This is not by any means a guide on not to wear sunscreen – far from it! But we all know that sunscreen is only one tool in the whole arsenal of sun protection, and I do want to talk about all the others today.
Stay in (the shade)
Do stay either inside or in the shade when the day’s UV intensity is highest. (Nearly all weather apps nowadays will tell you the UV intensity where you are at any given hour.)
Wear UV protective clothing
Pros: not having to reapply sunscreen or apply sunscreen on hard-to-reach spots – yay!
Cons: Ugh, wearing heavy and long-sleeved clothes in the height of summer?!
What?!
It’s certainly a conundrum, and it’s not a strategy that works for me right now. That is because for me (living in central Europe) there aren’t many choices when it comes to UPF certified clothing. Uniqlo and outdoor brands offer the most choices, but it’s still a no for me. I just can’t imagine venturing outside in a long-sleeved shirt in 30 degrees.
Clothes with an UPF label aren’t treated with any kind of sunscreen filter. (UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor, btw. Clothes with an UPF label are undergoing a standardized test, much like SPF is tested.) They get their UPF mainly from the fabric used and the weave of the fabric. Synthetic fabrics (especially polyester blends) with a tight weave in a dark colour are best. Regular clothing, like your regular light cotton T-Shirts usually have an UPF far below 15. (Michelle, of course, has an excellent post about UPF and clothes.)
Wear a rash guard when being in the ocean
Pros: You don’t have to reapply sunscreen and don’t have to worry about your sunscreen getting into the water.
Cons: Well, they’re not the most flattering piece of clothing, I’ve to admit.
What?!
Honestly, if you’re at and in the ocean often, it’s a very cost-effective option, plus you don’t have the hassle of re-applying SPF every time you leave the water. As someone who loves to go on snorkeling trips, this is God-sent: if you ever have been on a boat the whole day and struggled to apply SPF because a) it’s crowded, b) you feel self-conscious and c) you simply forget during all that excitement, you’ll understand. Most swimwear brands have them, I like these, for example.
Wear a hat with an UPF label!
Pros: Protect your scalp, neck and forehead without using greasy SPF products in and around your hair!
Cons: It can get hot underneath, messes with your hair and some people don’t think they’re a hat person. (Which is wrong, everyone can wear a hat. You just haven’t found the one yet!) (I love hats, if you couldn’t tell.) Unless you’re wearing something looking like a bee keeper’s hat, a hat won’t protect your face, ears, and whole neck from UV rays, because they’re getting reflecting by surfaces and scatter. It absolutely will protect your scalp, though, and also offer protection from heat stroke.
What?!
Important: like with clothing, not all hats offer automatically sun protection. Like with clothing, it depends on the fabric used. While regular hats may offer some protection, chose a hat with UPF on the label. (NBC gives you some ideas, or Amazon.)
Use a parasol
Pros: You carry your shade with you! What’s not to love?!
Cons: You carry something in your hand the whole time, and it still doesn’t protect you fully. Also, people in Europe will likely stare at you, because they’re not used to see people with parasols.
What?!
Still, don’t overestimate the protection this will get you. UV rays get scattered by your surroundings, so you still get exposed. I nevertheless love my parasol, especially on days when a hat seems too restricting. Mine (from Singapore) has an UV protection layer. (They’re easily available even in Germany, here or here.)
Chose your tools wisely!
All these measures are just tools in your toolbox of protection. Chose the ones you’re most happy with: just like with sunscreen, it absolutely doesn’t make sense to use things you don’t like to use.
(And don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!)
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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