So, you slather on sunscreen every time you head to the pool or take a trip to the beach? Good job. But you’re not doing enough to protect your delicate skin from the sun. Seriously, have you ever considered wearing a swimsuit with UPF protection?
Quick primer: UPF clothing shields your skin from UV radiation. While SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rates the effectiveness of sunscreens, UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is basically the same rating scale for fabrics. UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate an item of clothing and reach your skin. When you're shopping for protective clothing, consider this guideline from the Skin Cancer Foundation: A UPF rating of 30 to 49 is a very good buffer from the sun, while a UPF rating of 50 or higher is known to offer excellent protection.
While you shouldn’t consider a UPF swimsuit as a replacement for sunscreen, it is an additional layer of protection from the sun’s harmful rays—that can actually be really cute.