When temperatures drop, sunscreen is often the first thing people cut from their routine. I hear it every year in my practice "I'm barely outside," or "There's no sun in the winter."
The reality is that winter is one of the most overlooked and damaging seasons for skin. Cold weather does not eliminate UV radiation and in some environments, it actually intensifies it.
Below, I'm answering the most common questions my patients ask about SPF in the winter, and why your skin still needs daily protection no matter what the forecast says.
Jump to a section
- UVA vs UVB: What actually changes in winter?
- If it's cold and cloudy, am I still getting sun damage?
- Are winter environments harder on skin than summer?
- What skin damage happens in winter without SPF?
- Do I need sunscreen if I'm mostly indoors?
- What SPF should I use in the winter?
- Frequently asked questions
UVA vs UVB: What actually changes in winter?
Before anything else, it helps to understand the two types of UV rays — because they behave very differently in winter.
UVB rays cause sunburn. These do decrease in intensity during winter months and shorter daylight hours, so your burn risk drops.
UVA rays cause aging, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, collagen breakdown, and deep skin damage. These remain constant year round, regardless of season, cloud cover, or temperature.
The winter sun feels weaker because UVB drops. But UVA never stops. That's why daily SPF is non-negotiable, even in January.
1. If it's cold and cloudy, am I really still getting sun damage?
Yes and this is one of the most common misconceptions in skincare.
UV radiation is not dependent on temperature or visible sunlight. What changes in winter is perception. You don't feel heat, so your brain interprets the sun as harmless. But clouds only reduce UV levels by about 50% meaning even on an overcast day, half the UV radiation is still reaching your skin.
UVA rays penetrate glass, car windows, and office buildings. Your morning commute counts. Sitting by a window counts. Even walking to your car counts. Your skin is accumulating exposure every single day without any sensation to warn you.
The bottom line: No season, no cloud cover, no temperature gets you out of wearing SPF.
2. Are winter environments more harsh on skin than summer?
They're damaging in different ways but winter's damage is often more persistent.
Summer causes obvious UV exposure: warmth, tanning, sometimes burning. You feel it, so you react. Winter damage is silent. It combines UV radiation with harsher environmental stress: cold air, wind, and dry indoor heating all weaken the skin barrier simultaneously.
Fresh snow can reflect up to 80–90% of UV rays, meaning your skin receives radiation from above and below at the same time. This is why patients develop unexpected burns or redness around the nose, chin, and jawline after time outdoors in winter. The ozone layer is also at its thinnest in winter months, which allows more UV radiation to reach the earth's surface.
A compromised skin barrier loses moisture, becomes reactive, and has less ability to defend itself. So, while summer sun feels stronger, winter exposure often causes more long term damage because your skin is drier, more vulnerable, and far less protected.
3. What skin damage happens in winter without SPF?
The most common concerns I see from winter UV exposure are increased hyperpigmentation and dark spots, melasma flares, persistent redness, rosacea flares, and cumulative premature aging that shows up years later.
Winter skin damage is silent. There's no sunburn to signal overexposure. But those daily unprotected minutes add up and as a dermatologist, I see the result: skin cancer on the lips, ears, eyelids, back of the neck, and scalp. These are the spots people forget to apply sunscreen to.
Two easily overlooked areas and how to protect them:
- Scalp and hairline: An SPF powder like UV Clear SPF 46 gives real protection without touching your style or feeling heavy.
- Lips: Shiny lip glosses can actually magnify UV rays, making delicate lip skin more susceptible to damage. Switch to a lip balm with built in SPF. I recommend Pout Plump 30 for daily protection that still looks good.
4. Do I still need sunscreen if I'm mostly indoors?
Always. UVA rays pass directly through windows — car windshields, office glass, home windows. You don't have to be outside to accumulate exposure.
I frequently see asymmetrical sun damage in patients: more discoloration, fine lines, and loss of firmness on the side of the face that faces the window during their daily commute. It builds up over years without any single moment of obvious overexposure.
Skin does not reset each day. It records UV exposure over a lifetime. Winter is actually when daily habits make the biggest difference because most people have completely dropped their guard.
5. What SPF should I use in the winter?
The best sunscreen is the one you'll actually enjoy wearing. If it feels good, looks good, and fits your routine, you'll use it every day and consistent daily use is where the real protection comes from.
I always recommend SPF 30 or higher. My preference is mineral-based formulas with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, they don't cause the irritation that chemical sunscreens can, which matters especially for skin that's already more sensitive and reactive in winter.
Personally, I love a tinted SPF. Many tinted formulas contain iron oxides, which defend against visible light and help prevent pigmentation, a key concern for those with melasma, like myself. A good tinted SPF also evens out skin tone and adds a healthy glow without extra steps.
My winter go-to is HydraTint BB SPF 44 mineral protection, buildable tint, and real skincare benefits in one step. In winter, it doubles as a moisturizing base so you're not layering five products.
The Bottom Line on Sunscreen in Winter
If you commit to one skincare habit this season apply SPF every morning even in the winter, even on cloudy days, even when you don't think you'll be outside much. The sun may feel gentler in winter. The damage it causes is not.
Your future skin will show the difference.
Shop the SPF essentials Dr. Azi recommends for winter:
- HydraTint BB SPF 44 — mineral tinted SPF for daily protection + glow
- UV Clear SPF 46 — scalp and hairline protection in powder form
- Pout Plump 30 — SPF lip protection that replaces your daily gloss
Frequently Asked Questions: Sunscreen in Winter
Does the ozone layer affect how much UV reaches skin in winter?
Yes. The ozone layer is actually thinnest during winter months, which allows more UV radiation to reach the earth's surface. Combined with snow reflection, this makes winter UV exposure higher than most people expect.
Does sunscreen expire faster in cold weather?
No. Sunscreen expiration is based on chemical stability over time, not storage temperature. Check your expiration date and replace every 1–2 years regardless of season.
Can I use the same sunscreen in winter that I use in summer?
Yes the SPF level you need doesn't change by season. In winter, you may prefer a richer or more hydrating formula. A tinted option like HydraTint BB SPF 44 works as both sunscreen and a moisturizing base, which makes the routine simpler when skin is drier.
Is SPF 15 enough in the winter?
No. Dermatologists recommend a minimum of SPF 30 year-round. SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of UVB rays SPF 30 blocks approximately 97%. Applied daily over years, that difference in cumulative protection is significant.
Should I reapply sunscreen in winter if I'm mostly indoors?
If you're truly indoors away from windows most of the day, your morning application is typically sufficient. If you're near large windows, commuting, or spending time outdoors during peak UV hours (10am–4pm), reapply every 2 hours.
What's the best sunscreen for dry winter skin?
Look for a mineral-based formula with hydrating ingredients. HydraTint BB SPF 44 provides broad-spectrum mineral protection while supporting the skin barrier addressing the two biggest winter skin concerns in one product.
