Face sunscreen? check. Travel size tube for on-the-go touch-ups? check. SPF under the neck? Check, check, and check. Go ahead and pat yourself on the back, but know that sun safety doesn’t stop there. Lotions and potions are one thing, but going the extra mile with UV-protective clothing and accessories will take you from novice to expert in terms of sun protection. “UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing is specifically designed to provide an extra layer of protection against the sun’s rays,” Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levine, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology, tells Refinery29. “They are tightly woven and often made of fabrics that offer a high UPF rating, such as polyester, nylon, and certain types of cotton.” While sunscreens have an SPF rating, which is a number that corresponds to the length of time your skin is protected from UV rays, clothing has a UPF rating, which indicates how much UV exposure can penetrate fabric and affect your skin.
