Do you need sunscreen for winter in Australia?

Yes, sunscreen is important in winter in Australia.

Even though the sun's UV rays are weaker in winter than in summer, they can still damage your skin. This is because the UV index can still reach high levels, especially in the middle of the day and at higher altitudes. In fact, UV radiation can be just as high in winter as it is in summer, especially in Australia where the ozone layer is particularly thin.

You still need to take precautions and cover up as your exposed skin can still get damaged without the necessary level of sun protection, particularly on sunny days or if you spend a lot of time outdoors (for winter sports as an example).

Therefore, it's still essential to wear sunscreen throughout the year to protect your skin from these harmful effects, just as you would during summer:

- Seek the shade at peak UV times – the hours around midday;

- wear a shirt, sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat (even on cooler days;

- use SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen; and

- reapply sunscreen every two hours.