Piz Buin®

The PIZ BUIN® pocket guide to sun smart behavior

Follow these tips for gorgeous, well-protected skin

Dehydration is one of the main problems for the skin in winter due to dry air and cold temperatures. It may induce redness, chapping and cracks in the skin and can also worsen premature skin ageing. Use a sun protection cream specially designed for winter, with appropriate protection against UV radiation as well as against dry skin, cold and wind.
Apply a high sun protection factor at the beginning of your holiday; this allows the skin to slowly acclimatise to the intensive solar radiation in the mountains. Sun protection should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before exposing the skin to the sun; this allows the cream to be fully absorbed.
Use a higher sun protection factor in the mountains in winter than in summer; due to the altitude and the snow, the winter sun is stronger than in the valley or on the beach. The suns UV rays increase in intensity by 4% for every 300 metres of altitude. Moreover, up to 80% of UV radiation is reflected by snow and ice.
The nose, forehead, ears and neck are especially sensitive to wind, cold and intense sun and therefore dehydrate and burn more easily. Treat these areas with a suncream containing a more oily base than in summer and/or lipstick with sun protection filters to prevent the skin from burning, drying and chapping. All PIZ BUIN® Mountain Suncare products are generally thicker and more oily than the Summer Suncare ones providing 100% protection.
Lips are particularly sensitive, as they have neither pigment nor a callus to ward off UV rays. PIZ BUIN® Sun Lipsticks offers appropriate protection against intense sunshine, cold and wind and helps prevent lips from burning and chapping.
Use water-resistant products; this also guarantees protection in the rain and snow, as well as during sweat-inducing outdoor activities.
If you want to get a sun-kissed tan without going in the sun, try one of PIZ BUIN® Self Tan products. After just a few hours, your skin has a sleek, bronzed complexion and, even in the colder months, gives you a glowing, healthy appearance.
Even on cloudy days damaging UVA rays can penetrate deep into your skin and provoke the ageing process.
The recommended quantity of sunscreen for a full body application is approximately three tablespoons.
When outdoors for an extended period of time, the European Commission advise to reapply every two hours. This ensures you are getting the best possible protection.
Use sunscreens products, which protect against both UVB (burning) and UVA (ageing) rays. PIZ BUIN® offers both UVA and UVB protection.
Using a daily sun care product helps to preserve your tan and protect against skin ageing.
If you are taking medication, you must check with your doctor or pharmacist that there is no problem with going out in the sun. Some medicines can make skin more sensitive to the suns rays.

Remember! Suncare products are only one measure you should use to enjoy your time in the sun. In addition, you should be sure to follow these rules:

Avoid excessive sun exposure at peak hours, which is usually between 11am and 3pm.
When it is not possible to stay out of the sun, keep yourself well covered.
A broad-brimmed hat and sun glasses give you additional protection.
Ensure babies and young children are not exposed to direct sun.
Even though using a sunscreen, don't stay in the sun for too long.
Excessive sun exposition represents a serious threat to health.

Did you know?

UV rays get stronger as you get closer to the equator. In these regions you’ll need a more powerful sunscreen than that you might typically use.
The intensity of the sun’s rays increases by 13 percent for every 1,000 metres of altitude.
Up to 80 percent of solar radiation can penetrate light cloud cover, for this reason it is important to wear sunscreen even when the sun is not shining.
At its surface, water reflects up to 25 percent of UV rays. So when on the water your body is getting 25 percent more UV exposure than usual. That’s why it is very important to use a water-resistant sunscreen.
The sun’s rays can reach you even under water as UV rays maintain up to 40 percent of their intensity as far as half a metre under the water.