Summer may be over, but we’re here to remind you that it’s still important to wear sunscreen every day. 365 days a year. Rain or shine. Here’s why…

The amount of sun exposure that you get over a lifetime plays an important role in the health of your skin. A lifetime of sun exposure causes changes deep down in your skin, and can eventually lead to skin cancer.

Daily sun exposure—including UVA rays that can penetrate windows—can lead to wrinkles and brown spots on the skin. Sun exposure also exacerbates dry skin because the ultraviolet rays disrupt the skin’s normal hydrating systems.Dry skin gets worse in winter as humidity levels fall. Help your skin protect itself from the winter’s cold by using sun protection on a daily basis.

Consistently using a sunscreen every day is crucial. You should use SPF every day. Dr. Leslie Baumann prefers that you use an SPF of at least 15, but 30 is even better. One study showed that even using a daily SPF of 4-10 can lower your LIFETIME amount of sun exposure by 50%, which translates to less wrinkles and healthier skin as you age. Make a habit of including sunscreen as part of your morning routine—regardless of what the weather’s like outside.

To learn more about sunscreen and how to choose one, click here.