When people think of sun damage, they often imagine a beach day gone wrong—red, peeling skin after hours under direct sunlight. But what if I told you that harmful UV rays are affecting your skin even when you don’t feel it?
Many people believe only direct sun exposure causes damage, but in reality, daylight, reflective surfaces, and even indoor light contribute to premature aging and pigmentation.
Let’s set the record straight by breaking down common myths about sun exposure and what you really need to know to protect your skin:
❌ Myth 1: Only direct sunlight causes skin damage.
✅ Fact: Daylight—even on cloudy days—can cause UV damage.
You don’t need to be basking in full sun for UV rays to affect your skin. UVA and UVB rays penetrate through clouds, fog, and even car and office windows, meaning damage happens even when you don’t feel the heat. Studies show that more than 80% of UV rays pass through clouds, making overcast days just as harmful as sunny ones.
Key takeaway: Always wear broad-spectrum SPF, even when the sun isn’t shining.
❌ Myth 2: If you don’t burn, you’re not getting sun damage.
✅ Fact: UVA rays cause long-term aging—even without sunburn.
Sunburn is a visible sign of UVB damage, but UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, breaking down collagen and causing wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and uneven pigmentation.
Think of it this way: UVB burns, UVA ages—and both lead to long-term damage even if you don’t see immediate effects.
Key takeaway: Sun protection isn’t just about avoiding burns—it’s about preventing premature aging and maintaining healthy skin long-term.
❌ Myth 3: You’re safe from UV damage indoors.
✅ Fact: UVA rays penetrate windows, and blue light can contribute to skin stress.
Sitting near a window? UVA rays can pass through glass, meaning exposure happens even indoors. While UVB rays (the ones that burn) don’t get through, UVA rays, which accelerate aging and pigmentation, do.
Even more surprising? Blue light (HEV light) from screens and indoor lighting can contribute to oxidative stress and pigmentation over time.
That said, getting daylight exposure is still important for vitamin D production and overall well-being—just make sure to wear SPF for protection!
Key takeaway from this Winnipeg Skin Clinic: If you’re near a window or in front of screens for hours a day, apply broad-spectrum SPF with blue light protection.
❌ Myth 4 : SPF is only necessary when spending hours outside.
✅ Fact: UV exposure adds up over time, even in small doses.
Think about your daily routine. Walking from the car to work, sitting by a window, working in front of a screen or under indoor lighting, running errands—these moments of exposure add up over the years, leading to cumulative damage.
Even a few minutes of daily exposure without SPF can contribute to premature aging over time.
Key takeaway: Make SPF a daily habit, just like brushing your teeth. Look for a formula with broad-spectrum protection (and add antioxidant serum for an extra boost) to defend against environmental stressors.
Find Your Perfect SPF at a Winnipeg Skin Clinic
The good news? SPF options are more versatile than ever, catering to different skin types and lifestyles. One standout is Colorescience Flex SPF 50, offering buildable, foundation-like coverage—far more than just a tinted sunscreen. It lets you combine two steps into one for effortless protection and a flawless finish.
Prefer another multitasking formula? There are derm-approved sunscreens with built-in moisturizer, options for acne-prone skin, matte-fying powder, lip protection, and more! Check out this quick guide to find your perfect match.
Vitamin C + SPF: The Ultimate Skin Protection Duo
Did you know? You can boost the work of your SPF! Think of SPF as your bodyguard, blocking the UV rays that try to damage your skin. But some sneaky free radicals (unstable molecules from sun exposure and pollution) still manage to get through. That’s where Vitamin C comes in—it acts like a shield, neutralizing those free radicals before they can cause premature aging, dark spots, and collagen breakdown.
How Adding Vitamin C Works (and where to get it)
When UV rays hit your skin, they create oxidative stress, which speeds up wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin damage.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it fights this process by preventing them from breaking down your healthy skin cells. It also boosts collagen production and helps brighten your complexion, making it a powerful sidekick to sunscreen.
How to Get Vitamin C for Your Skin
🔬 Serums: The most effective way! A well-formulated Vitamin C serum (such as one with L-ascorbic acid) absorbs deep into the skin, working all day under your SPF to fight damage. Apply it in the morning before sunscreen for the best results to prevent damage before it happens.
At night, your skin naturally repairs itself while you sleep, and applying Vitamin C again boosts collagen production and fades pigmentation during this process.
In food: While eating Vitamin C-rich foods (such as oranges, bell peppers, and strawberries) supports overall skin health, it doesn’t replace topical Vitamin C for sun protection.
In professional treatments: Give your skin a monthly refresh with a professional-grade Vitamin C treatment delivered in a facial. Especially in summer, when increased daylight exposure can lead to dullness and sun damage, an extra boost helps maintain radiance and resilience all season long.
Using SPF alone is great, but pairing it with Vitamin C supercharges your sun protection, keeping your skin brighter, healthier, and more resilient in the long run!
Protect Your Skin Every Day—Not Just in the Sun
Sun protection isn’t just about avoiding sunburn—it’s about preserving your skin’s health, elasticity, and even tone for the long run. Whether it’s cloudy, snowy, or even indoors, daily SPF is a non-negotiable if you want to keep your skin looking youthful and protected.