If you haven’t had it drilled into you by every facialist, dermatologist, doctor, beauty expert, skinfluencer, mum, dog, aunty or cousin that SPF is a MUST HAVE in your daily skin routine, then you’ve essentially gotten away with murder because that is some impressive escape work, friend.
However, as we wrote our ‘essentials’ shopping list this week, it got us thinking. Do we really need to be dropping $$$ on suncreen right now, if we’re spending little to no time at all in the sun?
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Is SPF a step in my skincare routine that can take a momentary back seat?
Answer below, and let’s find out whether you should be applying your daily SPF:
1) Do you have a window in your house?
2) Do you use a computer, TV or mobile phone?
3) Do you have fire alarm, hair dryer, or microwave?
4) Do you spend ANY time outside, even if its cloudy, in the middle of winter and for a short period of time?
If you can answer yes to any of the below questions, then you need to be wearing sunscreen every day.
And if you answered NO to all of the four questions… are you ok?
Is my SPF 15+ moisturiser or foundation enough?
Nope, it isn’t. When purchasing your sunscreen be sure to look for one that is labelled ‘broad spectrum’. This means it protects you from:
- UVB rays: These are the most vicious of them all, the ones causing sunburn and skin cancers.
- UVA rays: These guys will find you ANYWHERE. They penetrate through your windows when you’re inside, in the car or even on an aeroplane. These guys may not cause you hot, red blistering burns, but they are responsible for dark sun spots and wrinkles.
A good way to remember this is, UV(B) for BURNS and UV(A) for AGEING.
Some our favourite broad spectrum buys include: Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser Matte SPF50+ Invisible and Banana Boat EveryDay SPF 50+.
Ok but lights are off.. blinds are down…?
If you haven’t heard about our good friend Mr Blue Light, then you can read all about him and his mischevious ways here. Also known as High Energy Visible Light, this culprit penetrates into our skin from our phones, computers and TV’s. Leaving us with the lovely gift of discoloured patches and hyperpigmentation on our skin.
Our electronic devices are not only to blame. We need to also be aware of the infrared radiation that comes from household items such as our heaters, hair dryers and microwaves. These can also be responsible for dehydration and further damage to our skin. Infrared radiation (IRA), is best described as light you can feel as warmth, but you cannot see.
Image credit: @glopedia
Yes this would all be terribly frighting and overwhelming if a product invented to protect us from ALL OF THE ABOVE didn’t already exist…
So next time you’re wondering whether you should forego your sunscreen just because we are all housebound, please swiftly flashback to the above questions!
And while you’re here, check out some of our fave facial suncreen finds.
Main image credit: @cindycrawford + @bellahadid
Do you use SPF every day, regardless of whether you’re indoors or not?
I don’t use SPF if I’m not going out. I use my hairdryer and microwave for a very short period of time, but I do spend quite a bit of time in front of my iPad, but I didn’t realise I needed to wear sunscreen to protect me from that. I (mostly) always wear it when I go out. Well, occasionally I forget. I’m off to walk the dog now. But I’ll go and apply some of my favourite Reef Coconut sunscreen first.
Ok, confession time – I have gotten really slack with my SPF. I am wearing it today as I am at work today, but yesterday as I worked from home there was no SPF in sight.
To be honest I don’t use spf indoors. I never expose skin at direst window sun. Found that daily wear of sunscreen makes my skin quality go worse. Bumpy. Stiff. Eyes sting if wearing all day. Dehydrated top layer. Rough skin…. So prefer healthy skin than… just ‘maybe’ protection I ‘would need’ from screens (unproven yet for mobiles and computers).
I should start wearing it more
Just when I thought I was safe in isolation. My word!
About to go slather some on now eek! I’ve even been taking a morning without any on (silly me!)
Very interesting . I didn’t consider TV or phones. I have low vitamin D，my Doc said do 10 min outside every day b4 10am or after 3pm unprotected. Will wear a hat to protect my face at least.
If I’m not going anywhere sometimes I don’t apply SPF. I didn’t even consider blue light from the computer screen. Time to put some sunscreen on!
I always wear it, every single day without fail
Great article! I did not realise that the blue light emitted from my electronic devices could also cause skin problems. I usually wear a high SPF sunscreen everyday but haven’t done so for the past 3 weeks as I’ve been self-isolating and social distancing and only leave my apartment to get groceries.
Always use a SPF Foundation as well as a SPF 50+ Sunscreen so important for your skin don’t sunbake get good Fake Tanning and stay out of the Sun in the hottest part of the day.
I have to admit but what started me on a roll with using SPF religiously even back in the 1980’s (when only one daily moisturiser was available with spf – an Olay one) was the fact that I personally beleived that UV lighting inside (and we had it at work) which had no dispersion coverings were actually possibly going to cause skin damage and even skin cancer! Well atleast I was thinking while I was 20!
I too didn’t know about blue light damage.
I only applied it on the weekend when we went for a one hour walk. Otherwise I’m only outside for about 15 – 20 minutes each day.
I did not know about the blue light. I have been skipping sunscreen, better get back onto it.
Wow I didn’t know about Infrared radiation. Good to know.
Personally I wear SPF every day of the year but I must admit only SPF15.
Wow we definitely need it
Using sunscreen is just a part of my daily routine and I use it no matter if im planning on going outdoors or not.
I could do better with my sunscreen application, I do forget and I also have low Vit D levels so rather than take supplements have little coffee breaks outside without sunscreen to try and boost my levels.
Hmm, I was hoping to use this time to use my moisturisers without spf. Seems like I’m still going to have to slap on the sunscreen.
I don’t use it often enough. Am exercising outdoors more now I’m not at work, need to start wearing sunscreen. So many people out in the morning exercising I’m having to find an alternative walking route where there are less people around.
no wayyyy lol no way you need sunscreen in the house I had a sun safe app that tells me when I need to apply it or not. hmmmm
My products have SPF in them, so its daily
If SPF15+ in moisturiser isn’t sufficient, then all skin care companies should produce moisturiser with a minimum of SPF30+ in it. Yes we still commonly see moisturisers sold with just SPF15+ in it.
Most of the time I wear Day moisturisers with SPF in it. It ranges from SPF50+ to as low as SPF15+. The longer the time I’m going to spend outside, the higher the SPF+ I use.
I’m religious about SPF whenever I leave the house, but I’ve got blockout curtains, so I prefer to let my skin breathe when I’m home.
My doctor said the same: she said 10 mins outside every day, or take a vitamin D tablet. You couldn’t pay me to sit in the sun for 10 mins every day, so I take the tablets.
I don’t think I need it indoors at all.
However I wear it everyday I’m going outside or sitting near a window.
But at home nah. Many experts say you don’t need it in doors too.
I’m using products that contain SPF but I’m not slapping on the sunscreen. I’m using the time to give my skin a break from as many products as I can.
Using this time to give my skin a break, however I will start with the spf 50 again as I will be sitting near a window to work. Though keeping up with my skincare and the routine of that.
I use sunscreen religiously, every single day. Rain, hail or shine, indoors or outdoors, I use it every day.
I generally do not use sunscreen when inside. Informative read, thanking you.
There are many things that would be good for me to but for various reasons I don’t do or do often enough. Wearing sunscreen is one of those things. I take on board what’s being said in the article but I’m not sure I want to wear s/s on days that I’m totally housebound
No must admit haven’t been using it whilst working from home. Feels just good to be au naturel with less layers on my face
I definitely don’t wear it whenever I’m inside, UNLESS I know I’m going to be working near a window for an extended period of time. It’s then & only then will I apply it if I’m going to be inside because I know from experience that I could end up with the potential beginnings of a skin cancer if I don’t (been there, done that). Outside is a whole other story.
I’ll be keeping well away from the microwave!!
I dont use as mych SPF as I should. I try but sometimes forget. When all this passes, Id like to see a beauty therapist so I can get laser for my pigmentation.
Always a resounding yes.
I admit I never wear sunscreen at home but now I’m thinking of doing that. I’ll just tell myself it’s moisturiser LOL
I’ve read you should but I just close the blinds lol. But if I’m going out I wear a thick layer.
Good reminder to use SPF. Sometimes I forget while at home.
I wear moisturiser with SPF every day.
This is a fantastic article because its just taught me something so incredibly valuable and something I would have never realised if I didn’t read this article.
I never knew how important sunscreen is inside the house, around phones or computers and around electronics too??? Thats crazy, and on top of that I barely wear it when I even go outside let alone inside the house.
Thanks so much BH great article
Have just started incorporating SPF into my routine, this article has really made me think! Thanks bh x
A very important article that really highlights the importance of skin protection. Thank you BH!
I must admit that I have been skipping the foundation whilst working from home…
I never skip it, A few sunspots on my face remind me of how much I need it, and I still have to hang the washing out 🙂
I would not have thought that I needed sunscreen inside.
I’m often wearing sunscreen though because I much prefer to be outside.
I wear SPF moisturiser every day. Great article.
100% with you Tigerlily. Would never cross my mind to wear sunscreen indoors. Maybe I’m wrong but I heard Australians are most Vitamin D deficient nation. Maybe we are over doing the sunscreen routine?
wow didn’t realise spf was important for a few of these instances
SPF is a part of my daily and it really helps in protecting my skin