Fall Sun Protection: Why You Shouldn't Quit SPF in September
Cooler weather, persistent UVA.
Up to 80% of UV rays pass through clouds, and UVA — the deeper, aging wavelength — stays fairly constant across seasons, so fall exposure is easy to underestimate.
Dermatologists warn that the biggest fall risk is complacency: as temperatures drop people stop applying SPF, even though UVA reaches the skin through cloud and glass all autumn long.
Questions we get a lot
Do I still need sunscreen in the fall?
Yes. While UVB (the burning ray) eases as summer ends, UVA — which drives aging and contributes to skin cancer — stays fairly constant year-round and passes through clouds and windows. Keep applying daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on exposed skin through autumn.
Is sunscreen necessary on cloudy days?
Yes. Up to 80% of UV rays pass through clouds, and UVA — the deeper-penetrating, aging wavelength — stays fairly constant regardless of cloud cover. A cool, overcast fall day can still deliver enough UV to damage skin, so daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is recommended.
Does UVA come through windows in the fall?
Yes. UVA passes through standard glass, so you're exposed near windows at home, at work and while driving — and unlike UVB, it doesn't drop off much in autumn. That's why dermatologists recommend keeping daily sunscreen in your routine even as the days get cooler.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'Do I really still need sunscreen every day once the weather cools off in fall?'