Live In Our Skinz!

As we transition from Fall to Winter, many people don’t realize that during these next few months of clouds, lower temperatures and possibly snow sun protection is still important. I grew up in Colorado, with hot summers and very cold and snowy winters. During those winter months I would never touch a drop of sun screen. I didn’t think that sun protection in general was very important, unless I was headed to the pool! Now I’ve learned that snow actually is a contributing factor to skin damage. The National Cancer Institute says that “snow reflects the sun like a mirror.” Fresh snow can reflect up to 95% of the sun’s rays.

The sun’s rays are also still coming through the clouds. That seems like a no brain-er, but in my naive days I would think that if it was cloudy then there was no need (again) for sunscreen. So not true! Skin damage is still occurring even if we don’t see or feel a sunburn.

I’m not trying to scare you from enjoying your winter games and sports. There are ways that we benefit from the sun. Being outside for at least 15 minutes a day is important for your body’s vitamin D production. Vitamin D helps to protect against osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer (breast, prostate, colon). Sunlight helps alleviate depression, insomnia, and over-active immune system. My husband always tells me that sunlight makes him energized, which helps your body stay active and healthy. And that reminds me of a lady on that show Wife Swap that said she didn’t need to eat because she stared at the sun for 10 minutes each morning! O.K. Some people enjoy the sun and may take it a little extreme, but the sun does produce happy feelings in us. The sun is just so amazing, but I don’t think I will be starring at it anytime soon and I don’t suggest you do either.

It’s healthy to get outside even in cold weather for at least 15-20 minutes without sunscreen, but if you are outside longer than 20 minutes it’s recommended that you apply sunscreen before you bundle up. Making sure to cover the bridge of the nose and face. That may be the only part of your body that you need to cover in sunscreen because you can wear UV Skinz long-sleeved swim shirts as apart of your winter layers!

Where I live in California, the mornings are gloomy and cold while the afternoon gets sunny. I dress my daughters in cotton pants, a long-sleeved UV Skinz swim shirt, with another short sleeved top over the swim shirt, and maybe a light sweater. That way, as our morning progresses at the park they can strip their layers all the way down to their swim shirt and still be protected with an SPF 50+. Just one less thing that I have to worry about and they can just play (in the sun or shade!).

I feel that I’m becoming a little more sun savvy each day. I guess making up for lost time because skin protection wasn’t important or even discussed with me when I was a child. Now we know that that is when the majority of skin damage occurs, between 0-18 years. So, even though these winter months may be gloomy and cold remember that sun protection is still important. I’m not an expert on skin care, but I am a Mother so that automatically makes me an expert! HA! Well, it’s added to my list of things to learn more about like; the names of the dinosaurs and how to pronounce them, how to cook tofu, how to sew a barbie dress and talk a two-year old out of a tantrum.

My escapades with dinosaurs and two year olds can be seen on my mommy blog, Mommy Lounge. I loved having the chance to experience UV Skinz swim shirts and that experience led me to write this review and now I’m here blogging to you.

I encourage you to add UV Skinz blog to your blogroll and check back to see what else I have to share with you!

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on proper skin protection during the winter or any questions you may have. I would love to hear how your family incorporates UV Skin swim shirts into your fall and winter months!

UV Skinz Bloggin’ Mama,
Kalisha