Why You Need To Wear Sunscreen Inside

Think you’re not going to be exposed to UV rays while you’re inside on the couch? Think again!  

No matter the weather, season or temperature, those aging and burning rays can get you even while you’re driving! We’ve answered your burning questions on everything you need to know about wearing sunscreen indoors, how bluelight can impact your skin and what your WFH skincare routine should look like. 

Let’s get back to basics, the purpose of sunscreen is to cut down how much UV reaches your skin to reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. While it’s a no-brainer to apply SPF if you’re spending a day outside in the sun, many people still struggle with the reality that it’s a must when you’re indoors.  

You might think it’s more practical to save the SPF for brighter days spent outside but it’s worth getting into the habit of adding sunscreen to your morning routine. You’ll likely go outside at some point or inadvertently be exposed during the day whether you’re taking a stroll to get your morning coffee or simply hanging the washing out.  

Sun damage can occur through your windows, otherwise known as ambient solar UV radiation, and while the risk is low those harmful UVA rays can still get through. Remember how we said UVA rays stand for premature aging and pigmentation while UVB rays stand for burning? You won’t believe it but the majority of UV hand aging actually occurs while you’re driving! So the short answer is yes, you do need to wear sunscreen indoors. 

What Level Of SPF Do I Need? 

The sun protection factor, or SPF for short, measures the level of UVB protection a sunscreen will give you. What’s the go with broad spectrum we hear you asking? Well this protects against both UVA and UVB rays, now that’s hitting the jackpot!  

If you’re inside most of the day you can use a sunscreen with SPF15 or higher, however if you’re spending a lot of time outside, especially when the sun is strongest, you’ll need SPF30 or more.  

How Often Do I Need To Reapply Sunscreen If I’m Indoors? 

Sunscreens need to form a film over your skin in order to do their job properly however your sebum levels and sweat will often naturally break down the formula. If you’re indoors you’re less likely to be sweating or swimming so if you’re not near windows, you’ll likely be okay with one application in the morning. If you’re sitting in a room that receives lots of sunlight or are using technology for most of the day, keep your skin youthful and radiant by applying your favourite sunscreen every 4-6 hours. 

We can’t say it enough but sun protection is one of the most important things you can do for your skin! The effects of UV exposure and sun damage are cumulative so the extent of damage isn’t immediately apparent and often isn’t reversible. UVA radiation weakens the skin’s immune system so applying sunscreen minimises your risk of skin cancer and melanoma by up to 50%. Daily use of SPF can also prevent wrinkles and premature aging which is simply a symptom of collagen and tissue breaking down. 

Taking care of your skin starts with sunscreen and in reality, most people don’t wear as much as they should. You could be spending hundreds on the best skin care products but they simply won’t live up to the anti-aging prevention that sunscreen provides, there’s a reason we love SPF! Take your skin type into consideration and choose a lightweight everyday sunscreen that works with your daily routine. 

If you gave yourself a window view while setting up your home office, you’ll likely be more exposed to direct sunlight than when you were in the office. If you’ve since dropped sunscreen from your morning routine, you might want to think about adding it back. It may seem counterintuitive but the more you’re exposed, the more you’re at risk, especially as the sun’s rays can pass through windows and most household ones don’t have any UV protection built in. 

We know it can be easy to think you’re not planning on leaving the house so it won’t matter but if you’re moving your laptop to work from the balcony or backyard, you could actually be upping your exposure. Why not be mindful of how often you step outside and keep a spare bottle of SPF at your desk to apply regularly? If you don’t want to wear sunscreen inside then move out of the sun by drawing the curtains or changing rooms. 

Getting ready for the office requires a few less steps when you’re working from home so why not make it even easier by switching to a tinted sunscreen which can double as SPF protection and light coverage for those dreaded video meetings. For a bright and glowing complexion smooth on an antioxidant serum, like esmi’s Pomegranate Brightening Serum, before sunscreen. The high Vitamin C content helps strengthen cells from UV damage, when used alongside your SPF, and has anti-oxidation properties to protect from free radicals and environmental aggressors.  

Blue light is a colour in the visible light spectrum that can actually be seen by the human eye. It primarily comes from the sun but is also emitted by fluorescent bulbs and your phone, laptop and TV screens. It gives off a lot less High Energy Visible Light (HEV) than the sun but our exposure times are huge when we compare it to how much sunbathing we do in a week to how much screen time we accumulate.  

It has a short wavelength which means it’s able to reach past the dermis but can’t cause sunburn, phew! Unfortunately blue light does produce free radicals which can cause sagging from a decrease in collagen and elastic tissue, age spots from increased melanin and premature aging while also impacting your beauty sleep and eye health. 

You’ve probably got glasses to protect your eyes from blue light, but what about your skin? Not all sunscreens protect against blue light but physical formulas with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide do as these minerals sit on top of the skin and bounce light off to protect it. Try keeping your devices further away from your face, enable night mode and decrease the brightness to help lower the amount of damage caused.