Do you need to wear sunscreen indoors? – Beautiful with brains

Do you also have to wear sunscreen indoors? We all know that applying sunscreen before leaving the house, even though just running errands or walking the dog is an absolute must to protect your skin from sun damage and the wrinkles it inevitably causes. But what about wearing sunscreen indoors?

If you never leave the house, or just go back and forth to pick up your daily bread, is it worth putting on sunscreen – or are you just wasting precious produce? After all, sunscreen bottles are incredibly small for the amount of product you need to use each day, so if you can save a little, why not? And even…. those pesky UV rays can get to you even when you’re sitting near a window or driving a car. Well, some of them can… Here’s what dermatologists say about the need to wear sunscreen indoors:

Can you get a sunburn indoors?

I’m old enough to remember when sunscreen was just for the beach. At the time, the consensus was that sunscreen only served to prevent sunburn. We didn’t yet know the fast powers of the sun and going outside on a hot day without protection would mean you would have wrinkles and dark spots at an increasingly younger age. So if the sun wasn’t hot enough to burn your skin, you skipped the sunscreen. *sighs*

Is there any chance that the sun’s rays are so strong indoors? Even if you sit all day in front of your desk with a large window, can the sun’s rays pass through and burn your skin? Yes and no. Let me explain. UV rays can most certainly pass through windows. They did research on drivers showing that the side of your face next to the window develops wrinkles and dark spots and ages faster than the rest of your face. But they didn’t get a sunburn. How is it possible?

There are two types of UV rays. While all damage the skin, UVA rays are primarily responsible for premature aging while UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn. Only UVA rays can get through windows, which is why you can get wrinkles but not sunburn indoors. But it doesn’t require you to wear sunscreen inside.

Related: What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?

How effective is your sunscreen? Sign up for the newsletter below to receive the “Sunscreen Audit” worksheet and find out if your sunscreen really measures up:

Do you really need to wear sunscreen indoors?

So if you can’t get sunburned inside the house or office, do you really need to wear sunscreen indoors? The short answer is yes. “Glass windows filter out UVB rays (but) UVA rays can still penetrate through your windows, which is harmful to your skin,” says Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. The A in UVA is for aging. These rays are responsible for premature wrinkles and dark spots.

The worst part? They don’t even age your whole face at the same rate! If you look at the face of someone who has been driving cars or vans for a living for years, you will notice that one side of his face – the side closest to the car windows – has twice as many wrinkles and dark spots! The verdict is clear: you may think that not wearing sunscreen indoors is harmless, but all that unprotected sun exposure is adding overtime — and it’s not pretty.

Want to know something even scarier? UVA rays also increase your risk of skin cancer. Do not take any risk !

Can sunscreen protect you from blue light?

Blue light is light emitted by screens, including laptops, phones, and televisions. Not all sunscreen protects you from blue light. They must contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or both to do the job well. According to a study published in the British Journal or Dermatology“products containing microfine titanium dioxide are likely to provide superior photoprotection” against UV radiation compared to other sunscreen formulations.

In case you were wondering, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two mineral filters that provide broad-spectrum UV protection. Unlike chemical filters, they are very gentle on the skin and do not cause negative reactions even in people with sensitive skin. The problem? They have a greasy texture and can leave a white cast. Luckily, brands are learning how to get rid of these unwanted side effects, so we can enjoy them without our faces turning to white paste.

Do you need to reapply sunscreen indoors?

Now you know that you should also wear sunscreen at home or in the office. But do you need to reapply it often too? You absolutely have to…but not as often as you would need to if you were wearing it at the beach.

“UV rays seep into our rooms in ways we may not expect. Windows and doors do not filter out some UV rays and can damage skin,” explains Nava Greenfield, MD, dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group. “Sunscreen is no longer effective after a while, usually around 80-120 minutes. If you are exposed to significant UV rays indoors, it would be wise to reapply.

Part of the reason sunscreen loses its effectiveness is that sweating, swimming, and rubbing physically remove it from your skin. When you’re indoors, this is less likely to happen, keeping your sunscreen on your skin – where it’s supposed to be – for longer periods of time. But that doesn’t mean you can get away with not reapplying sunscreen at all. I recommend at least one mid-day reapplication. AT LEAST.

How can you prevent indoor sun damage?

I’m not suggesting that you stop sitting by windows or never get in a car again. Damn, where’s the fun in that? But before you do, you need to take a few steps to protect yourself:

1. Wear sunscreen: All day, every day, even when you’re indoors. Make sure it is broad spectrum. Not all sunscreens protect against UVA rays – and they are the ones that get inside! Click here to find out which UV filters protect against UVA rays. (PS You can’t go wrong with zinc oxide).
2. Window tint: Applying a UV protective film to your windows reduces UVA penetration by approximately 15-30%. I know that’s not always possible, especially in the office. But if that’s up to you, I highly recommend you consider it, especially for your car or if you live somewhere where the sun is scorching most of the year.

What are the best indoor sunscreens?

The best sunscreen is one that you will use and wear repeatedly. Period. That said, some formulas are indeed better than others. First, go for an SPF of at least 30. Anything lower doesn’t provide adequate sun protection. “If you have a history of skin cancer, get melasma or hyperpigmentation, or tend to burn quickly, you should consider an SPF of 65 or higher,” says Dr. Green.

Mineral sunscreens also have the advantage here of being able to protect you from blue light, a source of concern indoors. Just make sure to choose a formula that isn’t too greasy and won’t turn you into Caspar The Ghost. Here are some of my favorite picks:

• Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 ($36.00): A tinted mineral sunscreen that protects you from all UV rays without leaving white marks. Best suited for dry skin. Available at Boots, cult beauty, NK spaceAnd Ultimate.
• Paula’s Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF30 ($26.40): Suitable for all skin types, this tinted mineral sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection, fights premature wrinkles, and dries to a luminous finish. Available at cult beauty, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, SelfridgesAnd NK space.
• Super goof! SPF 40 Mineral Matte Screen ($38.00): A mineral sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection and dries to a silky matte finish. It also minimizes the appearance of pores. It is best suited for oily and combination skin. Available at blue mercury, Nordström, TurnAnd Ultimate.

What if you don’t want to wear sunscreen indoors?

I am not your mother and you are not a child. If you don’t want to put sunscreen inside, I can’t force you to. But, I encourage you to protect yourself by avoiding the sun as much as possible indoors as well. How? Don’t spend time near large windows. If you must, draw the curtains. “If you’re just keeping out of the sunlight entering your windows, no other indoor precautions are necessary,” said said Kenneth Howe, MD, Wexler Dermatology Board Certified Dermatologist.

The essential

Although we all believe (we are, don’t we?) that we need to use sunscreen to protect our skin from UV damage outdoors, most people don’t realize that you must also wear sunscreen indoors. UVA rays can penetrate through windows and age you much faster than you would like. Add blue light from all the screens we use regularly and you have a recipe for premature aging. Wear your sunscreen inside too, ladies!

About Gio

Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, like-it-like skin coach and writer, with a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and demystify marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth splurging on and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.