Should You Wear Sunscreen Indoors? Here’s What Dermatologists Want You

You may not think about applying face sunscreen if you’re lounging on the couch or catching a flight. After all, you're not basking in the sun or lying poolside. But here’s the thing: Even when you’re inside, the sun can still reach you. UVA rays (the ones responsible for wrinkles, fine lines and sun spots) can shine right through glass. Translation: Your skin is still vulnerable, even if your beach chair has been replaced by a desk chair.

In this blog, we’re breaking down exactly why indoor SPF matters (yes, even in winter), how UVA rays sneak their way into your life and which Supergoop! products make it easy to stay protected without overthinking it.

Should You Wear Sunscreen Indoors?

Yes, you should wear sunscreen indoors, especially if you spend a lot of time near windows. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying broad spectrum SPF generously and evenly every morning and reapplying at least every two hours.

Here’s why: UVA rays account for about 95% of UV radiation that reaches us, and they’re powerful enough to pass through windows. While UVB rays are responsible for sunburns, UVA rays are sneakier. They cause photoaging — think fine lines, uneven texture, sun spots and in some cases, skin cancer.

One study even found that wrinkles and skin dehydration were more pronounced on the side of people’s faces that got more window exposure.

Should You Wear Sunscreen on Airplanes?

Absolutely! Wearing sunscreen on airplanes is especially important because UV exposure increases by about 2% for every 1,000 feet you climb, according to the EPA.

That’s not just trivia; it’s math that affects your face. In fact, one study found that an hour-long flight at 30,000 feet exposed pilots to the same UVA radiation as a 20-minute tanning bed session.

The takeaway? SPF belongs in your carry-on just as much as noise-cancelling headphones do.

5 Indoor SPF Favorites from Supergoop!

Broad spectrum sunscreen is your best friend indoors. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Plus, many Supergoop! picks are packed with skincare ingredients that hydrate or help your skin in other ways. Below, our favorite multitaskers for indoor wear:

1. Glowscreen SPF 40

This cult favorite does more than protect. It hydrates your skin with hyaluronic acid, gives you a sunkissed finish and contains cocoa peptides to help filter blue light (which comes from both the sun and your screens). The best part? It slips under makeup like a dream while visibly evening tone.

So even if you’re just turning on your webcam, Glowscreen SPF 40 keeps your skin dewy, hydrated and protected without feeling like an extra step.

2. Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream SPF 40

Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream SPF 40 is perfect if your skin’s on the dry side and indoor heat and air conditioning are doing it no favors. Formulated with a ceramide known to help restore skin’s weakened moisture barrier, this SPF moisturizer hydrates deeply while offering broad spectrum protection. It absorbs fast and layers beautifully.

UV rays can sneak in through windows and dehydrate your skin, so consider Superscreen your no-brainer defense built into your moisturizer.

3. Glow Stick SPF 50

Our Glow Stick SPF 50 glides on with zero grease and leaves behind a luminous finish that works for both face and body. Ideal for quick reapplication, this weightless stick uses natural oils to nourish while delivering high SPF protection.

Keep this sunscreen stick near your workspace or window seat — it makes touching up (and staying glowy) throughout the day as easy as a swipe.

4. (Re)setting Mineral Powder SPF 35

Our (Re)setting Mineral Powder SPF 35 combines broad-spectrum sun protection with a setting powder, making it effortless to reapply throughout the day without messing up your makeup. Available in four flexible shades, it mattifies while you touch up.

Use it after your morning skincare routine to lock everything in, and keep it close to blot midday shine and re-up your SPF.

5. Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50

Our Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50 delivers light, buildable coverage in a lightweight, cushiony formula. With 83% skincare ingredients*, it helps smooth skin texture while shielding your skin from UVA and UVB rays with SPF 50.

Make Sunscreen a Habit

UVA rays don’t clock out. They maintain their strength during all daylight hours, all year long — rain or shine, summer or winter. That means sunscreen isn’t just a beach-day essential. It’s an everyday skincare non-negotiable. The easiest way to stay protected? Pick an SPF that fits into your routine, not one that disrupts it. From moisturizers to setting powders and skin tints, Supergoop! makes sun protection feel fun.

* Includes UV filters and skin-conditioning ingredients