Skip Nav

Why You Should Wear and Reapply Sunscreen Indoors

Diligent About SPF? Experts Say You Should Also Be Wearing Sunscreen While Self-Isolating Indoors

Why You Should Wear and Reapply Sunscreen Indoors

For a lot of people, the last thing they're thinking about right now is whether or not they should be reapplying sunscreen after their 1 p.m. Zoom work call and to be honest, that's absolutely fair enough. There's plenty going on in life right now to not be worrying about SPF useage. But we're beauty editors, so it's one of the things we've been thinking about and judging by google searches right now, we know our fellow beauty enthusiasts are asking the same question, too.

If you're into skin care, sunscreen is an essential beauty product (if not the most essential) and should be a step in everyone's daily skin-care routine. "Daily sunscreen use can help guard against skin cancer and premature skin ageing", said Dr Anjali Mahto, a consultant dermatologist at London's Cadogan Clinic. Come rain, wind, or shine, protection is key — yes, even when it's cloudy outside.

But does that mean should we still be wearing sunscreen while at home during periods of isolation? In short: yes, we should. To get to the bottom of why exactly, we spoke to some of the top dermatologists and skincare experts in London.

Should You Be Wearing Sunscreen Indoors?

We're sorry to say it, but just because you're indoors for the majority of your day, doesn't mean you should be skipping the SPF step. While "UVB does not penetrate through windows, UVA does", said Dr Anne Wetter, dermatologist and founder of skin-care brand Allél, which is why we still need protection. This is especially true right now, during this glorious UK weather. It's extra important to remember your SPF if you're sitting by a window enjoying the sunshine, because "you are still at risk of UV damage. Whilst you may not burn when sitting next to a window, the UV exposure can cause premature ageing," said Dr Susan Mayou, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic.

And why is this protection so important? Let us all remind ourselves of this now-famous photo of a truck driver who suffered visible sun damage on one side of his face, which was exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, without SPF protection.

Now that we've concluded, yes, you absolutely still need to wear sunscreen whilst indoors, what SPF should you use? According to the experts, you need to look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and "it should be a minimum of SPF 30", said Dr Mahto.

Should You Worry About Blue Light Damage, Too?

Protecting against the sun's rays through your windows is most important here. However, there's something else you might want to take into consideration — blue light from your phone and computer screens. Although, it's important to note that scientific studies draws mixed conclusions on effects caused by blue light. According to Dr Wetter, blue light has a very short wavelength with high energy, which can be less than ideal for the skin. Some studies — including one published in 2014 in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine Journal — showed that blue light can affect those with hyper-pigmentation issues. "Blue light can be associated with increased hyper-pigmentation/melanogenesis in the skin, i.e. melasma might be exacerbated by blue light," said Dr Wetter. For this reason she recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against blue light, too. There's no need to go out and spend a fortune on blue light marketed products, your sunscreen will do the job brilliantly.

How Many Times Should I Reapply Sunscreen Indoors?

Sadly, it's not always the case that after one application you're good for the day, especially if you're working with the sun blazing into your house, or working up a sweat with an at-home workout. "If you are in the sun for prolonged periods, you should be reapplying your sunscreen every two hours. This is because your sunscreen can begin to wear away and minimise levels of protection it is providing," said Daniel Issacs, director of research at Medik8. And just as pool or ocean water can break down sunscreen, so does sweat — especially if you're doing an especially rigorous HIIT session. Gross, but true.

We hate to tell you that makeup isn't protectingyou from the sun, either. Although it probably isn't so much of a worry being at home (anyone else forgotten how to apply foundation?), you still need to reapply over the top of your makeup. Thanks to new nifty formulations, you can top up your SPF using facial mists and powders. However, if you don't have either of those handy, you will need to top off with your regular sunscreen cream or lotion.

What Are the Best Sunscreens to Wear Indoors That Won't Clog Your Pores?

One of the biggest issues people have with wearing sunscreen is that it can clog pores. However, thanks to smarter formulations, these days you shouldn't have to suffer breakouts to protect against harmful UV rays. The key is to look for the word noncomedogenic (non-clogging) on the packaging. And we hate to say it, but like all skin care, there is a degree of trial and error to find out what works best for your skin.

So, what are you waiting for? Go and wash your hands, then slather that sunscreen on your face and neck. And if you're taking things really seriously, the backs of your hands, too. If you're looking for a new sunscreen to add to your skin-care routine, read on to see our favourite, lightweight, noncomedogenic suggestions, ahead.

Latest Beauty