Do I Need Sunscreen on Rainy Days?

It’s true that your skin can get the most damage from direct exposure to the sun on hot, sunny days. However, did you know that your healthy skin does not only need sunscreen during summery and clear days? You still need to apply sun protection even during the rainy season or cloudy days.

You should remember that the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays are capable of penetrating cloud covers and hitting the earth even during the rainy season when the weather is cool, cloudy, or windy. This kind of UV exposure is mostly indirect, but its effects can be just as harmful to your skin.

How Your Skin is Indirectly Exposed to UV Rays

You might be wondering if there are UV rays even when it’s raining. Although you might not feel it, you can still indirectly expose your skin to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Here are some of the scenarios where your skin may become damaged by the sun without your knowledge:

Do I Need Sunscreen When Working Indoors?

You might think that staying indoors can help you avoid sun exposure. However, if your workstation is located near a window, then you might still be exposed to the sun’s UVA rays.

Although the glass windows in your office are effective in blocking UVB rays, they cannot filter all the UVA rays coming from the sun even during rainy days. These rays can then damage your skin slowly without you knowing it. This is why you should still use sunscreen indoors.

Should I Apply Sunscreen When Traveling?

Traveling exposes you to the sun’s UV rays even during cloudy or rainy days. This is especially true if your car has untinted or lightly tinted windows.

You should also be careful when traveling on airplanes. Being exposed to the UV rays that go through planes’ windows can be much more damaging than the exposure you experience on the ground.

Can I Skip Sunscreen When I’m Just Walking on the Street?

You might think that walking outside without sunscreen when it’s raining is alright. After all, you cannot feel or see the sun, so it might not do you any harm, right?

However, UVA rays can easily penetrate through clouds, rain, and fog. This means that your skin can still get damaged by the sun even if it isn’t showing itself.

That is why you should be careful when walking outside and the sky looks bright, even if it’s overcast. You might still be exposed to the sun’s glare and experience skin issues, so you should wear sunscreen even on rainy days.

Should I Apply Sunscreen in the Afternoon?

You’re less likely to get sunburned when you go out after the sun’s peak hours. However, you should still apply sunscreen in the afternoon, as long as the sun is still out because it can still emit UVA rays that can damage your skin.

Can I Go Out Without Sunscreen in the Early Mornings?

You might not feel the sun’s heat that much during early mornings. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re safe from its UV rays.

No matter how cool it is outside, as long as there is daylight, you should wear sunscreen. Doing so allows you to have peace of mind knowing you’re protected from the sun’s UV rays.

Do I Still Need Sunscreen If I’m Fully Covered Up?

If you’re wearing sun-protective clothing that has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating, you can use less sunscreen by applying the product only to exposed skin. Staying under the shade and wearing a wide-brimmed hat can also keep your skin safe from UV rays.

The Consequences of Not Using Sunscreen in the Rainy Season

Failing to apply sunscreen when it’s raining can be harmful to your skin. Constantly committing this mistake can cause you to suffer from different skin problems, including the following:

Skin Discoloration

The most common skin problem you will experience with constant indirect exposure to the sun’s UV rays is skin discoloration. If you regularly forget to apply sun protection during the rainy season, you may notice your skin getting darker as the days go by.

You may also notice some sunspots forming on your skin, which is not a good look. To help address this problem, you can use whitening products for the face in the Philippines and restore your even complexion.

Signs of Aging

Skipping sunscreen when it’s raining is also a good way to speed up your skin’s aging process. Without any form of protection, your skin can easily be damaged by the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.

These rays mostly affect your skin’s collagen and connective tissues. Once these components of your skin are damaged, it can lead to a loss of elasticity and the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.

Sunburn

Even without direct exposure, you can still suffer from sunburn if you do not apply sunscreen in the rainy season. Remember that rain and clouds cannot fully filter out the sun’s UV rays, so they can still damage your skin and cause sunburn.

Increased Risk of Skin Cancer

When you continuously expose your skin to the sun without any form of protection, you are putting yourself at risk of skin cancer. The sun’s UV rays can damage your skin cells and cause melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer.

Protect Your Skin All Year Long

So, should you wear sunscreen on rainy days? Yes, you do. The sun still emits harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation even if it’s hidden by the clouds. These UV rays can be harmful to the skin and lead to more severe problems if not addressed properly.

Clouds can only filter up to 25% of the UV rays emitted by the sun. So, even if it’s overcast or raining, UV rays can still reach your skin and cause damage. To protect your skin, it’s best to wear sunscreen regardless of the season.

More About UV Rays

Ultraviolet (UV) rays come in two forms: ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). Both of these types can harm your skin in different ways.

UVB is the type of UV ray that burns the top layer of your skin. This is what causes you to get sunburned when exposed to the sun for long periods.

Meanwhile, UVA causes long-term damage to your skin. This is because this type of UV ray penetrates your skin deeper, leading to premature aging and even skin cancer.

UVA is also more effective at penetrating through clouds and windows. So, even if you don’t get sunburned, you can still suffer from the damage done by UVA.

Avoid the Skin Problems Caused by Indirect Sun Exposure

If you wish to avoid the skin problems listed above, the solution is simple. Your skin needs protection from both direct and indirect sun exposure.

That’s right: one of the best sun protection tips is to wear SPF products both on sunny and cloudy days. Make it a habit and stick to it for life.

Gluta-C products with SPF protection

Your face, neck, and the exposed parts of your body all need protection. Here are the products we recommend from Gluta-C’s line of facial and body care products.

Intense Whitening Facial Day Cream with SPF 25

This facial day cream contains vitamins A, C, and E, which protect the skin against premature skin aging, as well as glutathione, an active whitening agent that inhibits melanin production and reduces the appearance of blemishes and dark spots.

It also has vitamin B9, which stimulates cellular growth, as well as Shea Butter which strengthens the skin’s natural barrier and gives it intense hydration.

Intensive Whitening Body Lotion with Dual Antioxidant Defense and SPF25

The Gluta-C classic is a deeply moisturizing body lotion that contains both Glutathione and Vitamin C, two powerful antioxidant ingredients that fight free radicals and restore your skin’s healthy radiance with regular application.

Kojic Plus+ Face and Neck Cream with SPF 30

Use a light, non-greasy, yet powerful formulation for your skin and face containing Glutathione, Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, and Azelaoyl Diglycinate that lightens, nourishes, and provides your skin with continuous protection from the sun with SPF 30.

It provides four times the whitening action that you need together with effective acne and oil production control. Get brighter, smoother skin that’s rid of acne irritation and improves in texture over time.

Kojic Plus+ Whitening Body Lotion with SPF 30

Get SPF 30 sun protection and deep moisturization together with four times the whitening power, with Glutathione, Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, and Azelaoyl Diglycinate. These powerful ingredients help brighten the skin, inhibit melanin production, and help control oil production.

With this product, you’ll get all-around sunscreen protection and help reduce the appearance of acne on the body’s oiliest surfaces. It also contains Shea Butter and other natural oils that make skin look smoother and silkier.

Get the Sun Protection You Need

Shield your skin from direct and indirect exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Apply sunscreen with enough SPF every day before going out to prevent premature wrinkles, sunspots, and other kinds of skin damage.