Why you should wear sunscreen year round

By Sarina Sutera | HealthWorks Peer Educator 

Did you know, you can develop a sunburn even when the weather is cloudy? You might be wondering why? This is due to ultraviolet (UV) rays passing through clouds. To prevent sunburn, use sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher year-round.  Since UV light can reflect off water, snow, and ice onto your skin there isn’t a season when you would want to go without sunscreen. Additional strategies to protect your skin include wearing clothing that covers your skin, a hat to shade your face, and sunglasses to protect your eyes.  Stay in the shade and avoid the sun when it is the strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m… To check the daily UV index, go to the EPA website.   

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