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6 Reasons You Shouldn't Skip Your Morning SPF (We Know You Do)

From protecting you from skin cancer to fending off wrinkles, SPF is a morning skin care must

by Christina Heiser | COMMENT

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You Need Protection, Even When It's Not Sunny Outside You might think sunscreen is only necessary at the height of summer when you've got plans to lounge outside by the pool, but the sun's UV rays are always present. Even on cold and cloudy days, UV rays from the sun can damage your skin. "UV rays are present year-round and of equal intensity during the daytime throughout the year, including winter," says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and member of the Women's Dermatologic Society. "They can even penetrate clouds and glass."

Melanie Palm, MD, a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in San Diego, adds that cloudy days still allow for about 80 percent of the UV exposure as a sunny day. "UVB rays are blocked by windows, but the longer wavelengths of UVA that lead to skin aging, sunburn and melanoma can still be transmitted through glass," she says. So if you drive during the day or sit near a window at work, you're going to want to slather on the SPF before you head out for the day.

Image via Tony Anderson/Getty

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