Sunscreen in winter: do you need SPF when it’s cloudy?
Should you use sunscreen in winter in Denmark? Here you’ll find answers about what the UV index says, when a day cream with SPF is enough, and when you should pack sunscreen.
In winter, the sun is so low in the sky in Denmark that you can hardly get sunburnt. Even so, many people use a day cream with SPF all year round. Here’s why, so you can decide for yourself.
In brief
- On a typical winter day in Denmark, the sun is too weak to cause sunburn. The Danish Health Authority recommends sun protection when the UV index is 3 or higher.
- The part of sunlight that contributes to skin ageing is still present. If you want to look after your skin all year round, a day cream with SPF is an easy habit.
- On a ski holiday or a sunny holiday: Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply during the day.
Do you need sunscreen in winter in Denmark?
Not to avoid sunburn on a typical winter day. The Danish Health Authority recommends protecting yourself from the sun when the UV index is 3 or higher. In Denmark, that is typically only between 12 and 15 from April to September1.
On a winter day, the UV index in Denmark is no higher than 12. Even so, many people choose a day cream with SPF all year round. It’s not about sunburn, but about the rays that contribute to skin ageing and pigmentation spots.
What is the difference between UVA and UVB in winter?
Sunlight contains two types of invisible rays that reach the skin. UVB rays cause sunburn. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature ageing2.
When the sun is low in the sky, as it is in Denmark in winter, UVB rays become much weaker, while UVA rays weaken far less. So you’ll rarely get sunburnt on a grey January day, but some UVA is present whenever it’s light outside. Cold doesn’t change the rays, and thin clouds don’t block much of them. Only heavy, dark clouds stop almost all of them2.
Myth or fact?
The sun can reach your skin through a window.
Fact. Window glass blocks almost all UVB, but a large proportion of UVA rays pass through.
SPF 20 in day cream and SPF 15 in foundation add up to SPF 35.
Myth. Two layers don’t add the factors together. What counts is applying enough of the product with SPF.
You can’t get sunburnt in winter.
Myth. You’ll rarely get sunburnt on a grey day in Denmark, but you certainly can on a ski holiday in the mountains. So pack your sunscreen.
Why use SPF every day when the sun is weak?
Because it’s the regular habit that makes a difference to your skin over time. You don’t have to think about the weather when SPF is already part of your day cream.
Did you know?
Adults who applied sunscreen every day for four and a half years had less sun-damaged skin than those who only applied it occasionally3. That was in sunny Australia, but the point applies in Denmark too: It’s the regular habit that counts.
If you have pigmentation spots or melasma, sunscreen every day is especially important, even when it’s cloudy. Read more in our guide to pigmentation spots.
And if you sit close to a window for much of the day, remember that ordinary window glass blocks almost all UVB, but only about a third of UVA2. If you use retinol or fruit acids, also follow the sun protection instructions on the product.
Is a day cream with SPF enough in winter?
On a typical winter day in Denmark: yes, if you apply enough and cover your entire face. A day cream with SPF and UVA protection provides the level of protection stated on the tube when you use the amount specified on the product.
For your face, you’ll need about a teaspoon, equivalent to a line along your index and middle fingers4. Most people apply much less, so the protection is lower than the number on the tube5. Spread the cream all the way to your hairline and ears and down over your neck.
| Day cream with SPF | Sunscreen | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Everyday use and short trips outside | Ski holidays, sunny holidays and long days outdoors |
| Texture | Like your regular cream, with moisture | Light and often water-resistant |
| How to use it | As the last step in your morning routine | Before you go out, and again during the day |
| Choose it if | you want moisture and protection in one step. | you’ll be outside for a long time, or the sun is high in the sky. |
Want to know more about when day cream is enough and when you need to apply sunscreen on top? Read Is day cream with SPF enough?
How well do you actually cover your face when you apply it? Researchers photographed people with a UV camera after they had applied day cream with SPF and sunscreen6. Guess what they found.
Which covered more of the face?
- Day cream with SPF
- Sunscreen
- There was no difference
With sunscreen, people missed around 11 % of their face; with day cream with SPF, around 17 %. It’s not the cream that’s failing. It’s us missing spots.
Which area was most often missed?
- The eyelids
- The forehead
- The chin
The area around the eyes was most often missed. Follow the product’s instructions for the eye area, and wear sunglasses in strong sunlight.
Did people know they had missed spots?
- Yes, most people knew
- Only those who used sunscreen
- No, they thought they had covered everything
Most people thought they had covered their entire face. So take your time and look in the mirror when you apply it.
When should you use sunscreen in winter?
When you’re going on a ski holiday, a sunny holiday or spending a long time outside in strong sunlight. In high mountain areas, the UV index can reach 202. On top of that, snow reflects the rays, so you’re exposed to even more radiation7.
If you’re heading south for a winter holiday, use sunscreen with at least SPF 301. The closer you get to the equator, the stronger the sun is, even outside the midday hours.
Apply sunscreen before you go out and reapply during the day. Don’t forget your lips: A lip balm with at least SPF 30 protects them4. And wear sunglasses when the sun is shining on the snow.
Our tip
Pack sunscreen with at least SPF 30, a lip balm with SPF and sunglasses for your ski holiday. Put the sunscreen in your jacket pocket so you have it close at hand during your lunch break.
Do you get vitamin D from the sun in winter?
No, not in Denmark. From October to April, the sun in Denmark isn’t strong enough for the skin to produce vitamin D, and sunscreen generally doesn’t lead to vitamin D deficiency8.
So your day cream with SPF doesn’t deprive you of vitamin D in winter. Instead, the Danish Health Authority recommends that adults and children over 4 take a supplement of 10 µg vitamin D a day from October to April.
How does SPF fit into your winter routine?
Make day cream with SPF the last step in the morning, and give your skin extra moisture in the evening. If you use both day cream and sunscreen, sunscreen comes last. Many people notice that their skin gets drier in winter, when it’s cold outside and warm indoors.
- Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser.
- Serum (optional): spread a few drops and let it absorb.
- Apply plenty of day cream with SPF to your face and neck.
- Check your hairline, ears and eye area.
- Cleanse the day cream and the day off your skin.
- Finish with your night cream.
If your skin feels dry and tight, see our guide to dry facial skin too. And if you’re unsure which products suit your skin, take the short test below.
Find your routine
What should your routine help with most? Pick here and we find your routine.
- Answer a few short questions
- Get your personal routine
- Save 20 % on 3 different products from the routine
Find SPF for winter with us
For everyday use, you can choose Day Cream SPF 20 (Day Cream SPF 20), a moisturising day cream that is also available fragrance-free. For ski holidays, sunny holidays and long days outdoors, you can choose Sunscreen Face with SPF 30 or 50 or Daily Sun Shield SPF 50 (Daily Sun Shield) with SPF 50. Both sunscreens are fragrance-free. And if you’re not happy with your purchase, you’re covered by our 100 % satisfaction guarantee.
Day Cream SPF 20
Face cream with SPF 20 that moisturises, strengthens the skin’s collagen and ...
Sunscreen Face
Fragrance-free face sunscreen with SPF 30 or 50 that is water-resistant and a...
Daily Sun Shield SPF 50
Fragrance-free sunscreen face with sun protection factor 50 that is very wate...
Frequently asked questions
Can you get sunburnt in winter?
In Denmark, rarely on a typical winter day. On a ski holiday in the mountains or a sunny holiday in the south, you certainly can, so use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 there.
Is it good to use sunscreen every day?
For most people, it’s a good habit, especially on the face, and easiest when SPF is part of your day cream. Choose a product you want to use every morning. Regular use is what counts.
Should I use SPF when I’m indoors?
If you sit far from the windows, there isn’t much sun to protect yourself from. If you sit close to a window for most of the day, a day cream with SPF is an easy habit, because some UVA can pass through the glass.
What SPF should I use in winter?
On a typical winter day, a day cream with SPF is fine if you apply enough. In the sun, for example on ski holidays and sunny holidays, the Danish Health Authority recommends at least SPF 30.
Can you get a tan while wearing sunscreen?
Yes, a little, because sunscreen doesn’t block all radiation. But a tan doesn’t protect your skin from sun damage, so don’t use sunscreen as a reason to stay in the sun longer7.
Can I use last summer’s sunscreen?
Check its shelf life. The packaging has a small open jar symbol with, for example, 12M, which tells you how many months the product lasts after opening7. If the sunscreen has separated, smells different or is too old, buy a new one.
Sources
- Sun protection. Danish Health Authority. sst.dk
- Fact sheet on ultraviolet radiation. Danish Health Authority, DMI, Danish Dermatological Society et al. 2025. sst.dk (pdf)
- Hughes MC et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2013. Annals of Internal Medicine
- How to apply sunscreen. American Academy of Dermatology. aad.org
- Petersen B, Wulf HC. Application of sunscreen – theory and reality. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2014. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine
- Lourenco EAJ et al. Application of SPF moisturisers is inferior to sunscreens in coverage of facial and eyelid regions. PLoS One. 2019. PLoS One
- Sunscreen and sun safety. NHS. nhs.uk
- Fact sheet on the sun and vitamin D. Danish Health Authority et al. 2025. sst.dk (pdf)