Sun protection clothing is the best way to stay safe from the sun as unlike sunscreen you don’t have to constantly remember to reapply. Not all clothing is created equal though and understanding the meaning of UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and the rating system is critical when shopping for sun protective clothing.
UPF is a numerical rating given to clothing to measure the amount of ultraviolet radiation that can penetrate the fabric. The higher the UPF rating, the better protection it offers. For example, a garment with a UPF of 50 allows only 1/50th of the sun's UV radiation to reach the skin, providing excellent protection. Australia was the first country in the world to formally rate fabrics for sun protection back in the 1990s.
The UPF rating scale or ultraviolet protection factor ranges from 15 to 50+.
- UPF rating of 15 is considered to offer minimum levels of sun protection.
- UPF rating of 30 is considered to provide good levels of sun protection.
- UPF ratings of 50 and 50+ are considered to provide excellent levels of sun protection.
All of SunProtection Australia’s products are rated UPF50+.
Unprotected exposure to the sun's harmful UV radiation can lead to various skin conditions, including premature aging, sunburns, and even skin cancer. Australia, with its abundance of sunshine, has one of the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide.
If you are planning to spend time outside in the sun, remember to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays and wear sun protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible and is made from UPF50+ fabric.
You can check out our range of UPF50+ sun protection products at the following links.
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/collections/men
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/collections/women
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/collections/kids
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/collections/upf50-sun-protection-hats
