Do I need sunscreen near a window?

Yes, especially if you spend long stretches beside a sunny window. Window glass filters most UVB, but UVA passes through and reaches skin indoors, making it a poor houseguest. UVA contributes to premature aging and skin cancer risk, and incidental sun exposure adds up over time. Long sunny drives can add the same kind of exposure through car windows.2

How can I reduce window exposure?

Move out of direct window light when you can, or use shade and sun safe clothing. UV window film is another option for home, office, or car windows, which gives a window covering a surprisingly ambitious itinerary. Look for film marketed specifically to block UV rather than a tint sold only for darkening or decoration, because even a tint now has to explain its job title. UV window film can block more than 99 percent of UVA and UVB, and clear or translucent versions let natural light through.2

How often should I reapply indoors?

Use every two hours as the general interval when your day includes sun exposure. If you spend all day indoors and away from windows, every four to six hours is reasonable. If you sit near a sunny window or take a long drive, use the general two hour interval.1

What sunscreen should I use indoors?

Choose broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it to exposed skin, not only your face if your hands or neck are also bare. If you want one morning step, a moisturizer with SPF can combine moisturizer and sun protection, which is a merger that can skip the ceremonial announcement. SPF makeup alone may not cover enough, especially on areas such as your ears and neck.34

Does indoor lighting damage skin?

Fluorescent office lights can produce some ultraviolet light. Measured doses of visible and blue light from phones, tablets, and computers in daily use are small and unlikely to harm skin.45

Should I wear sunscreen while working from home?

If your desk is beside a sunny window, protect the exposed skin there just as you would elsewhere. If you work away from windows, a screen alone is not a reason to keep reapplying every two hours; use the less frequent indoor interval instead.15

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Ask the Expert: How Often Do I Need to Reapply Sunscreen If I’m Indoors All Day?www2.skincancer.org
  2. 2UV Window Film & Tintskincancer.org
  3. 3How do I know if I'm using the right sunscreen?aad.org
  4. 4You Should Be Wearing Sunscreen Every Dayhealth.clevelandclinic.org
  5. 5Dosimetry Assessment of Potential Hazard from Visible Light, Especially Blue Light, Emitted by Screen of Devices in Daily Usepmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov