How to Choose UV Protective Clothing | Lab Muffin Beauty Science

We talk a lot about sunscreen, but what about sun-protective clothing? Here's everything you need to know to choose clothes to protect your skin.

In this video:
* Pros and cons of UV-protective clothing
* What is UPF and how is it measured?
* Which fabrics protect you best from UV?
* UPF clothing vs regular fabrics
* UPF clothing reviews

Further reading:

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Lab Muffin Beauty Science is a channel by me, Michelle - I'm a chemistry PhD and beauty lover, here to explain how beauty products work, debunk myths, and help you make smarter decisions about your skincare, hair and makeup!

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[jessicagomez]

Am I the only one SHOCKED by how little clothes protect you from the sun?! 😭

[Hedgellpuff]

This video surprised me! I'd previously thought UPF clothing was sort of scammy - I'd look at their sun-protective advertisements and think 'Pft, all clothing protects you from the sun!' I'm shocked at how little most clothing protects you

[NilupulieSumanasiri]

I am a textile specialist, and I am so glad that you made this video. I love when creators make video about technical aspects of textiles.!

[StarlitGlitch]

I live in Japan and clothing labeled “UPF” are super popular here! Most joggers I see will wear long sleeves and pants. Plus plenty of women will wear long gloves and use sunscreen umbrellas.

On beaches too a good portion of women wear “swim suit hoodies” (not sure what to call it) that have UPF. I ended up buying one because I burn so quickly on my shoulders. 😅

[khang]

Your channel is like Muji store bcs I always feel like "omg I need this in my life" whenever I see something new XD

[kattkatt]

The moral of this video is that I need to move back home to the arctic. No sun in winter, and summers so cold that you are wearing more clothes than a lot of people do in winter other places 😂

[TsubataLately]

I love the smile on your face when you say, "nerdification." 😂

[Justine-iubv]

Normal clothes may have little upf in them but i saw drastic changes on my skin in the long term. I live near the equator and has short sleeves school uniform. I transferred school and got long sleeves one, and after two years the discoloration between my lower arm and upper arm are nearly gone. Back then it was *very* noticeable but it isn't now.

[kagitsune]

*glances over at my identical Uniqlo hoodie in the closet*
"... Nice. 😎"

[milevenshair]

I was literally just looking up about this last night I—

[tinythingy]

Once I got a sunburn through my jeans, I was pretty shocked as I didnt think that could happen. Though the situation was kinda extreme, I was on a mountain in the sun all day, on vacation closer to the equator than home. At lunch I sat on a rock with my knees up so my jeans were stretched, and my knees got burnt.

[autumntriesthings]

Uniqlo should totally pay you for that endorsement.

[SusanSlattery]

I have long worn UPF clothing, mostly shirts, in the past, really just when I was outside gardening. But I have recently also been thinking about the relative UPF of my other clothing. If it's got Polyester, YES. If it's 100% Merino, YES. I have black silk masks and it's nice to know they offer some protection. But I also now have about 500 (kidding) Coolibar face masks, and for the last few years, I've worn their fingerless gloves, even inside, when near a window. The silver lining of the pandemic is that I no longer look stupid wearing a UPF face mask.

[JackOllie]

Ariat makes clothing for equestrians. They have quite a few UPF options that have a nice design! I'm sure other equestrian clothing companies have UPF clothing, as well. Equestrian clothing is usually quite fitted, so they have a nice shape. Many countries have manufacturers of equestrian clothing, too, so it's easy to find in other parts of the world.

[pipers_river]

UPF50+ clothing is part of the reason I worked out I have a photosensitivity disorder a couple of months ago. I'm allergic to the sun! I suspect that I have Solar Urticaria but won't know for sure until I get tested by the Dermatologist (which is still a few months away).

Anyway, I started to work this all out, because I was still getting sunburnt even with my new UPF50+ sleeves (and my standard layers of SPF50+ sunscreen, and a long sleeved button up shirt). Also through denim. Turns out my skin cannot deal with any sort of UV, Infrared and Visible Light. 🙃Any exposure to it produces an allergic reaction. So I get rashes from sunlight and fluorescent light. I just thought I was really susceptible to sunburn, had chronic eczema, and was allergic to almost every sunscreen that I've tried. Apparently this is all part of photosensitivity which is a pretty rare group of skin disorders.

It's been a wild ride over the last couple of months working this out. Plus I live in Australia where the UV is pretty much always over 10 in summer.

I found this video really interesting!! It's helpful to know how other people experience the sun. I thought every pale person felt like the sun was burning them all the time in summer (even through thick clothing and in partial shade) Apparently I am a vampire when it comes to sunlight 🤣🧛‍♀At least now I know why SPF50+ sunscreen seems to do nothing for me in summer. (I still wear it everyday though, it probably helps a bit).

[athenachloewoodrow]

Thanks so much for this! I've been into UPF clothing for the last 5 to 10 years. It has improved immensely, it was originally quite thick, sweaty and claustrophobic, like wearing a thick plastic bag. Now they have come out with some good technical fabrics, though I still find some of the items meant to resemble normal clothes a bit hot. I am very athletic, I like to go trail running, hiking, swimming, and biking out in the sun all year long. I live in California and it can get blazing hot in the middle of the summer running in the mountains. I've found that the companies selling technical gear have been doing a good job of making their clothing lighter weight. There are also some great leggings out there now meant for hot yoga that are UPF 50 but also incredibly airy. When you're exercising for hours out in the sun, even the best sweat resistant sunscreens just don't last, and it just does not work to stop in the middle of your run to try to apply more sunscreen to dripping skin, especially since it's going to instantly make you feel even hotter and just gross. Even the long sleeve running shirts that are only upf 20 are better in my opinion than trying to deal with sunscreen, because I doubt I would be able to keep enough of it on me and evenly spread even if it was SPF 100. The rash guards meant for water work great too, especially since you are less concerned about overheating since you are literally in water. Also, many of the sun protective leggings meant for hot yoga are also water friendly too, so now I wear fun colorful leggings to the beach even when visiting Florida and I only have to put sunscreen on the top of my feet, my neck, face, and ears. Long-Winded post I know, but hope it's helpful ❤

[madonnella]

I‘d really love to get more protection from clothes, but I‘m also really concerned about microplastics. I haven’t bought anything polyester in years and I really don’t want to. Why can’t we have both, getting protected as well as protecting nature? 😩
BTW I don’t blame you for buying polyester, it’s just not for me anymore.
Love your nerdy beauty content! 💕

[ricebeansrockroll]

It would be so cool with a followup on this with what you know now

[picklebird]

There is also a great brand in the US called Solumbra that makes classic looking shirts, pants, tops, wraps, and hats in great colors. They are made from 100% nylon and wear like iron and never fade. They're great for regular wear as well as for safari and trekking. The fabric is DEET compatible as well which is important given some of the "off the beaten track" places we go! Thanks for your great blog and YouTube channels.

[eeshafatima]

Hey Michelle! Would love it if you made a video regarding hair loss & thinning, & gave product recommendations as well- what ingredients to use, avoid etc.
Thank you!
PS absolutely LOVE your videos ❤