Winter Vacations are a blast! Whether you are taking an active one, skiing or snowboarding on the slopes, or just hanging out in a cute little log cabin or chalet, there´s something about the winter and snow that just makes life seem simple again. But, winter vacations can cause a lot of skin problems, thanks to reflected sunlight, harsh winds and dry air, so make sure you look after your skin while relaxing. There´s no point in coming back from a ski trip with a sunburn!

One of the most important products for protecting your skin is sunscreen. Many people figure that winter sunlight isn´t a big deal, since it is far weaker than mid-summer. However, that doesn´t mean you can´t be burned. In fact, the sunlight reflects very well off the bright snow crystals and that glare that hurts your eyes is also damaging to your skin! Also, if you are heading for the mountains, keep in mind that UV rays penetrate the thinner atmosphere at higher altitudes very well. A good is a must and if at all possible, you will want to go with organic sunscreen.

Why use organic before hitting the slopes? Well, regular sunscreens tend to have a lot of things in them that you probably don´t want on your skin, particularly under harsh conditions where it is already difficult for your skin to stay healthy. Benzoylbenzene, a common ingredient used in sunscreens, has been linked to allergic reactions in many people and other ingredients and chemicals could actually be very harmful to everyone who uses them, even those who don´t suffer from allergies.

Everyone knows by now that skin cancer is most common in those who have sun-damaged skin, which is one of the main reasons that we use sunscreen. However, some sunscreens actually contain ingredients that may cause cancer! Some synthetic compounds used to create these creams are actually quite dangerous, something that has only recently come to light. Otylmethoxycinnamate, benzophenone 3, and octocrylene are three chemicals that are often used in sunscreens as UV filters. They slowly seep into the lower layers of the skin, leaving top layers exposed to the sunlight and even react with the UV rays to create reactive oxygen species, a compound that is very harmful to the skin and can promote skin cancers like melanoma. This is a particularly good reason to opt for organic instead of regular ones.

Using an organic sunscreen, particularly during the winter, when sunlight can be especially damaging thanks to being reflected and intensified by snow, is a far better option. The natural ingredients contained in these sunscreens are far safer and because they are organic, don´t contain those nasty chemicals that could end up causing you to pay huge medical bills and deal with skin cancer.

Organic is also formulated to be kind to sensitive skin, making it the ideal option for babies and children, as well as anyone who has sensitive skin that can´t handle the harsher ingredients in regular sunscreens. For your winter vacation, even if you don´t usually have sensitive skin, it´s a good idea to treat your face gently. The dryness and chapping caused by wind and snow combined with sunlight makes even the hardiest of skin more sensitive. Organic will ensure that no extra damage is done and will do a better job of protecting you from harmful UV rays.