According to a report by the French public health agency in 2023, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation has increased in Europe in recent years. We are confronted with many abbreviations such as UPF50+, and it is essential to understand what these standards really mean.
Knowing how they protect us helps us to make informed choices when faced with the dangers of the sun. These days, we're increasingly aware of the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun, and protecting ourselves is crucial to avoid sunburn, premature skin ageing and to reduce the risk of cancer.
Whether you're out in the snow or near water (sea, river, lake...), it's essential to protect yourself in these situations, because we're all vulnerable to our environment.
What does the acronym UPF stand for and why is it important?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This is a standard that indicates a fabric's ability to block harmful ultraviolet rays (European standard: EN 13758). This can come from the sun or, less frequently mentioned, from the moon.
The higher the UPF index, the better the fabric's ability to block UV rays. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a fabric with a UPF of 50 can block around 98% of UV rays, reducing the skin's exposure to these rays to just 2%. In addition to UPF 50+, there are also indices of 40 and 45, all of which are considered to offer an excellent level of sun protection. UPF 15-24 and 25-39 offer less protection, but are still very adequate.
| Protection range | Protection level | % of penetrating UV rays | % of protection from UV rays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate protection | UPF 10 to 19 | 10 to 5,1% | 90 to 95% |
| High protection | UPF 20 to 29 | 5 to 3,4% | 95 to 96,5% |
| Very high protection | UPF 30 to 49 | 3,3 to 2% | 96,5 to 97,5% |
| Maximum protection | UPF 50+ | less than 2% | +98% |
| Type of UV | Characteristics | Hazards | Impact on health |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV C | The most energetic, filtered by the atmosphere (ozone layer) | Very dangerous but do not reach the earth due to atmospheric absorption | Can cause burns and skin cancer on direct exposure |
| UV B | Partially absorbed by the ozone layer, reaches the earth's surface | High risk of skin damage | Causes sunburn, damages DNA and increases the risk of skin cancer |
| UV A | Less energetic than UVB but penetrates deeper into the skin | Less dangerous than UVB but causes long-term damage | Premature skin ageing (wrinkles), damage to collagen, risk of skin cancer |
| UV C | |||
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| UV B | |||
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| UV A | |||
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* UVC is generally filtered out by the atmosphere, while UVA and UVB reach the earth's surface, with major impacts on the skin and eyes.
UPF works in a similar way to the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) used for sun creams, although there are some key differences. Sunscreen, while effective at blocking UV rays, offers limited protection compared to clothing. It needs to be applied regularly, as it wears off with sweat, water and rubbing. What's more, even with a high SPF, it doesn't always cover the skin evenly. Clothing, especially if it is dense or designed with a UV protection factor (UPF), mechanically blocks UV rays and provides a more reliable and constant barrier.
While the SPF measures protection against UVB rays alone, which are responsible for causing sunburn, the UPF covers both types of rays: UVA (which penetrate deeper into the skin) and UVB.
In addition, the protection offered by a UPF 50+ textile is continuous for as long as the garment is worn, unlike sun creams which require regular reapplication to remain effective.
The level of protection required can be adjusted depending on the intensity of UV rays as measured by the UV index. However, maximum protection is always recommended to prevent the risks associated with sun exposure.
Example of UV index according to season:
- Mediterranean city in July: UV Index: 8-9 (very high)
- High altitude ski resort (e.g. the Alps in winter): UV Index: 6-7 (high)
- Cloudy day in London in autumn: UV Index: 1-2 (low)
| UV Index | Risks | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low | It is still recommended to wear sunglasses. |
| 2 | ||
| 3 | Moderate | Without protection, sensitive skin and children will suffer a sunburn in 40 minutes. They are advised to wear sunglasses and a hat and carefully apply SPF 15 cream. |
| 4 | ||
| 5 | ||
| 6 | High |
Without protection, sensitive skin and children will get sunburnt in just 25 minutes. Avoid exposing young children, wear sunglasses, a hat and a T-shirt, and apply SPF 25 cream every hour. Without protection, normal skin will get sunburnt for the first time in 50 minutes. Wear sunglasses, a hat and apply SPF 15 cream. |
| 7 | ||
| 8 | Very high |
Without protection, sensitive skin will get sunburnt in less than 20 minutes. Between 12 and 4pm, avoid exposing children to the sun, wear sunglasses, a hat and a T-shirt, and apply SPF 40 cream every hour. Prefer to stay in the shade. Without protection, normal skin will get sunburnt after just 40 minutes. We recommend wearing sunglasses, a hat, a T-shirt and applying SPF 25 cream. |
| 9 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 11+ | Extreme | Without protection, sensitive skin and children will get sunburnt in less than 15 minutes: stay inside. If you have to go out in the sun: sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, clothing and SPF 40 sunscreen every 30 minutes. Without protection, normal skin will get sunburnt in less than 30 minutes. Wear sunglasses, a hat, a T-shirt and apply SPF 40 cream. |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Moderate | High | ||||
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11+ | |||
| Very high | Extreme | |||||
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Low : It is still recommended to wear sunglasses. |
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Moderate : Without protection, sensitive skin and children will suffer a sunburn in 40 minutes. They are advised to wear sunglasses and a hat and carefully apply SPF 15 cream. |
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High : Without protection, sensitive skin and children will get sunburnt in just 25 minutes. Avoid exposing young children, wear sunglasses, a hat and a T-shirt, and apply SPF 25 cream every hour. Without protection, normal skin will get sunburnt for the first time in 50 minutes. Wear sunglasses, a hat and apply SPF 15 cream. |
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Very high : Without protection, sensitive skin will get sunburnt in less than 20 minutes. Between 12 and 4pm, avoid exposing children to the sun, wear sunglasses, a hat and a T-shirt, and apply SPF 40 cream every hour. Prefer to stay in the shade. Without protection, normal skin will get sunburnt after just 40 minutes. We recommend wearing sunglasses, a hat, a T-shirt and applying SPF 25 cream. |
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Extreme : Without protection, sensitive skin and children will get sunburnt in less than 15 minutes: stay inside. If you have to go out in the sun: sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, clothing and SPF 40 sunscreen every 30 minutes. Without protection, normal skin will get sunburnt in less than 30 minutes. Wear sunglasses, a hat, a T-shirt and apply SPF 40 cream. |
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The benefits of anti-UV, UPF50+ clothing for your skin
Fabric with UPF 50+ certification is recommended for prolonged outdoor activities or in particularly sunny environments (beach, coastal shore, sunny mountain, seaside resort, outdoor water park, river, etc.), where sun exposure may be intense and prolonged.
For example: hiking, surfing, beach volleyball, gardening, cycling, running, outdoor picnics, swimming in natural surroundings, etc.
Textiles offering UV protection are designed with special fibres or are treated with additives that increase their ability to block UV rays.
Factors such as the density of the weave, the thickness of the fabric, its colour and the chemical treatments applied all play a part in the material's ability to filter UV rays.
UPF50+ certification
For a fabric to claim to be UV-resistant with UPF 50+ certification, it must pass rigorous tests carried out by specialist laboratories. These tests involve exposing the fabric to sources of UV radiation in order to measure the quantity of rays that pass through the material.
A fabric must meet strict criteria to obtain certification, including blocking at least 98% of UV rays. The standards used for these tests may vary slightly from country to country, but in Europe, certification is generally based on ISO EN 13758-1 international standard.
The importance of sun protection
It's essential to protect our health, whether in the short or long term. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause serious damage to the skin. Overexposure to the sun can also affect the eyes, leading to ocular disorders such as cataracts.
So the aim is to strike a balance between enjoying the benefits of the sun (particularly vitamin D) and protecting our skin from the risks.
Here are some effective ways of protecting yourself from the sun's harmful effects:
- Stay indoors or in the shade between 11am and 4pm as soon as the UV index exceeds 3.
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or more): Apply generously every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating..
- Wide-brimmed hat: This not only protects the face, but also the neck and ears, areas that are often neglected.
- Sunglasses with UV protection: The eyes are vulnerable to UV rays, and good quality sunglasses reduce the risk of cataracts.
- Long, light clothing: Tight-fitting fabrics and covering clothing, particularly those designed to block UV rays, are an effective physical barrier.
- Face shield or veil: These accessories can offer additional protection for the face, particularly in environments where the sun is very intense.
Protect yourself from the sun and drowning with the Floatee anti-drowning T-shirt
Floatee offers a solution with an anti-UV UPF50+ T-shirt, an essential protection for children's delicate skin. Certified OEKO-TEX standard 100, this product is skin-friendly and guaranteed free from harmful substances. As well as being anti-UV UPF50+, it's also an anti-drowning T-shirt, an innovative solution to protect children's lives in the event of an accident.
To conclude, choosing clothing with UPF50+ protection is essential when you're planning to expose yourself to the sun, whether for a walk in the open air, a sports session or an afternoon at the beach. It's not simply a question of style, it's a question of health! Textiles must be of the highest quality to guarantee effective protection against UV rays.
The UPF is like the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) found on our sunscreens, but for clothing. But what's the difference? The SPF measures the skin's protection with cosmetics, while the UPF quantifies the protection offered by the fabrics themselves.
Whether it's your skin or your general well-being, it's better to enjoy every moment in complete safety, isn't it? So take care of yourself and enjoy the sun... but with moderation! 🌞😉