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Sunscreen in winter? It seems extra in the most literal sense in the word, reserved only for diehard skin-care savants who want to go the extra mile for their skin. And a lot of people believe that they just don’t need it. After all, most of us associate sunscreen with beaches, pools, and tropical getaways—understandably—but that doesn’t mean that the risks of sun exposure (and value of a good sunscreen) disappear when the temperatures drop.
Winter light is still light, says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, Connecticut. “If you’re outdoors and can see your hand in front of your face, there is enough UV exposure to cause skin damage,” she says. And on top of that, she adds, snow can act like a giant reflector, bouncing up to 80% of UVA and UVB rays back onto your skin.
Vogues Favorite Winter Sunscreens:
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On top of that, keep in mind that UV exposure is cumulative over your lifetime, meaning that every bit you get adds up over time and “increases your risk of skin cancer and accelerates the aging process,” says Gloria Lin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
A plausible counterargument could be that you may be spending most of your time indoors when faced with subfreezing temperatures. But that doesn’t mean sunscreen doesn’t offer a benefit. In fact, “visible light and blue light from laptops, phones, and LED bulbs continue to hit the skin,” says Dr. Gohara. “This is particularly important for women of color and those with melasma, because visible light significantly drives pigment production.” And certain sunscreen formulas—namely, tinted ones—deliver added protection against this type of light damage.
It can admittedly feel like overkill to slather sunscreen on before a chilly day requiring gloves, hats, and at least two layers of clothes. But consider it your long-term insurance. While you might not see (and enjoy) the results of sun protection immediately—which makes it easier for people to be less consistent with it—”prevention is better than reactive treatment down the road,” says Lin.
All told, your sunscreen habits shouldn’t change with the seasons. What you might need to rethink, though, is the sunscreen itself—namely, swapping a lightweight or mattifying formula for something more nourishing. For a sunscreen that can keep skin soft, supple, and (most importantly) safe during the winter months, experts recommend these picks.
In This Story
- What type of sunscreen is best for cold weather?
- What to look for in a winter sunscreen
- How We Tested
- Meet the experts
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Restore Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
- Why We Love It: EltaMD has a sterling reputation among dermatologists, editors, and customers alike, in part “because it does not feel or smell like sunscreen,” says Dr. Lin, who recommends it for those with sensitive skin (as its fragrance- and dye-free) and likes that it comes in both clear and tinted sunscreens—each offering broad-spectrum protection. Plus, this non-greasy formula is “hydrating, barrier-supportive, and clinically designed to improve skin texture—perfect for winter dryness,” says Dr. Gohara. She advises warming it between your fingers and pressing it into skin like a serum, which allows it to blend seamlessly into skin.
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid, ginger root extract, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (2.0% titanium dioxide, 15.0% Transparent zinc oxide)
- Type: Tinted lotion
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Best Tinted: Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
- Why We Love It: For those seeking one-and-done protection and coverage, Colorescience Face Shield Flex offers just that, delivering encapsulating pigments that burst as you apply for buildable coverage. “The flexible tint adapts beautifully to different skin tones, and it protects against UV, pollution, blue light, and infrared light,” says Dr. Gohara, who likes to mix a pump with moisturizer for a seamless finish. “It’s a superstar for melasma and hyperpigmentation.” It can be worn alone or beneath foundation, and comes in six shades.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, bisabolol, allantoin
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (12% zinc oxide)
- Type: Tinted lotion
- Size: 1.8 fl. oz.
Best for Touch-Ups: BareMinerals Mineral Veil Brush Set + Protect SPF 25 PA++
- Why We Love It: Reapplication is just as important in the winter as it is during the summer, especially if you’re spending the day skiing or near a sunny window. And for that, Dr. Gohara likes powder formulations, since they “absorb midday oils, wont disrupt makeup, and definitely wont leave you smelling like a piña colada at your desk,” she says. (She also recommends dusting them over your ears, backs of hands, and on the part of your hair.) This one has a retractable brush that makes it ideal for travel or tucking into a bag, and it also helps set makeup—cutting out all the barriers to ensure you’ll always reapply.
- Key Ingredients: Mica, silica, kaolin
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (14% titanium dioxide, 11% zinc oxide)
- Type: Powder
- Size: 0.18 oz.
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Hydrating Face Sunscreen SPF 50
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- Why We Love It: Dr. Lin loves La Roche-Posay for its facial sunscreens, which deliver high-end formulations at a relatively approachable price point. While this particular SPF 50 sunscreen uses chemical filters—allowing it to blend seamlessly—it’s still “lightweight and good for sensitive skin, since it does not contain fragrances and dyes,” she says. And it gets a nourishing lift from a combination of humectants (which draw in water) and emollients (to help seal that into skin).
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical (3% avobenzone, 7% homosolate, 5% octisalate, 7% octocrylene)
- Type: Silky lotion
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best for Very Dry Skin: Supergoop! Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream SPF 40
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- Why We Love It: For one, this hybrid is just as much a moisturizer as it is a sunscreen, delivering moisture ideal for the most parched skin—thanks in part to ceramides which leaves skin feeling instantly nourished. But it also pairs SPF 40 protection with ectoin, an active ingredient that defends skin from environmental aggressors like radiation, pollution, and blue light, further defending skin from the elements. If you’re hoping for something a bit lighter with a more matte finish for oily skin types, Dr. Lin also recommends the brand’s Unseen Sunscreen, which “feels lightweight and can double as a primer, so patients can still be hydrated without that heavy, greasy feeling,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Ectoin, ceramides, algae extract
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical 3% avobenzone, 6% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 1.5% octocrylene)
- Type: Cushiony cream
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best Korean: Laneige Hydro UV Defense Ex Sunscreen SPF 50+
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- Why We Love It: While Laneige may be best known for its beloved (and best-selling) lip mask, it’s not especially surprising that the K-beauty brand makes an excellent sunscreen for similarly dry, chapped skin. The hypoallergenic formula looks and feels like a rich cream (though it doesn’t leave any white cast), and actively nourishes skin with a blend of centella asiatica, mineral water, and glycerin. No wonder it’s one of the best Korean sunscreens.
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, mineral water, glycerin
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical (2.5% avobenzone, 7% homosalate, 4.5% octisalate, 9% octocrylene)
- Type: Velvety cream
- Size: 1.6 fl. oz.
Everything You Need to Know
What type of sunscreen is best for cold weather?
The only shift in your sunscreen in the winter should be in its texture. “Cold air and indoor heating can dry the skin out, so richer, more hydrating formulas tend to feel better,” says Dr. Gohara. Dr. Lin, for her part, recommends reaching for a cream or lotion with SPF as your base layer. Then, you can use a different formula for any touch-ups or reapplications throughout the day. “Powder formats make this painless, makeup-safe, and zero-mess,” says Dr. Gohara, who notes that this can be especially impactful for those dealing with hyperpigmentation.
Speaking of hyperpigmentation, it’s one of the reasons that Dr. Gohara directs patients to mineral SPF in the winter. “Mineral sunscreens often shine in the winter because theyre gentle on dry skin and protect against UV and visible light,” she says. “The visible-light component is key for people with melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.” (Tinted mineral formulas with iron oxides are ideal.)
Also, don’t overlook your other skin-care products as well. “For those with more dry skin, it may be better to use a separate moisturizer and sunscreen in order to provide even more additional hydration instead of using a combination product,” says Dr. Lin.
What to Look For in a Winter Sunscreen
While you can certainly stick with your summertime sunscreen if you like it, there are a few elements worth considering as cold weather sets in. Consider looking for these elements:
- Tint: This is especially important if you struggle with hyperpigmentation. These formulas protect against indoor light sources. “Phone screens, laptops, overhead LEDs—all can trigger melasma and dark spots, especially in skin of color,” says Dr. Gohara. That’s why tinted mineral sunscreens with iron oxides are winter MVPs.
- Strategic Ingredients: While hydrating ingredients, like ceramides, glycerin, and squalane, are always a good idea, Dr. Gohara suggests seeking out iron oxides. Unlike titanium dioxide, these protect against visible light and blue light. As usual, always look for an SPF 30 or higher for year-round coverage.
- Texture: Creamy textures not only feel good on winter skin, but they may be less likely to exacerbate flaky or rough patches on already-dry skin.
- Format: Reapplication is worth the effort. Dr. Gohara recommends looks for formats that make it especially easy—for instance, “lotions for morning, powders for later,” she says. That way, you don’t compromise the hydration early on, nor your all-day defense.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to winter sunscreens, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, SPF level, chemical vs. mineral, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, Connecticut
- Gloria Lin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York
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