As the weather turns warmer, many people ask—is it necessary to protect your skin from harmful UV rays when you are indoors? The short answer is yes, you do. Whether at the beach or your home office, it is always in your best interest to protect your skin, especially in the summer.
There are Two Types of Sunscreen
In order to protect your skin with the best, know that there are two types of sunscreen. First, physical blocker sunscreen contains minerals like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are ground into fine particles. Once you apply them, they sit on the surface of your skin and reflect the sun’s UV rays away.
Physical sunscreens offer the most broad-spectrum protection, meaning that they protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. They’re particularly effective at blocking UVA rays that come in through windows. However, they tend to feel heavy on the skin.
In contrast, chemical sunscreens form a protective film that absorbs UV rays before they can penetrate the skin. The chemicals include oxybenzone, octisalate, homosalate, and octinoxate. They can be irritating and often cause allergies. However, they don’t leave a film, making them a great option for a wide variety of skin types.
The Importance of Using Sunscreen Indoors
Many people believe that you don’t need to wear sunscreen once you’re indoors. However, as noted above, this is not true. The standard glass in the windows of homes, cars, and buildings blocks UVB rays, but it doesn’t block UVA rays.
UVA rays are much stronger and can penetrate deeper into the skin. They are the main cause of issues like dark spots, photo-aged skin, and wrinkles. If you sit close to a window at home or in the office, you may be unknowingly exposing yourself to damage-causing UVA rays.
While this may come as a shock, your skin may also require protection from the device you’re reading this article on! Your electronic devices emit HEV (high-energy visible) lights through the LED lights they use. These HEV lights also cause skin damage. Exposure can lead to skin sensitivity, dryness, sagging, wrinkles, and an uneven texture and tone.
For these reasons, experts recommend that you always wear sunscreen—even while indoors. Physical, mineral sunscreen is best for protecting your skin against HEV lights, and it’s also well-suited for the UVA rays that make their way through windows.
Embrace Holistic Skincare from KNESKO this Summer
To keep your skin supple and smooth on even the hottest of summer days, indulge in our restorative face masks. Luxuriate in our rose quartz face masks when your skin needs some TLC. They contain powerful antioxidants and deliver a rich and soothing experience. For skin + spirit care, our collagen-rich age-defying face masks contain the healing benefits of clean-clinical ingredients and gemstones, which are harnessed by KNESKO’s GEMCLINICAL Technology.
Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen throughout the summer—even indoors—and revitalize skin and soul by treating yourself to an ultra-luxurious facial-at-home experience. We embrace holistic skincare to enhance both inner and outer beauty. Make this summer the summer of love by treating yourself to a new self-love practice.