When the temperature drops and the beach towels are packed away, sun protection is often the last thing on one’s mind. But just because it’s winter doesn’t mean the sun takes a holiday. In New Zealand’s uniquely harsh UV environment, your skin needs protection every day of the year — even when it's cool or cloudy.
While it’s easy to associate sunscreen with beach days and summer BBQs, a winter suncare routine is essential to ensure your skin remains healthy, youthful, and protected.
At Heliocare, we’re all about smart sun protection that works with your skin, your lifestyle, and your environment all year long, even during the cooler months.
Why the sun still matters in winter (especially in New Zealand)
New Zealand has some of the highest UV radiation levels in the world. Thanks to our clear skies, proximity to the hole in the ozone, and less atmospheric pollution to filter UV rays, we’re exposed to intense UV radiation year-round.
While UVB (the rays that cause sunburn) do decrease during the cooler winter months, UVA (the rays responsible for premature ageing and long-term skin damage) remain constant throughout the year.
UVA rays can penetrate clouds and even glass, so whether you’re driving, working by a window, or out on a crisp winter walk, your skin is still being exposed. This means that without proper protection, cumulative UVA exposure can accelerate signs of ageing, trigger pigmentation, and increase the risk of skin cancer — even in winter.
Winter activities that call for sun protection
Don’t let chilly temps fool you — SPF is essential, and in fact, winter can increase your UV exposure in certain settings:
- On the slopes: Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, so if you’re skiing or snowboarding, you’re getting hit with double the exposure
- Cloudy days: Up to 80% of UV radiation can penetrate cloud cover
- Outdoor workouts: Running, cycling, or hiking in the cool air feels amazing — but your skin still needs defence
But my skin feels dry and dull in winter — isn’t that the priority?
In the winter months cold air, wind, and indoor heating can strip moisture and compromise your skin barrier, leaving it dry, sensitive, or flaky. But sun protection shouldn’t be sacrificed in favour of hydration — it should work hand in hand with it.
The key is finding multi-tasking products that nourish, hydrate, and protect. That’s where Heliocare shines. Our advanced formulations don’t just block UV rays — they support skin health from the inside out with powerful antioxidants, skin-strengthening ingredients, and smart protection technology that works even when the sun isn’t blazing.
Here are our top winter skincare tips to ensure that your skin’s protected, radiant, and resilient, come rain, shine, or snow.
Your Winter Suncare Routine, Sorted
1. Start your day with antioxidant support
Free radical damage doesn’t stop in winter, and neither should your antioxidant protection. Incorporating Heliocare 360° Oral Capsules into your routine is one of the easiest ways to boost your skin’s natural defences from within.
Formulated with Heliocare’s unique, patented Fernblock®+ technology, vitamins, and prebiotics, these oral supplements offer next-level sun protection, making them an essential addition to any skincare routine.
Taken daily, the capsules provide intense antioxidant protection that neutralizes and repairs sun damage while boosting your skin's natural resistance to the sun.
Unlike conventional sunscreens, these capsules offer comprehensive coverage, guarding against all four types of radiation—UVB, UVA, visible light, and infrared-A—ensuring your skin is protected from every angle. They're also the perfect solution for those with sun-sensitive skin, offering an extra layer of defense for individuals who typically react to sunlight exposure.
With daily use alongside topical sunscreen, you can effortlessly enhance your sun protection, ensuring your skin is protected for all your favourite outdoor winter activities.
With daily use, you'll notice not just a reduction in sun-related skin issues but also an improvement in your skin's appearance and resilience – a win for any time of the year!
We recommend taking one capsule in the morning before heading out for prolonged UV exposure (yes, even on overcast days!).
2. Use a hydrating SPF to moisturise your skin while providing sun protection
Skincare meets sun care in the ultra-light, Heliocare 360° Water Gel—a breakthrough formula that feels more like a hydrating serum than sunscreen. Silky, lightweight, and instantly quenching, it glides on effortlessly, delivering a boost in moisture while defending your skin with high-performance SPF 50+ protection.
At its core is Fernblock®+ Heliocare’s exclusive antioxidant powerhouse that neutralises and repairs sun damage while shielding against UVB, UVA, visible light, and infrared. The result? Radiant, resilient skin that’s ready to face the sun, every day. Non-comedogenic, alcohol-free, and vegan-friendly, this weightless gel will become your new, ‘go to’ skin-essential all year round.
3. Ensure your body – not just your face – are protected from the sun during your favourite winter activities
For Kiwis who love to enjoy their favourite outdoor activities during the winter months, it’s important to remember to apply sunscreen to not just your face, but your body, too. While you might not have as much skin on show during the winter as you do in the summer months, it’s crucial that any skin that’s exposed to the sun is protected.
Our Heliocare Advance Spray powered by Fernblock® technology, is broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers incredible protection against the harshest UV rays. Quick-absorbing, water-resistant and easy-to-spread, it makes winter sun safety a breeze.
Whether you're hitting the ski fields, exploring your favourite trail, taking the dog out for a walk, or grabbing a coffee, protecting your skin shouldn’t take a season off. With Heliocare, you’re not just shielding your skin—you’re giving it the care it deserves to stay healthy, luminous, and effortlessly protected, all year long.
Ready to give your skin the protection it deserves this winter? Explore the full Heliocare range and discover smart sun protection made for New Zealand’s UV conditions — 365 days a year.
Blog authored by Ashley Miln
