Should You Wear Sunscreen Indoors?
It is no surprise that most of us have, by now, become accustomed to working from home. COVID-19 has also come with significant social distancing measures that have limited the number of activities we can partake in outside. This shift has meant that most of us are, on average, spending more time indoors. But does this shift necessarily mean that sun protection has become any less important?
There is typically no need to wear sunscreen when indoors, as the risk of sun exposure is low. However, if you are spending a lot of time by a window with direct sunlight you might want to think about sun protection. Not only can UV radiation permeate windows, it can also reflect of a number of surfaces.
A Reminder
To explain the risk, it is important to understand ultraviolet radiation. UV radiation is invisible energy emitted by the sun. The two types of UV radiation that reach the earth are UVA and UVB.
Not all windows are treated with protection from the sun's harsh rays. Ultraviolet A rays, which can cause signs of aging like loss of elasticity and wrinkles, can penetrate windows and cloud cover. UVA are also related to an increased risk of skin cancer; however ultraviolet B rays are the major known cause for both sunburn and the risk of skin cancer. UVB is typically blocked by glass, and certain types of glass can reduce UVA, for example laminated glass eliminates UVA completely.
Check the UV Levels
While ultraviolet exposure through windows presents minimal risk, if the UV level is forecast to be 3 or above and you are going to be outside intermittently during the day, for example to carry out chores like hanging out the washing, then sun protection, including sunscreen use, should be incorporated into your morning routine.
UV rays can pass through glass windows, so wearing SPF inside your home is an extra level of precaution. Wearing inside your car is actually more important. In fact, the vast majority of UV hand ageing occurs while driving.
Glass windows do filter out UVB however rays can still penetrate through your windows which is harmful to your skin. UVA penetrate a deeper layer of skin and are therefore more damaging than UVB. In fact, UVA are the root cause of hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, and premature aging. All this is to say, even if you plan to spend an entire day indoors, topping off your skincare routine with a final layer of SPF is a stellar, supremely necessary idea.
Solbari SPF 50+ Sunscreen
The Solbari Dry Touch sunscreen is lightweight, rapidly absorbed SPF 50+ sunscreen which is non-greasy and invisible on the skin. The Solbari Moisturising sunscreen provides broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection while it nourishes, hydrates and is invisible on the skin.
Our formulations help calm and restore your skin at the same time keeping it protected from UVA and UVB radiation. They are also irritant-free to reduce the potential for sensitive skin flare-ups. All Solbari sunscreens are formulated, tested, and rated SPF50+ in Melbourne, Australia.
