Experts Remind Sunscreen is Still Important Even if You Are More Active Indoors

Illustration of using sunscreen indoors. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Many people still think that sunscreen only needs to be used when doing outdoor activities or in direct sunlight.

In fact, the skin is still exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays even when it is indoors, in the car, or even when the weather is cloudy. The reason is that UVA rays have the ability to penetrate glass.

dr. Vera, M.Biomed (AAM), aesthetic doctor, emphasizes that sunscreen should be part of the daily routine, not just a complement when traveling outside the house.

"Many people think sunscreen is only needed when you are under the scorching sun. In fact, UVA rays can still penetrate the glass and hit the skin when we are indoors or driving. Therefore, sunscreen should be used every day, not only when you are outdoors," explained dr. Vera at Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, Saturday, August 1, 2026.

It's not enough to just wear it regularly, choosing the right sunscreen is also important. According to Dr. Vera, don't just stick to the SPF number, but also pay attention to whether the product provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB.

"When choosing sunscreen, don't just look at the SPF number. Choose a product with broad-spectrum protection to protect the skin from UVB and UVA rays. For daily activities, SPF 20 to 30 is enough if used correctly and reapplied every two to three hours. If you are more active outdoors, SPF 50 can be an option," he said.

dr. Vera added that mineral sunscreen can now be an interesting option, because its protection works immediately once applied to the skin.

"Mineral sunscreen works by reflecting UV rays so that the protection is immediately active after use. Now the formula is also more comfortable to use without leaving a white cast as was often feared in the past," he added.

Constant exposure to sunlight apparently is one of the main triggers of the appearance of early signs of aging. Dr. Cynthia Ayu, an aesthetic doctor, explained that UVA rays have a big part in this process because of its ability to penetrate deeper layers of the skin.

"Around 80 to 90 percent of early aging signs are influenced by exposure to sunlight, especially UVA. These rays can penetrate deeper into the skin and trigger wrinkles, spots, and reduced skin elasticity. Protection against UVA is as important as UVB," he added.

He also clarified the misconception that often circulates about SPF, namely the higher the number, the greater the difference in terms of protection.

"Many people think that the higher the SPF, the better the protection. In fact, SPF 20 is able to filter out about 95 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 is about 98 percent. The most important thing is to use enough sunscreen and reapply it periodically," explained dr. Cynthia.

Behind the development of modern sunscreen and skincare formulas, research is the key. One of the companies that are exploring this field is PT Mirai Group Japan, which presents a research-based technology platform through proprietary ingredients Acnobet and Hairen, as well as high-concentration 20 percent human recombinant peptide SH-Polypeptide 11 technology developed in Japan.

Andina Latief, Director of PT Mirai Group Japan, emphasized that his company's identity is not just a manufacturer of ordinary skincare products.

"We want to be known not only as a company that presents skincare products, but as a Japanese company that builds skincare technology through research, development, and manufacturing. What sets us apart is not a particular product, but the ability to develop new technologies that start from science," he said.

According to Andina, all these innovations are the foundation for the development of more effective and appropriate skin care products.

"For us, innovation does not stop at the laboratory. The value of a new technology is really realized when the results of research can be translated into products that provide real benefits to the community." concluded Andina.

One of the tangible manifestations of the research is present in Majestic Day Repair, a daily mineral sunscreen that combines Signal Block Technology, human-type HSP, and 3GF Complex.

In addition to protecting the skin from UV exposure, the formula is also designed to help maintain the skin barrier and support the daily skin repair process.