It’s a very common belief — and partly true. Car windscreens do reduce sunburn risk, but they do not protect your skin from long-term UV damage. Let's dive deeper on why that is...
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and yet the car is one place many of us still don’t think twice about sun exposure.
I made it to my mid-50s without really worrying about the sun exposure I was getting while driving. It wasn’t until I started noticing the dark spots on the backs of my hands and the sun blazing in the windscreen directly onto them, that I connected the dots!
You might not burn while driving, but UVA damage still happens — and in Australia, those small, everyday exposures add up.
Windscreens and UV rays
There are two types of UV rays. UVB rays are the rays that cause visible sunburn. Most car front windscreens are made from laminated glass, which blocks nearly all UVB. That’s why you usually don’t burn sitting behind the windscreen, even on long drives.
On the other hand, windscreens let a lot of UVA rays through. And UVA rays behave very differently. They penetrate deeper into the skin and are strongly linked to premature ageing and skin cancer. UVA rays don’t cause immediate redness or pain, so damage happens slowly and without warning.
Now you might be thinking, aren't windshields tinted?
But aren't windscreens tinted?
Most car windscreens in Australia are made from laminated glass. This is a safety feature designed to prevent shattering, and it does block nearly all UVB rays.
However, laminated glass is not designed as a dedicated UVA barrier. While it reduces some UVA, a significant amount can still pass through. This exposure is easy to miss because UVA does not cause immediate redness or discomfort.
Based on our research, UVA-blocking tinting is not permitted on full car windscreens in Australia, except for a narrow tinted strip at the top of the windshield in some states. As a result, most windscreens rely solely on the inherent properties of laminated glass for some UV reduction (mainly UVB).
In contrast, side and rear windows can legally be tinted with UV-protective films.
If you’re unsure what protection your car has, it’s worth checking:
- Whether your side windows are tinted
- What type of film is installed
- Whether it’s designed to block UVA, not just reduce glare
Side windows are a different story
Side and rear windows are usually made from tempered glass, not laminated glass. Tempered glass still blocks most UVB, but it allows an even higher proportion of UVA rays to pass straight through.
This difference in glass type helps explain why long-term sun damage and skin cancers are more commonly found on the driver’s side of the body, particularly on the arm, hand, face and neck closest to the window.
In Australia, many cars do have window tinting on side windows. Tinting can reduce UVA exposure, but the level of protection varies depending on the tint quality, age, and whether it complies with road regulations.
Direct and reflected sun inside the car
Drivers and passengers are often in direct sun, not just filtered light.
Sun frequently shines through side windows, especially when it sits low in the sky during morning and afternoon commutes. UV rays are also reflected off the bonnet, road and surrounding surfaces, increasing exposure from the front and below.
The backs of your hands are particularly vulnerable. When your hands rest on the steering wheel, they are often the closest part of your body to the sun and receive repeated, direct UVA exposure day after day — often without sunscreen.
Myth vs Fact: Sun exposure in the car
Myth: I don’t need sun protection in the car because the windscreen blocks UV.
Fact: Windscreens block most UVB, but UVA still penetrates glass, including through the windshield and especially through side windows. UVA damage is cumulative, invisible, and happens during everyday driving.
Myth: If I’m not getting sunburnt, my skin isn’t being damaged.
Fact: UVA rays don’t cause immediate redness or pain. Skin damage builds up silently over time, particularly on the driver’s side hand, arm, face and neck.
Myth: Window glass and tinting provide consistent protection all day.
Fact: UV exposure changes constantly with sun angle, reflections, time of day and window position. Tinting reduces UV but does not remove it entirely.
In summary
| UV type | What it does | How car glass blocks it | What this means |
|---|---|---|---|
| UVB (burning rays) |
Causes visible sunburn | Mostly blocked by: – Laminated glass (front windscreens) – Tempered glass (side & rear windows) |
This is why people usually don’t get sunburnt through car windows. |
| UVA (ageing & cancer-linked rays) |
Penetrates deeper into the skin Causes cumulative, long-term damage |
Not blocked well by standard glass: – Laminated windscreens block some UVA, but not all – Tempered side & rear windows allow a large proportion of UVA through |
Skin can be damaged over time without burning or warning signs. |
What helps: a layered approach for driving
A SunSmart approach to driving combines sunscreen for longer trips with a physical barrier for everyday driving, where reapplication is easy to forget.
IceRays Hand Covers are especially useful for driving because they protect the backs of the hands — one of the most sun-exposed areas in the car. When your hands are on the steering wheel, they are positioned close to side windows and often sit in direct sun for extended periods.
IceRays Arm Sleeves protect your right arm that is exposed through the side window.
For long trips, share a pair with your passenger so you each have a sleeve for the arm closest to the window!
Fantastic for truck drivers, delivery drivers, commuters, or anyone who spends time in the car.
Leave a pair of IceRays UV Sleeves and Hand Covers in the glove box and slip them on every time you can feel that sun burning through the window.
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