UVA vs UVB: What the Sun Is Really Doing to Your Skin

Most of us grew up thinking sun protection was about one thing: not getting burnt. If you stayed red-free, you were doing fine. But the truth is, sun exposure is a little more complex than that. To understand why clothing-based sun protection has become so important, it helps to know the difference between UVA and UVB rays.

UVB rays are the ones most people are familiar with. They’re responsible for sunburn. They’re strongest in the middle of the day and more intense in summer. When skin turns pink or sore after time outside, UVB is usually the culprit. Sunscreen does a good job at protecting against these rays when applied properly.

UVA rays are lesser known about but more persistent. They’re present ALL day, year-round, even on cloudy days. They penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to premature ageing and long-term skin damage. UVA rays can pass through windows and light clothing, which means exposure can happen even when you don’t feel like you’re “in the sun.”

This is where many people are surprised. You can avoid sunburn and still be exposed to high levels of UVA radiation. It’s one of the reasons people notice sun damage building up over time, even when they feel like they’ve been careful.

Sunscreen is designed to help protect against both UVA and UVB rays when it’s labelled broad spectrum. But it relies heavily on correct use. Enough product, even coverage, frequent reapplication and remembering to reapply after swimming, sweating or towelling off. Anyone with children knows how quickly that can become unrealistic.

UPF clothing works differently. Instead of sitting on the skin, protection is built directly into the fabric. UPF measures how much UV radiation can pass through a material. UPF 50+ blocks over 98% of both UVA and UVB rays. There’s no rubbing in, no waiting period and no fading protection throughout the day.

For families who spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in Australia where UV levels are high, combining sunscreen with UPF clothing offers a more reliable and easy approach. Clothing covers larger areas consistently, reducing the pressure to constantly monitor and reapply sunscreen.

Sun protection doesn’t need to feel complicated or stressful. Understanding the difference between UVA and UVB simply helps explain why what we wear matters just as much as what we apply.