Even in February’s “cool” weather, Filipinos are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun at levels high enough to damage skin and eyes. This reality is often obscured by the belief that sunscreen is a “summer-only” necessity.
Average UV index values in Metro Manila this month remain in the high to very high range, with daytime peaks regularly reaching 8 to 10 or more on the Global Solar UV Index. These levels indicate that unprotected skin can burn quickly and accumulate long-term damage. Historical UV index averages for Manila show February daily averages around 7, with maximum values often reaching 11 or higher.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above — a threshold exceeded on most days of the year in tropical climates like the Philippines.
This year-round UV intensity has major implications for public understanding of sun safety and long-term skin health. Dermatologists emphasize that UV exposure does not depend on season or temperature. Daily protection is necessary, not just during beach trips or summer months.
Research also shows that awareness of UV intensity and protective behavior remains inconsistent worldwide. In equatorial countries, where solar radiation stays strong year-round, clearer understanding and prevention are especially urgent.
Understanding UV Radiation and the UV Index
Ultraviolet radiation is invisible energy emitted by the sun that affects skin and eyes.
According to WHO, small amounts of UV exposure help the body synthesize vitamin D. However, excessive exposure is carcinogenic and linked to skin cancer, sunburn, premature aging, and eye damage.
UV radiation must be considered separately from air temperature. It cannot be seen or felt directly, yet its damaging effects increase when the sun is high in the sky and when the UV index rises.
The Global Solar UV Index (UVI), developed by international health and meteorological agencies including WHO and the World Meteorological Organization, provides a standardized measure of UV intensity at the Earth’s surface.
The scale ranges from 0 (low) to 11+ (extreme). Values of 3 and above signal the need for protection. Very high (8–10) and extreme (11+) levels mean damage can occur quickly with short exposure.
Because of its proximity to the equator, the Philippines experiences steep solar angles throughout the year. As a result, UV values remain above protective thresholds even outside traditional “summer” months.
The UV index is therefore a more reliable indicator of sun damage risk than temperature or brightness.
Year-Round UV in the Philippines
Historical and real-time data show that UV radiation levels in the Philippines frequently exceed protective thresholds across all months.
February’s average daily UV index in Manila is around 7, with midday peaks reaching 11 or higher. UV levels may begin at moderate levels in the early morning and spike dramatically toward noon.
Regional recordings in parts of Luzon have documented UV readings reaching 14, underscoring the intensity of tropical solar radiation even during cooler months.
Although PAGASA does not widely disseminate year-round UV forecasts in daily public reporting, independent climate data and historical charts confirm consistently high UV levels nationwide with limited seasonal variation compared to temperate countries.
Cloud cover and cooler temperatures can reduce heat but do not eliminate UV exposure. UV radiation penetrates clouds and haze, meaning people may feel protected by “cool” weather while still accumulating skin damage.
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From Sunburn to Chronic Disease
Chronic UV exposure carries risks beyond occasional sunburn.
WHO estimates that more than 1.5 million skin cancer cases are diagnosed globally each year, with UV radiation as a leading risk factor. UV exposure also contributes to DNA damage, immune suppression, premature aging, and eye conditions such as cataracts.
Solar UV radiation is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, reinforcing its status as a confirmed cancer risk.
Comprehensive Philippine skin cancer registries remain limited compared to Western countries. However, dermatology literature confirms that UV exposure contributes to skin carcinogenesis and other sun-induced conditions locally.
Outdoor workers face higher cumulative exposure and increased occupational risk.
Pigmentation disorders also illustrate chronic UV effects. Melasma, common among Southeast Asian populations, is often triggered or worsened by sun exposure. Dermatological evidence consistently identifies UV radiation as a major environmental factor in hyperpigmentation disorders.
Awareness and Sun Protection Practices
Despite strong scientific evidence, public awareness and protective behavior remain inconsistent.
A 2025 randomized controlled trial conducted in Manila found that UV index education improved sunscreen knowledge and certain protective behaviors among participants. However, only about half reported regularly checking the UV index afterward, suggesting room for continued education.
Globally, systematic reviews show that countries like Australia have high UV index awareness, while many other populations demonstrate lower recognition of UV risk.
In the Philippines, surveys indicate that many people rely on physical protection such as umbrellas or hats. However, daily sunscreen use and UV monitoring remain less common, particularly outside peak summer months.
Knowledge does not always translate into consistent protective habits.
Why “Summer-Only Sunscreen” Is Misleading
The perception that sunscreen is necessary only during summer persists because people associate heat and brightness with sun damage.
In reality, UV radiation is independent of temperature. Cool or cloudy days can still carry high UV intensity.
Cultural attitudes toward tanning and skin tone also influence behavior. Additionally, misinformation about sunscreen safety circulates on social media, despite regulatory agencies and dermatologists affirming that approved broad-spectrum sunscreens are safe and effective when used properly.
Public health guidance remains clear: protection should be based on UV index levels, not on season or personal comfort.
Practical Steps for Year-Round Protection
Effective sun protection includes:
- Using broad-spectrum sunscreen with appropriate SPF
- Seeking shade during peak UV hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Wearing protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats
- Using UV-blocking sunglasses
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and after sweating or water exposure.
Digital tools can assist. The SunSmart Global UV App, launched by WHO and partners in 2024, provides localized UV forecasts and guidance to support daily sun-safe behavior.
Integrating UV index messaging into routine weather reporting could also strengthen public awareness.
Because a significant proportion of skin cancers are preventable through effective sun protection, sustained awareness and daily habits remain essential.
The Real Sunscreen Season Is Every Day
In the Philippines’ tropical climate, UV radiation does not take a season off.
Weather data and global health guidance confirm that UV levels remain high enough to warrant protection year-round. Cumulative exposure contributes to skin aging, pigmentation disorders, eye damage, and skin cancer risk.
Sun protection should align with UV intensity, not with seasonal assumptions.
Dispelling the “summer-only sunscreen” myth can help Filipinos adopt daily protective habits — safeguarding long-term skin and eye health under a sun that never truly fades.
References:
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Skin cancer. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer
Grimes, P. E. (1995). Melasma: Etiologic and therapeutic considerations. Archives of Dermatology, 131(12), 1453–1457. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.1995.01690240093014
Handel, A. C., Miot, L. D. B., & Miot, H. A. (2014). Melasma: A clinical and epidemiological review. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 89(5), 771–782. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20143063
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (n.d.). UV index forecast. Department of Science and Technology. https://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph
Skin Cancer Foundation. (n.d.). UV radiation. https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation
United Nations Environment Programme. (2022). Environmental effects and interactions of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and climate change: 2022 assessment report. https://ozone.unep.org
World Health Organization. (2002). Global solar UV index: A practical guide. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241590076
World Health Organization. (2023). Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ultraviolet-(uv)-radiation
World Health Organization. (2023). Skin cancers. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/skin-cancers
