Do you wear sunscreen while driving?
In case you’re thinking:
“Come on, Gio, I don’t need sunscreen while driving. The windshields are enough to protect me” or
“But I’m only driving a short distance – like, 10 minutes tops. Why would I put on sunscreen for that?”
Think again.
Driving without sunscreen – for 10 minutes or one hour – can make one side of the face age faster than the other. Here’s what I mean:
- What Is Sunscreen And While Do You Need It?
- Your Left Side Of The Face Is More Prone To Skin Cancer
- Does Driving Increases Your Chances Of Skin Cancer?
- Can UV Rays Penetrate Car Windows?
- Who Should Wear Sunscreen While Driving?
- How To Protect Your Skin While Driving
- What Are The Best Sunscreens To Use While Driving?
- The Bottom Line
What Is Sunscreen And While Do You Need It?
Before we talk about wearing sunscreen while driving, here’s a quick reminder why you need sunscreen at all. The sun emits two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB rays:
“UVA rays have a longer wavelength and are more associated with skin aging because they penetrate the skin more deeply,” says medical and cosmetic dermatologist, DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD. “UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and are more associated with suntans, sunburns, and blisters.”
When UV rays hit your skin, the UV filters in your sunscreens absorb them and covert them into a less damaging form of energy (heat) that prevents all that damage from happening to your skin in the first place.
But do you need to wear sunscreen while driving? Don’t car windows keep your skin safe enough? Mmmm….
Your Left Side Of The Face Is More Prone To Skin Cancer
Did you know your left side of the face is more prone to skin cancer?
It’s true. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has confirmed “an increase in photodamage and precancers on the left side of the face“.
The results are clear: in the US, 52.6% of skin cancers occurred on the left side, while 47.4% on the right side. When I mean skin cancer, I mean ALL types of skin cancer.
If we narrow it down to malignant melanoma (the WORST possible type of skin cancer), the figures go up. A staggering 74% of them occurred on the left side, while “only” 26% on the right one.
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Does Driving Increases Your Chances Of Skin Cancer?
Why does skin cancer prefer the left side?
Susan T. Butler, MD, coauthor of the study, suggests that “the increase in left-sided skin cancers may be from the UV exposure we get when driving a car“.
Think about it. The left side of your face is closer to the window and so most exposed to UV rays when driving.
(FYI, if you live in the UK and drive on the right side of the road, the opposite is true for you).
Can UV Rays Penetrate Car Windows?
Yes. Uv rays can and do penetrate through car windows – and it doesn’t matter what time of the year is either.
UV rays are present from the moment the sun comes up to the moment it comes down – even when the sun is hidden behind clouds. They can penetrate through windows and even be reflected on snow.
It’s true that most windshields today protect against sunburn-causing UVB rays, but UVA still get through them. Plus, all the other windows in your car provide no sun protection at all – unless you have them tinted with strong UV filters.
And that’s why studies find that the side of the face closer to the window is more prone to sun damage and skin cancer – especially if you’re a bus driver, a pilot, or someone who drives a lot.
Who Should Wear Sunscreen While Driving?
Everyone. Sunscreen isn’t just to prevent a sunburn. It also prevents wrinkles and cancer. Needless to say, the more sun exposure you get, the more damage your skin will suffer.
If you’re a bus driver, or someone who drives a lot for work, or even just commuting a couple of hours a day in your car, sunscreen is an absolute must.
But even if you don’t drive much, you’re still at risk. Drive 5 minutes today without sunscreen, 5 minutes tomorrow and by the end of the year, your left side will be more sun damaged than your right one. Pile on that sunscreen, ladies!
How To Protect Your Skin While Driving
- Wear sunscreen: Apply a generous dose of sunscreen before you get into your car and reapply it two or three times during the day. As you go through your day, you’ll brush sunscreen off your skin, towel dry it away, or its UV filters may start to lose effectiveness. When in doubt, reapply.
- Consider tinted windows: For extra protection, you may consider to install UV-tinted windows in your car – all over your car.
What Are The Best Sunscreens To Use While Driving?
You don’t need any special sunscreen while driving. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll use. So pick a lightweight formula you enjoy using and that’s easy to pile on without caking.
In case you’re wondering, here are my fave sunscreen options and recommendations:
- Dr Dennis Gross All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Suncreen SPF 50 PA++++ ($42.00): A zinc oxide sunscreen with soothing agents to protect skin from UV rays and soothe inflammation. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Nordstrom, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
- EltaMD UV Pure BroadSpectrum SPF 47 ($25.00): A wonderful, lightweight formula for oily skin that provides broad-spectrum protection without leaving a greasy, white mess. Available at Dermstore and Walmart
- La Roche Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Face Sunscreen SPF 60 ($19.99): Ideal for oily skin, this lightweight sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection and absorbs excess oil for a matte finish. Available at Boots, Dermstore, La Roche Posay, and Ulta.
- Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 / PA++++ ($69.00): A mineral sunscreen enriched with natural oils, soothing agents, and antioxidants to provide broad-spectrum protection, prevent wrinkles, and soothe inflammation. It rubs in well and isn’t greasy. Available at Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Murad, Sephora, SpaceNK an Ulta.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t matter if you’re driving for 5 minutes or for 1 hour, always put on sunscreen before getting into the car – even ifs you’re a passenger. Sunscreen while driving isn’t optional – it’s a necessity.
I believe sunscreen should be worn at all times, not just when driving. The sun isn’t kinder to you because you are taking the bus, train or walking.
Also I find the study odd in its conclusion of what side of the face is exposed to the sun based on whether one is in the US or the UK When I drive to work in the US, the sun is usually to my right with a shadow on my left. The opposite is true when I drive back home. So I think what side of your face is in danger depends more on which side the sun is on while you drive and not what part of the world you are in
The proof of how aging the sun can be was shown a while ago when a truck driver whose face was always exposed to the sun when he drove in the same direction had different degrees on aging on either side of his face. Article: http://m.livescience.com/20743-photo-sun-damage-skin-cancer.html
Nonie, I couldn’t agree more. Sunscreen should be worn at all times, except at night of course. However, most people don’t realise that you need to wear it while driving, thinking the glass is enough to block out UV rays. I thought this study may give them something to think about. And thank you for posting a link to that photo. It’s true, the sun damages all sides of the face in different degrees and you want to make sure you’re well-protected everywhere.
It’s true. Another reason it’s important to remember to wear sunscreen!
Apply it 30mins before you leave home. Apply it again a few minutes before you leave home. If you can safely do this, apply some again after about 30mins of driving on your left arm or any skin exposed on the left at a long red light, parked in a parking lot, wherever (NOT while driving!). One of my arms was seriously more tan than the other because of UV damage while driving. I’d have kept sunscreen in the car more often, but the heat in Florida can cause cars to get up to 200F inside, even if it’s only 85F outside. Ruins the sunscreen. Sometimes it gets so hot I can actually feel the oils on my skin cooking. x.x It’s not fun. So don’t forget!
BebeTaian, that’s some wonderful advice, thank you! We should apply sunscreen on any area exposed to the sun, not just the face, and do so often. Thanks for the remainder.
And it definitely wouldn’t be good to leave your sunscreen in a car when it’s that hot! I think it’s a good habit to keep a bottle in the car, but only if you can do so safely.
Everyone that is worried about the sun’s damage to their skin should look at our new product we call suncloths. Suncoths block UVA and UVB rays at over 90% and have a 50+ UPF rating. They are light weight and can be left attached to your seatbelt after you have left your car.
Edward, what a great idea! Thanks for sharing.