Across Indian cities, something predictable happens every November. The sun feels softer, the mornings turn misty, and sunscreen quietly disappears from daily routines. People assume the absence of heat
means the absence of harm.
Yet dermatologists say this is one of the biggest seasonal mistakes Indians make. Winter is the period when people lower their guard, but the invisible ultraviolet rays keep working on the skin exactly when no one is paying attention.
What is making doctors uneasy is not just the lack of sunscreen, but the growing mismatch between public perception and scientific reality. Winter may feel pleasant, but the ultraviolet exposure does not drop enough to keep Indian skin safe. Research, clinic patterns, and atmospheric data show that winter skin damage is real, and it is rising.
Indian Studies Show Poor Sunscreen Habits
India does not yet have a large national survey measuring seasonal sunscreen habits, but existing research shows that Indians under use sunscreen throughout the year, with winter being the period of maximum neglect.
A study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology by Agarwal and colleagues found that while most Indians know sunscreen prevents tanning, very few use it correctly. People apply it only on the face, skip the neck, ignore arms, and rarely use the recommended quantity.
Another Karnataka study among college students reported extremely low awareness of correct application techniques and very poor reapplication habits. National sun protection research led by Zhao in 2023 further revealed that Indians prefer shade and clothing, and treat sunscreen as optional, not foundational.
Dermatologists say this pattern becomes more extreme in winter, when people assume cloudy skies and cold weather shield them from UV exposure. In reality, these conditions only disguise the radiation, not reduce it meaningfully.
UVA Stays Almost Constant Throughout the Year
To understand the winter UV paradox, it helps to separate warmth from ultraviolet radiation. Warmth is felt through infrared light. The burn and tan come from UVB. The long term damage like wrinkles, pigmentation, collagen loss and photo ageing comes from UVA.
In winter, UVB exposure dips slightly because of the sun’s angle. But UVA remains nearly constant across all seasons in India. It penetrates cloud cover, haze and even glass. It is strong enough to cause damage on overcast days, early mornings, and mild afternoons. That is why dermatologists warn that Indian skin cannot take a seasonal holiday from sunscreen.
When Pollution Makes UV Even Worse
Winter in North and Central India brings its own atmospheric complication. Pollution peaks between November and January, especially in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru outskirts, Mumbai and parts of Tamil Nadu. Many assume pollution blocks sunlight. But scientific work on aerosols shows a more complicated interaction.
Air pollution can scatter light in such a way that UV rays reach the skin from multiple angles. The light becomes more diffuse, tricking the eye because the day looks dim while the radiation continues hitting the skin.
At the same time, pollution weakens the skin’s natural barrier. It increases oxidative stress, makes the surface inflamed, and reduces repair capacity. When this stressed skin meets unprotected UV exposure, pigmentation and irritation increase sharply. Dermatologists regularly report spikes in melasma, tanning, and sunlight allergy during cooler months for exactly this reason.
What an Indian Dermatologist Says
Dr Rashmi Sriram, Consultant Dermatologist at Fortis Hospital, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, says the confusion about winter sun protection begins with a basic misconception. She explains that many people believe sunscreen is needed only in harsh, summer sunlight.
One common concept that people believe is sunscreen is for sunny days. But UV rays are prevalent throughout the year. More colder the weather is, more UV rays are present.
Dr Rashmi breaks the science into simple terms. Ultraviolet rays have three types. UVC is filtered completely by the ozone layer. UVA and UVB reach the earth. UVA causes ageing and UVB causes skin burns. Sunscreen is the most important thing to protect skin from these rays, but no sunscreen stays effective for more than three hours, she says.
She also warns that choosing the right sunscreen matters. For indoor workers, SPF 30 can be sufficient, but because most people under apply, SPF 50 is safer for Indian skin. A good sunscreen filters ninety percent of ultraviolet radiation.
On under application, she adds that most people use barely a pea sized dot when proper protection requires two fingertip lengths of sunscreen for the face and neck. She also cautions against sunscreen sprays and sticks because it is impossible to know how much product is being applied, and research on their effectiveness remains limited.
Creams suit dry skin, gels suit oily skin, and mineral sunscreens help sensitive skin. She concludes by saying she sees more sunlight allergy cases in winter, with patients developing itchy, reactive patches on exposed areas.
Why Dermatologists Are Seeing More Winter Damage
Doctors across India report similar observations. Many patients walk in during December and January with pigmentation, tan lines, flare ups of melasma, and itchy sun rashes. People assume this is a winter allergy, while the root cause is unprotected UVA exposure on already irritated skin.
Cooler months encourage morning walks, picnics, outdoor travel and terrace activities. But because the air feels soft, people skip sunscreen at the exact moment they need it.
Why Sunscreen Must Be A Year Round Habit
Dermatologists repeatedly emphasise that Indian skin tones, climates and latitudes demand continuous sun protection. Winter clouds do not block UVA. Pollution does not protect the skin.
Cool air does not mean weak radiation. For India, where winter temperatures are mild compared to Western countries, ultraviolet exposure continues daily, even when the sun appears soft.
A consistent, correct application of sunscreen on exposed areas is the only reliable shield. Indian research, atmospheric science and clinic experience all align on this point. Winter is not the break the skin expects. And skipping sunscreen for three or four months every year accumulates into years of preventable damage.
Winter sunlight feels kind but behaves differently. The radiation that ages skin, deepens pigmentation and triggers irritation does not reduce enough to justify skipping sunscreen.
Pollution, reflection and haze only make it more unpredictable. Doctors across India are seeing the impact in clinics, especially among people who stop sunscreen during November to February.
The simplest winter rule is also the most practical. If sunlight reaches your skin, sunscreen must reach it first.
