PSA: Sun-Protective Clothing Is the Easiest Way to Protect Your Skin This Summer

In an ideal world, we’d be diligent about sun protection all the time: avoiding too much sun, making sure every square inch of skin is slathered in sunscreen, and remembering to reapply it every two hours. But for most people, this routine is nearly impossible to keep up with in the real world.

That’s where sun-protective clothing comes in: It’s wearable protection that shields your skin from damage, especially those hard-to-reach spots. And thanks to an explosion of new brands and fabrics, UPF clothing is comfier and more stylish than ever.

How does sun-protective clothing work?

Sun-protective clothing acts as a barrier between you and the sun’s rays, much like sunscreen. “There is a direct correlation between exposure to harmful UV rays and developing skin cancer,” says Jeremy Brauer, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF). “Clothing in general has some sun protection,” he explains, but sun-protective brands “bump that up significantly higher.” Hats and sunglasses are also a must, he notes.

“If you’re spending the day outside, it’s not easy to continue to reapply sunscreen every two hours,” says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami and member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. “Sun-protective clothing adds convenience. The other huge factor is coverage, because [otherwise] you might miss a little spot on your back, and then you’re burnt.”

What does UPF mean?

Sun-protective clothing is measured in UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor, which rates its effectiveness against both UVA and UVB light. (This is similar to SPF, the rating system for sunscreen, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says.) A UPF 50 rating, for example, means that only one 50th (or 2%) of UV radiation will pass through a garment.

There is no UPF rating below 15 because anything lower is not considered sun-protective; for example, a typical white t-shirt offers about UPF 7 sun protection, Dr. Brauer says. The SCF only recommends clothing with a UPF rating of 30 or above, and anything with UPF 50 or above is considered excellent.

Sun-protective gear is especially helpful for kids, who are tough to slather in sunscreen; active people, who might wash away SPF getting in and out of water or while sweating; people with a history of skin cancer; and anyone who works outside regularly, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd notes. For everyone else, it’s one fewer hoop to jump through before a day at the beach, in the park, or on a boat.

How to pick the best sun-protective clothing for you

✔️ Pay attention to weave. Tightly woven fabric is excellent at blocking UV light, Dr. Brauer says, especially warm weather-friendly synthetic fibers, which have fewer microspaces between threads. Looser cottons, on the other hand, are much less protective.

✔️ Choose color and material wisely. Certain fabrics also defend against UV light instead of letting it pass through to your skin, Dr. Brauer explains. Unbleached cotton is great at absorbing harmful rays, while shiny materials like polyester and silk can even reflect them. Darker colors absorb more of these rays than lighter ones.

✔️ Find the right level of coverage. You can find sun-protective clothing that covers every inch of your body, and for some people, that’s the right option. But you should pick something you’ll actually wear, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says. “It’s really about what’s most comfortable for you,” she explains. Just be prepared to use sunscreen wherever you aren’t covered. She recommends clothing that protects your shoulders, back, and arms; extra coverage for your neck and chest, two places people often forget to use sunscreen, is a bonus.

Now that you know what to look for in the best sun-protective clothing, keep reading to find top-rated UPF options to wear this summer—they’re guaranteed to keep you safe and stylish.