Can You Get Sunburnt Through a Window?

Have you ever sat beside a sunny window and asked yourself the question if the sunlight can cause damage to your skin. Asking this question is a very sensible. Many people consider using sun protection as something you need when at the beach, outdoors or on a summer afternoon in the garden. But the relevance of sunlight does not simply stop because you have stepped inside.

So, can a person get sunburned through a window?

The short answer is yes. But getting sunburnt through a window is much more complicated that you may initially think. The good news is that ordinary glass window can block most UVB radiation. This is important since this type of radiation is the type which is most linked to sunburn. But still a significant amount of UVA radiation can still pass through glass. UVA can reach deeper into the human skin and is strongly associated with tanning, premature skin ageing, pigmentation and long-term cellular damage.

Knowing this difference is essential since even though you may not develop a red burn while indoors your skin is still exposed to a meaningful amount UV radiation.

So, to iterate a typical window makes conventional sunburn less likely since it is able to filter out most UVB rays. But UVA radiation still can pass through the window. If you’ve already experienced sunburn, learn more about how to protect and care for sunburned skin in our CHOLLEY guide: can you put susncreen on sunburn?

UVB has a shorter wavelength. This type of radiation is the one responsible for those known signs of ageing such as redness, heat, tenderness, and in severe cases blistering. In contrast UVA has a longer wavelength, and it is able to penetrate the skin more deeply. This type of radiation becomes more relevant when discussing photoaging, pigmentations and cumulative skin damage. UVA can also be a contributing factor to sunburn. Windows can filter out much better UVB than UVA!

So, the glass can prevent you from getting the classical painful burn you may get outside but it cannot be interpreted as a total UVA shield.

This is even more true if you are spending several hours in the same position sitting next to a large sunny window, work besides a window every day or regularly drive during daylight hours. For a deeper look at how UVA and UVB affect the skin , read our CHOLLEY guide on UVA vs UVB, what causes sunburn?

When we talk about daily sun protection at CHOLLEY we want to talk beyond the moment the skin becomes pink. It is essential to know that sun damage is cumulative. A bit of exposure here and there can gradually build up over months and years. This is even more significant when it happens on a repeated basis.

So, we must pay more attention to UVA exposure which passes through the window. According to Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA can pass through window glass and can impact the skin by premature ageing and increase skin-cancer risk.

Yes absolutely, UVA can cause ageing if you do not burn. A characteristic of UVA exposure is that you cannot see immediately anything happening. There are no dramatic warning signs comparable to a bright red sunburn. Repeated UVA exposure can cause oxidative stress and other changes within the skin. These changes can eventually appear as fine lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and loss of a youthful looking complexion.

A good way of looking at this is by thinking about the side of your face which is closets to the car window. If you are driving for long hours every day that side of your face can receive a considerable amount of incidental sunlight which you may not realise. Vehicle windows are an important source of UVA exposure. This is due to the fact that rear windows in general provide less UVA protection than the windshield.

Due to this at CHOLLEY we do not consider sunscreen as purely a holiday product and we consider it a sensible part of any daily skincare routine.

Not all windows block UV rays equally.Standard glass blocks most UVB rays. However, some UVA rays can still pass through.Car windshields usually offer better UVA protection. Side and rear windows may let more UVA through.

Large windows at home or work can also increase UV exposure. This is especially true when you sit close to them for long periods.

Tinted windows can help reduce UV exposure. Special UV window films can block up to 99% of UVA and UVB rays.

However, window protection should not replace sunscreen. We recommend using sunscreen alongside shade, protective clothing and sunglasses for better overall protection.

To answer the question if you should wear sunscreen indoors greatly depends on the context. For those people who spend most of the day in a room away from direct sunlight the exposure maybe very limited.

If your desk is near a bright window, consider using sunscreen. The same applies if you work in a sunny studio or conservatory. Frequent daytime driving is another reason to use broad-spectrum sunscreen. Adding it to your morning routine can help protect your skin.

The great news is that at CHOLLEY we have developed products specifically around the idea that sun protection can be part of skincare rather an afterthought.

For situations where you need a higher level of daily protection, CHOLLEY Alpine Solar Defense SPF 50 is the product we would look to first. It is a lightweight antioxidant emulsion formulated to provide UVA and UVB protection. In clinical testing it produced a mean SPF value of 53.60, and the formulation includes Alpine Artemisia (Artemisia umbelliformis) as an antioxidant botanical.

What we particularly like about this type of formulation is that it is designed to fit into an existing skincare routine. We recommend using Alpine Solar Defense as the final protective step after cleansing and conditioning the skin with appropriate daily-care products.

For someone who spends hours beside a window, commutes by car or simply wants a stronger everyday barrier against incidental UV exposure, an SPF 50 product is a logical choice.

For a different kind of daily routine, CHOLLEY Edelweiss Cream SPF 20 combines moisturising and antioxidant skincare with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

It is an antioxidant and anti-ageing day cream designed for normal, combination and dry skin, with clinically and dermatologically tested SPF 20 protection. We see this as particularly interesting for someone who prefers their daytime moisturiser and sun protection to be incorporated into one step.

The important point, however, is that SPF 20 and SPF 50 are not interchangeable in every situation. If you know you  will be exposed to substantial sunlight, use the higher-protection option.

Our approach is simple. Follow your morning skincare routine and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen.If you spend hours near a sunny window or driving, use SPF 50. Also use shade, protective clothing and sunglasses when needed.

Make sure to apply sunscreen evenly. Also don’t forget areas like your neck, ears, hands and hairline.

UV exposure isn’t limited to the beach. It can happen while driving, working near windows or sitting beside a glass door.

At CHOLLEY, we believe sun protection should be part of your daily skincare routine.

Yes. UVA rays can pass through some car windows, especially side and rear windows.

Standard glass blocks most UVB rays but can allow some UVA rays through.

Yes. UVA can contribute to skin ageing, wrinkles and pigmentation over time.

If you spend a lot of time near sunny windows or drive frequently, SPF 50 can be a sensible choice. At CHOLLEY  Alpine Solar Defense SPF 50 provides higher protection, while Edelweiss Cream SPF 20 offers daily moisturising care with SPF.

Broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays. This makes it important for everyday skin protection.

You may not burn through a window, but UVA exposure can still affect your skin. That’s why we believe daily sun protection matters. At CHOLLEY, products such as Alpine Solar Defense SPF 50 and Edelweiss Cream SPF 20 make it easier to include sun protection in your daily skincare routine.

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