It’s no secret that sunscreen is a great way to protect your skin from the sun’s rays, but did you know there’s a better method of sun protection? Sun protective clothing, better known as UPF clothing, is more protective (and low-maintenance) than reapplying sunscreen every hour. Unlike sunscreen, UPF clothing blocks harmful, cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, and there’s no “wrong” way to put on a UPF-certified garment. If you’re ready to protect your skin, keep reading for a complete guide on the differences between SPF and UPF (plus how to choose the proper UPF clothing).
Things You Should Know
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF) measures the effectiveness of sunscreen, while Ultraviolet Protective Factor (UPF) measures the effectiveness of “sun protective” fabrics.
- SPF only blocks UVB rays, while UPF protects you from both UVB and UVA rays.
- Sunscreen isn’t as protective as UPF clothing because most people don’t apply it correctly. UPF blocks more harmful UV rays, and it doesn’t require reapplication.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
Expert Interview
![](https://ca.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7f/WikiHow-Expert-Interview-Transcript-Kaveri-Karhade-part-2_sample.png/340px-WikiHow-Expert-Interview-Transcript-Kaveri-Karhade-part-2_sample.png)
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about sun protection, check out our in-depth interview with Kaveri Karhade, MD .
References
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf
- ↑ https://www.ewg.org/sunsafety/tips-sun-clothing.php
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf
- ↑ https://www.ewg.org/sunsafety/tips-sun-clothing.php
- ↑ https://uihc.org/health-topics/what-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11712033
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/what-is-upf-clothing
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-sun-protection-clothing-actually-work
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-sun-protection-clothing-actually-work
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/what-is-upf-clothing
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/what-is-upf-clothing
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/what-is-upf-clothing
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs
- ↑ https://www.ewg.org/sunsafety/tips-sun-clothing.php
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs