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You wouldn't head to the beach without sunscreen, but what about your morning commute?
Whether you're driving to work, doing the school run or heading out for a quick coffee, applying sunscreen probably isn't the first thing on your mind. After all, you're sitting inside a car, protected by glass. But here's something that might surprise you: your car windows don't necessarily protect your skin from UV damage.
While most windscreens provide substantial UV protection, side windows can allow a significant amount of UVA radiation to pass through. And when you consider how much time Australians spend behind the wheel, that everyday exposure can add up.
The answer depends on which window you're sitting beside.
A 2016 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology examined 29 vehicles from 15 manufacturers to investigate how effectively their windscreens and side windows blocked UVA radiation.
The findings were revealing:
In other words, the average side window in this study allowed almost 30% of UVA radiation to pass through.
That's a significant difference from the protection offered by the front windscreen.
Not all UV radiation affects your skin in the same way.
UVB radiation is a major cause of sunburn and primarily affects the outer layers of your skin.
UVA radiation penetrates more deeply and contributes to premature skin ageing, pigmentation changes and long-term skin damage.
Both UVA and UVB contribute to skin cancer risk.
Here's where car windows become interesting.
Because standard side windows generally block most UVB radiation, you might spend hours driving without experiencing sunburn.
But that doesn't mean your skin hasn't been exposed to UVA.
The absence of sunburn doesn't mean the absence of UV damage.
UVA radiation can also reach your skin on cloudy days, making it worth considering even when the weather doesn't feel particularly sunny.
You may have seen photographs showing noticeably more sun damage on one side of someone's face.
There's research behind this phenomenon.
A well-known case published in The New England Journal of Medicine documented pronounced sun-related skin changes on one side of a truck driver's face after years of occupational exposure.
Other research has explored whether skin cancers occur more frequently on the side of the body closest to the driver's window.
One study examining skin cancer laterality in the US, where the driver sits on the left side of the car, found a greater proportion of skin cancers on the left side of the body, particularly among men. Another study identified driver-side UV exposure as a possible contributing factor to differences in where skin cancers develop. (These studies were conducted in countries where drivers typically sit on the left side of the vehicle.)
Of course, this doesn't mean every Australian driver will experience more damage on the right side of their face. Exposure depends on the position of the sun, driving direction, window protection and time spent travelling.
But the research highlights something important: regular UV exposure through car windows is worth taking seriously.
It's easy to dismiss a 20 or 30 minute drive as insignificant.
But consider how much time that becomes over a year.
If you spend just 30 minutes driving each weekday, that's approximately:
That's a considerable amount of time sitting beside a window that may allow UVA radiation through.
Of course, those hours don't all represent the same amount of UV exposure. The actual dose depends on the UV Index, weather, window glass, sun position and whether sunlight reaches your skin. But it demonstrates how everyday habits can create repeated opportunities for exposure.
And your car isn't the only place this happens.
Sitting beside a sunny office window or working from a cafe can also contribute to incidental UVA exposure.
It's a reminder that sun protection isn't just about the occasional beach day.
For people who spend time driving in daylight, especially during longer commutes, wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin is a sensible habit.
In Australia, sun protection is recommended when the UV Index reaches 3 or above.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB radiation, helping reduce exposure to the UV rays that can reach your skin during everyday activities.
And the good news? You don't need a complicated skincare routine to make sunscreen part of your morning. Wotnot's Natural Zinc Face Sunscreen SPF50 with CoQ10 is designed for comfortable daily wear, whether you're heading to work, running errands or spending the day outdoors.
Formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, it provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a lightweight formula with a matte finish. It also contains Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that helps support the skin against environmental oxidative stress, alongside vitamin E to help nourish and condition the skin. With a comfortable finish that sits well under makeup, it's an easy addition to your everyday routine.
Your face isn't the only area exposed to sunlight while driving.
Depending on your clothing and the position of the sun, your hands, forearms, neck and upper chest may also receive UV exposure.
For longer drives, consider applying sunscreen to exposed areas and using protective clothing where practical. And remember, sunscreen needs to be applied generously and reapplied according to the product's directions, particularly when spending extended periods outdoors.
It's easy to think of sun protection as something reserved for summer holidays, swimming and outdoor adventures.
But UV exposure can also occur during ordinary moments, including your daily commute. Wotnot's Natural Zinc Face Sunscreen SPF50 with CoQ10 combines broad-spectrum mineral sun protection, antioxidant skincare ingredients and a lightweight matte finish, making daily SPF simple and comfortable.
Because caring for your skin isn't just about protecting it on the sunniest days. It's about the small, consistent habits that support skin wellness throughout life.
Wotnot Naturals — Lifetime Skin Wellness™.
100% wot's good, 0% wot's not.
