Christmas in Australia and New Zealand doesn’t usually mean lying in the sun all day on a towel. It’s long lunches under the pergola, kids in and out of the pool, shade hopping and chatting while someone minds the BBQ.
But that’s exactly where a lot of sun damage quietly happens.
Below are some of the most common UV questions Aussies and Kiwis ask over summer, with clear, practical answers.
1. Can you get sun damage in the shade?
Yes. Shade reduces direct UV exposure, but it doesn’t block it completely.
UV rays can scatter and reflect off surfaces like concrete, paving, sand and water. That means your skin can still be exposed even when the sun isn’t hitting you directly. This is especially relevant in Australia and New Zealand, where UV levels are often high even on mild or breezy days.
Shade helps — but it’s not full protection on its own.
2. Do you need sunscreen if you’re not in direct sun?
Yes. If you’re outdoors during peak UV hours, sunscreen still matters.
Many people associate sunscreen with sunbathing or swimming, but everyday activities like sitting outside, walking between places, or supervising kids can add up over the course of a day. This type of incidental sun exposure is easy to underestimate.
A broad-spectrum SPF forms a baseline layer of protection, even when you’re mostly in the shade.
3. Can you get sunburn under an umbrella or veranda?
You can.
Umbrellas, verandas and shade sails reduce direct exposure, but UV can still reach the skin from the sides and below. The more open the environment — backyards, pools, beaches — the more scattered UV is present.
This is why sunburn can sometimes feel unexpected after a day that didn’t seem particularly sunny.
4. Does UV reflect off water, sand or concrete?
Yes. And reflection increases exposure.
Water, light concrete, paving and sand can all reflect UV rays back onto the skin. Around pools and outdoor entertaining areas, this reflected UV contributes to total exposure, even when you’re covered or seated.
It’s one of the reasons poolside time is a common source of cumulative sun damage.
5. Can you get sun damage on a cloudy day?
Yes. Cloud cover doesn’t reliably block UV radiation.
Up to a large proportion of UV rays can still penetrate through cloud, depending on thickness and conditions. In summer, UV levels can remain high even when it doesn’t feel hot or bright.
This is why UV forecasts are more useful than temperature when it comes to sun protection decisions.
6. How much sun exposure actually causes skin damage?
There isn’t a single “safe” amount that applies to everyone.
Skin damage relates to cumulative exposure over time — not just one long day in the sun. Short, repeated periods outdoors can contribute just as much as occasional intense exposure, particularly over years and decades.
This cumulative effect is why daily sun protection habits matter, even when exposure feels minimal.
7. Is incidental sun exposure really a problem?
It can be.
Incidental exposure includes time spent outdoors that isn’t planned or intentional — things like gardening, school pick-ups, backyard meals or quick errands. These moments often happen without sun protection because they don’t feel like “sun time”.
Over summer, these small exposures add up quickly.
8. Do you need sunscreen if you’re only outside for a short time?
Often, yes — especially in summer.
In Australia and New Zealand, UV levels can reach damaging ranges within minutes during the middle of the day. Even brief exposure can contribute to cumulative damage, particularly on commonly exposed areas like the face, neck, arms and hands.
Applying sunscreen as part of a daily routine removes the guesswork.
9. Does sunscreen still matter if you’re wearing a hat or clothes?
Yes. Hats and clothing are important, but they don’t cover everything.
Areas like the face, ears, neck, chest and hands are often still exposed. Light clothing may also allow some UV through. Sunscreen works alongside physical protection, not instead of it.
Layered protection is the most reliable approach.
10. Why does the sun in Australia and New Zealand feel harsher than overseas?
Australia and New Zealand have some of the highest UV levels in the world.
Factors like our latitude, generally clear skies and thinner ozone levels mean UV radiation here is more intense than in many other countries. This is why sun protection advice in Australia and New Zealand is more conservative — and more important.
A final word for summer
Sun damage doesn’t only happen at the beach. It often happens during relaxed, everyday moments — exactly the kind that define Christmas and summer holidays.
That’s where Defence SPF 50 earns its place as a true daily essential. It’s a one-step morning option that combines broad-spectrum sun protection with 5% Vitamin B3 (niacinamide). Sunscreen helps protect against new UV exposure and sunburn, while Vitamin B3 is well researched for supporting skin integrity and helping improve the appearance of existing sun damage — the same UV stress in the same areas, just on different timelines. And at night, following with the original SolarCareB3 moisturiser (5% Vitamin B3), allows continued support of the skin barrier when it’s not dealing with UV exposure. Both products are designed for face and body, making it easier to stay consistent without a complicated routine. (The Daily Duo pairs both in their largest sizes for better value over summer.)
Enjoy the long lunches, the shade and the slower pace of summer — just don’t let everyday exposure slip under the radar.