Should You Wear Sunscreen In the Car?

You grab your sunglasses. You grab your keys. And as you head out the door, you probably think about wearing sunscreen once you get where you’re going. But what about the ride itself? Whether it’s a quick drive to the grocery store or a long weekend road trip, your skin can be exposed to the sun in the car.

Let’s take a closer look at how sun exposure works inside a car and how you can keep your skin protected while you’re on the move.

Should You Wear Sunscreen In the Car?

Yes! Whether you’re driving or just along for the ride, SPF is essential in the car. While UVB rays (aka “burning” rays) are mostly blocked by glass, UVA rays (aka “aging” rays) can still reach your skin. In fact, more than 50% of UVA rays can pass through glass. If you’re sitting within a few feet of a window (front seat, back seat, driver, or passenger) UVA rays can still hit exposed skin.

Supergoop! Sunscreens to Protect Your Skin in the Car

Daily SPF is an easy way to stay protected wherever your day takes you, even if most of it happens behind the wheel. Here are a few ways to work SPF into your routine before you drive.

SPF Moisturizer

An SPF moisturizer gives you hydration and protection in one easy step — perfect for mornings when you’re rushing out the door. Whether your skin leans oily, dry, or somewhere in between, we have an SPF moisturizer for you:

Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40: Great for normal-to-oily skin. This bouncy formula delivers a trio of benefits: Weightless hydration, expert sun protection, and a supported moisture barrier.
Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream SPF 40: Ideal for dry skin. This soft, rich cream intensely hydrates, nourishes, and protects for skin that feels smoother and looks healthier.

SPF Makeup Primer

If you love a smooth, makeup-ready finish, these SPF primers work double duty to prep your skin and provide broad spectrum protection. Here are a few favorites:

Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50: Weightless, scentless, and 100% invisible. Works for all skin types and layers effortlessly under makeup.
Glowscreen SPF 40: A glowy, tinted SPF primer with a sunkissed finish. It visibly evens tone and is clinically tested to deliver all-day hydration.*
Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40: A mineral, mattifying tinted sunscreen that visibly blurs pores and helps smooth the look of skin.

Pro tip: Keep our (Re)setting Mineral Powder SPF 35 in your bag. With four flexible shades, this on-the-go powder makes it easy to set your makeup and reapply SPF throughout the day without disrupting your look.

SPF Lip Balm

The skin on your lips is thin and delicate, which means it benefits from daily sun protection just as much as the rest of your face. That’s where Glow Gloss SPF 40 comes in. Infused with shea butter and a peptide complex, this high-shine lip balm locks in moisture and leaves lips visibly plumper and fuller.

Hand Sunscreen

Your hands are often closest to the window while you’re driving, and the skin here is thinner and more delicate, so a comfortable SPF lotion can really make a difference. PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 is a great option because it absorbs quickly and feels non-greasy, so you don’t havet o worry about sticky hands on the wheel.

Make SPF Part of the Journey

Your car ride might feel like a break from the sun, but UVA rays don’t stop at the glass. A quick layer of sunscreen before you head out and easy touch-ups during the day help keep your skin protected wherever you’re going. With Supergoop!, staying safe in the sun (and the driver’s seat) feels simple and seamless.

*Based on an independent clinical study with 33 participants after 8 hours