathable enough that you won't overheat, substantial enough to provide warmth and coverage.

Planning a ski trip to Colorado? A winter hike in the mountains? UV radiation increases approximately 8-10% for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. At 10,000 feet—a common altitude for many ski resorts—you're exposed to nearly double the UV intensity you'd experience at sea level.

The reason is atmospheric: at higher elevations, there's less atmosphere to filter UV rays before they reach your skin. The protective ozone layer that absorbs much of the sun's harmful radiation is thinner, and pollutants that scatter UV light are less concentrated.

This elevation effect combines with snow reflection to create an exponentially higher risk environment. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that skiers and snowboarders face UV exposure levels comparable to tropical beach destinations—yet far fewer take protective measures.

The JOJU solution: Bring JOJU on your next ski or hiking trip. Our versatile pieces transition seamlessly from base layer to standalone outer layer. The technical fabric wicks moisture while providing UPF 50+ protection, so you stay comfortable and protected from first chair to après-ski.

Every unprotected moment outdoors adds to your skin's "UV bank account." The damage accumulates silently over decades, manifesting years later as:

• Deep wrinkles and loss of elasticity (photoaging from UVA rays)
• Age spots and uneven pigmentation (melanin overproduction in response to UV)
• Rough, leathery texture (breakdown of collagen and elastin)
• Skin cancer risk (DNA mutations that can become malignant)

Research from the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) shows that 90% of visible skin aging is caused by sun exposure, not genetics or natural aging processes. The wrinkles you see at 55 are largely determined by the sun protection choices you made at 25, 35 and 45. Winter represents roughly 25% of the year—that's a significant portion of lifetime UV exposure to leave unprotected. 

The JOJU solution: Use JOJU sun shirts to build sun protection into your daily wardrobe. Unlike sunscreen that requires conscious daily application (and reapplication), UPF clothing becomes part of your routine.

If your winter routine includes commuting, running errands or road trips, you're getting UV exposure through your car windows. UVA rays (the aging rays) pass through glass, meaning that 20-minute drive to work or hour-long trip to the ski lodge is silently accumulating on your skin.

This is why dermatologists often see asymmetric sun damage—more wrinkles, age spots, and skin changes on the left side of the face (the driver's side in the US) compared to the right. In winter, when you're bundled up and thinking about warmth rather than sun, this through-glass exposure is easy to overlook. But if you're someone who drives 30 minutes each way to work five days a week, that's 260 hours of UV exposure annually—equivalent to spending 32 full eight-hour days in direct sun.

The JOJU solution: A long-sleeve sun shirt or elegant wrap becomes your daily commute uniform. Throw it on before you grab your keys.

November through March is peak season for escaping cold weather. While you're mentally preparing for vacation, your skin is about to experience a dramatic increase in UV exposure—often without the gradual adaptation that happens during summer months.

Going from minimal outdoor time in winter to 6-8 hours of beach exposure daily creates a shock to your system. Your skin has lower melanin production after months of limited sun, making you more vulnerable to burning and damage. The proximity to the equator means more direct, intense UV rays. And vacation mode often means less diligence about reapplying sunscreen.

The solution isn't to avoid winter travel—it's to pack smarter. Sun-protective clothing should be the foundation of your vacation wardrobe, with sunscreen as a supplement for areas that can't be covered.

The JOJU solution: JOJU's sun shirts are lightweight enough for tropical heat, stylish enough for resort dining and packable enough that they don't consume precious suitcase space. From tennis courts to beachside lunch to evening strolls, you stay protected and polished. Our Italian fabric dries quickly, so you can wear it in the water, rinse it out, and have it ready for the next day.

Understanding why you need year-round sun protection is one thing. Actually maintaining it is another—especially when winter routines make sunscreen application feel like one more thing to remember, and cold weather demands multiple layers that can make coverage complicated. This is where UPF 50+ clothing fundamentally changes the game.

• No reapplication required. Unlike sunscreen that breaks down with sweat, water and time, JOJU's lab-certified UPF 50+ fabric provides consistent protection that lasts all day. Put it on in the morning, and you're covered—whether you're outside for 20 minutes or 8 hours.
• Seamless layering. JOJU's Italian performance fabric is designed specifically for temperature regulation. Breathable enough that you won't overheat when you duck into a heated building, substantial enough to provide warmth during outdoor activities. Layer it under a blazer for a client lunch, under ski gear for the slopes, or wear it solo for milder winter days.
• Elevated style. Sun protection doesn't mean sacrificing aesthetics. JOJU pieces are designed with clean lines, flattering cuts, and a sophisticated color palette that integrates seamlessly into your existing wardrobe. This isn't "activewear"—it's elegant essentials that happen to provide medical-grade sun protection.
• Designed for real life. Tennis courts. Travel. Morning walks. Errands. JOJU understands that life doesn't pause for outfit changes. Our pieces transition effortlessly from one activity to the next, so you're protected and put-together whether you're on the court, on a plane, or meeting friends for brunch.

Winter sun protection is about building UPF into the foundation of your wardrobe so it becomes automatic. When getting dressed means you're already protected, consistency is inevitable.

The wellness-conscious approach to skin health isn't about perfection—it's about consistency. And consistency becomes effortless when sun protection is built into your wardrobe rather than added as an afterthought.

This winter, whether you're hitting the slopes in Park City, escaping to Turks and Caicos, or simply navigating your daily routine in colder weather, make UPF 50+ clothing your foundation. Layer it, style it, live in it—and let your future self thank you for the investment.

Your skin doesn't distinguish between seasons. Your protection shouldn't either.