SPF & WFH: Why Your Daily SPF Habit Never Takes a Day Off
It’s easy to believe that once you’ve settled into your home office for the day, your skin is safe. You’ve avoided the harsh midday sun, you’re not sweating at the pool, and you’re certainly not getting sunburned. But here at Muse, we know that great skin health is built on consistency, and that means your SPF habit must be a 365-day commitment, regardless of the weather outside or the room you’re in.
If you work from home, or simply spend most of your day inside, here are the two critical reasons your skin is still under attack—and why you need to apply SPF every single morning.
The Window Threat: UVA Rays Penetrate Glass
While the glass in your windows is great at blocking UVB rays (the ones that primarily cause sunburn), it is ineffective at blocking UVA rays. UVA rays are the aging rays. They penetrate deep into the dermis—the inner layer of your skin—and are the primary cause of:
Collagen and Elastin Breakdown: Leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin laxity.
Hyperpigmentation: Worsening brown spots, melasma, and sun damage.
If your desk is near a window, or if you spend time relaxing near one, your skin is getting a constant dose of aging UVA radiation. Wearing a broad-spectrum mineral SPF creates a physical shield against this constant, low-level exposure.
The Screen Threat: The Problem with Blue Light (HEV)
Your phone, laptop, tablet, and monitor emit a form of high-energy visible light (HEV), commonly known as Blue Light. While the amount of HEV from a single screen is small compared to the sun, the cumulative exposure from staring at multiple devices all day is significant. Research suggests that HEV light can penetrate the skin deeper than UV rays and may contribute to:
Free Radical Damage: Generating unstable molecules that break down collagen.
Pigmentation & Melasma: Worsening discoloration, especially in those prone to melasma.
Inflammation: Increasing overall stress on the skin.
This means that even if you sit in a windowless room, your phone and computer are actively working against your anti-aging efforts. Many medical-grade sunscreens, like those from ZO Skin Health, & Alastin, now contain triple-spectrum protection specifically formulated to block HEV light in addition to UVA/UVB rays.
Muse’s Indoor Mandate: Stop thinking of SPF as just a vacation essential—think of it as a crucial step in your daily anti-aging regimen. To truly protect the investment you make in treatments like injectables and lasers, you must shield your skin from both window light and screen light.
Action Item: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every single morning, regardless of whether you leave the house. Your future skin will thank you!