Ever since the pandemic started, most of us have started working from the relative comfort of our homes. While this has changed the way we work (and attend those long meetings that could have been an e-mail), it has also caused a shift in our skincare routine.

“A major mistake that people are making with skincare these days is skipping sunscreen as they’re not stepping out of the house,” says Dr. Geetika Mittal Gupta, dermatologist and founder of ISAAC Luxe clinics, “People say that they are ‘giving their skin a holiday’ by not applying anything on it, but that’s a big misconception. You need to have a skincare regime and it needs sunscreen, even on days when you’re not being exposed to the sun.”

MORE: How To Get Rid Of All Your Dry Skin Woes By Trying ‘Slugging’

Why do you need sunscreen indoors?

According to studies, the UV rays of the sun can penetrate through the glass of your windows and affect your skin in just 15 minutes. “You might think that you’re not getting exposed to the sun while sitting indoors, but it’s affecting your skin even then,” says Mittal Gupta, adding that this is why it’s important to wear sunblock even if you’re going to and fro in your car.

Aside from this, the blue light (or High Energy Visible light) that most electronic devices emit is also a major reason why you need to wear sunscreen while working from home.

“Most screens, like your phones and laptops, emit a blue light that can penetrate your skin and cause harm like UV rays,” says Mittal Gupta. In fact, it has been proven that blue light reaches deeper into the skin than UVA and UVB rays and can cause irreversible damage because of constant exposure. Blue light from your screens can cause uneven pigmentation and premature ageing of the skin.

How many times should I apply sunscreen while indoors?

“You need to re-apply it every couple of hours, just like you would otherwise,” says Mittal Gupta. You can, however, go for a sunscreen with a lower SPF or ones that specifically prevent blue light from affecting your skin.

It’s never too late to start wearing sunscreen indoors if you haven’t been doing it regularly. “The only time you can skip applying sunscreen is if you’re spending the whole day in a pitch dark room,” says Mittal Gupta. So there you have it!