I heard that SPF is necessary year-round, but in winter months it seems unnecessary to me. My nose and cheeks are fine with regular moisturizer. Can someone explain if it's really that critical in winter or if it's just marketing?
UV rays bounce off snow and penetrate even on cloudy days, so your skin does get sun exposure in winter, just weaker than in summer. If you have sensitive skin or spend a lot of time outdoors, SPF makes sense - especially on exposed areas like your nose and cheekbones. But honestly, if you're not spending hours out in the cold and your skin isn't prone to irritation, a moisturizing cream in winter might be enough; this isn't marketing, it just depends on your skin type and lifestyle.
Winter sunscreen or BB cream with SPF isn't just marketing, but you need to use it more smartly than in summer. The main difference is that in winter most people simply go outside less often and spend less time outdoors, so the actual risk is lower. But if you regularly drive (UV penetrates through glass), take walks on sunny days, or live in a snowy region where reflection amplifies the effects, then protection makes sense - just pick a lighter formula than your summer version so you don't overload your skin under winter makeup and warm clothes.
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