Driving & UV: Do Car Windows Block Sun in Pakistan?

Many people assume that sitting in a car protects them from the sun, but car windows do not block all ultraviolet light. Windscreens are laminated and block most UV, but side and rear windows are often toughened glass that lets a large share of UVA through. Over years, drivers can show more sun damage on the side next to the window. This guide explains what glass blocks, what it does not and how to protect your skin on Pakistan’s roads.

Key takeaways

Car windscreens block most UV, but side windows often let a lot of UVA through
UVA causes ageing, pigment and some skin cancers, even when you do not feel heat or burn
Sunscreen on exposed skin, window film and a hat or sleeves help on long drives
Reapply on long journeys, and protect arms, hands and the side of the face next to the window

What kinds of UV reach you in a car?

Sunlight contains UVB, which causes sunburn, and UVA, which penetrates deeper and drives photoageing, uneven pigment and some skin cancers. Ordinary glass blocks most UVB but lets UVA pass. A review of the current status of photoprotection by window glass, automobile glass, window films and sunglasses explains that windscreens are laminated and block most UVA, while side windows are often tempered glass that transmits a significant share. You do not feel UVA as heat or burning, which is why people underestimate it.

Tinted windows reduce visible light and heat, but tint does not necessarily block UVA. Only glass or film specifically rated for UV blocking does that.

Is there evidence that drivers get more damage?

Reports and studies of drivers have found more sun damage on the side of the body and face that sits next to the driver’s window, such as the left face and arm in countries where people drive on the left. A study of asymmetrical facial skin ageing used this pattern to assess cumulative UVA exposure. These observations support the idea that long daily drives add up over years, especially for people with long commutes, delivery drivers, taxi and rickshaw drivers and anyone who sits near a window.

Glass type	UVB	UVA	What it means
Laminated windscreen	Mostly blocked	Mostly blocked	Good protection
Tempered side window	Mostly blocked	Large share passes	Exposed side of face and arm
Tinted window (no UV rating)	Mostly blocked	Passes	Heat reduced, UVA not necessarily
UV-rated window film	Blocked	Mostly blocked	Better protection
Open window	Not blocked	Not blocked	Full exposure
Sunroof	Varies	Varies	Check rating

How should you protect your skin when driving?

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to the face, neck, ears and the backs of the hands before you leave, and reapply on long drives, particularly if you drive for hours in daylight. The American Academy of Dermatology advises applying sunscreen generously and reapplying every two hours when outdoors. Consider UV-blocking window film, which is available in many shops, and sunglasses with UV protection. Keep a light long-sleeved shirt or arm sleeves for long drives, and use a wide-brimmed hat when you step out.

Sunscreen on face, neck, ears and hands before driving
Reapply on long drives or after sweating
UV-blocking window film where legal
UV-protective sunglasses
Light sleeves or arm covers on long trips

What about two-wheelers, rickshaws and open vehicles?

On motorbikes, rickshaws, open vans and when walking, nothing blocks the sun except what you wear. Helmets cover the head but not the face unless they have a visor, and the nose, cheeks and neck remain exposed. Wear sunscreen, a scarf or neck gaiter, long sleeves and gloves where practical. If you wear a helmet or mask, keep the inside clean and wash it regularly, since sweat and friction can cause breakouts; see hijab, helmet and mask breakouts.

Our guides on dust, traffic and your skin in Karachi and sunscreen for oily skin cover pollution and sunscreen texture for long days on the road.

What else matters for drivers?

Heat in a parked car can be very high, so do not leave products such as sunscreens, serums or retinoids in the car, since heat degrades them. Wipe sweat before reapplying sunscreen, since it can wash away protection. If your skin gets oily from the heat and traffic, use a light, non-comedogenic sunscreen. At night, cleanse thoroughly to remove sunscreen, dust and pollution.

The Hydration Moisturizer is a light daily moisturizer that fits under sunscreen; introduce it slowly after a patch test, and keep sunscreen as the last morning step.

Habit	Why it matters	Tip
Sunscreen before leaving	UVA passes through side windows	Face, neck, ears, hands
Reapplication on long drives	Protection wears off	Keep a small tube in the car door, not the sun
UV-blocking film	Reduces UVA through glass	Check legal rules
Sunglasses	Protect eyes and eyelids	UV400 label
Long sleeves or arm covers	Protect the window-side arm	Light cotton
Cleanse at night	Remove dust and sunscreen	Gentle cleanser

When should you see a doctor?

See a doctor if you notice a spot, mole or patch that changes, bleeds, itches or does not heal, especially on the side of the face or arm next to your usual window. Drivers and outdoor workers have higher cumulative sun exposure, and regular skin checks are sensible.

What about children, passengers and parked cars?

Passengers in the back seat sit beside side windows that transmit UVA, and children’s skin is more sensitive, so use sunscreen, hats and window shades for family trips. Sunshades on the rear windows reduce glare and some UV. Never leave children or pets in a parked car in Pakistan’s heat, since temperatures inside rise to dangerous levels within minutes. After parking, wipe your steering wheel and seat belt buckle if they are hot to avoid burns, and keep a small bottle of water in the shade, not in direct sun.

If your daily commute is long, plan sunscreen reapplication at the destination, in the car park or at your desk before stepping out again.

What mistakes do drivers make?

Believing that a cloudy day or air conditioning means no UV, forgetting sunscreen on hands and the window-side arm, applying it only to the face, relying on tinted windows for UV protection and not reapplying after a long drive are the common ones. Another is thinking that dark skin does not need protection, when sun still darkens marks and ages skin in every tone. A simple habit, sunscreen on face and hands every morning, covers most of it.

Can window film or sunglasses be enough?

Window film and sunglasses reduce exposure but do not replace sunscreen, because they do not protect the skin on your hands, neck and arms fully, and some films fade over time. A review of window glass and film protection notes that performance varies and that proper UV ratings matter. Use them as part of layered protection: film, sunglasses, sleeves and sunscreen.

One last habit: keep a small tube of sunscreen in your bag, not in the car, and put it on before you start the engine. It takes thirty seconds and protects the skin that spends the most hours in the sun.

Frequently asked questions

Do car windows block UV?

Windscreens block most UV, but side and rear windows often let a lot of UVA through.

Can you get sunburn in a car?

UVB is mostly blocked, but UVA still reaches you and contributes to ageing and pigment, and open windows give full exposure.

Do tinted windows protect from UV?

Not necessarily. Tint reduces visible light and heat. Only UV-rated glass or film blocks UVA well.

Should I wear sunscreen when driving?

Yes, especially on long daily drives, and on the side next to the window.

Does window film help?

UV-blocking film can reduce UVA transmission. Check that it is legal and properly rated.

Where do drivers get most sun damage?

On the side of the face, neck and arm nearest the window.

Is sunscreen needed on a motorbike?

Yes. Helmets do not cover the whole face, so use sunscreen and cover your neck and arms.

When should I see a dermatologist?

If a spot changes, bleeds, itches or does not heal.

Sources

Almutawa F et al.. Current status of photoprotection by window glass, automobile glass, window films, and sunglasses. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2013. PubMed 23458389
Mac-Mary S et al.. Assessment of cumulative exposure to UVA through the study of asymmetrical facial skin aging. Clin Interv Aging. 2010. PubMed 20924436
Abdel Azim S et al.. Sunscreens part 1: Mechanisms and efficacy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025. PubMed 38772426
American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs

A gentle reminder

Skincare helps the look and feel of your skin; it does not treat medical conditions. Patch test any new product behind the ear or on the inner arm first, and introduce one new active at a time. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have a skin condition such as eczema, ask your doctor before adding active ingredients. See our FAQ for more, or build your own routine.