UPF and SPF | What's the Difference?

UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) & SPF (Sun Protection Factor) are 2 different units of measure used to communicate the level of sun ☀️ protection offered by clothing & sunscreen.

UPF | 👕 measures the effectiveness of the level of sun protection offered by clothing. 

SPF |🧴measures the effectiveness of the level of sun protection offered by sunscreen.

The key differences between the two units of measure are :

UPF 

• Is used to measure & communicate the effectiveness of clothing as a method of sun protection
• Indicates the level of protection offered against UVA & UVB rays
• Tells consumers how much radiation will pass through the fabric to the skin
• Offers all day protection when worn as instructed

SPF

• Used to measure & communicate the effectiveness of sunscreen as a method of sun protection
• Indicates the level of protection offered against UVB rays
• Tells consumers how long it will take for exposed skin to burn in the sun
• Needs to be reapplied in line with the manufacturers instructions

UPF & SPF ratings in simple terms

UPF & SPF ratings might seem confusing so we’ve made a quick reference guide to summarise some of the in's & out's!

UPF | Used for rating clothing  👕

• UPF rating 15 | minimum protection
  At this level only 1/15th of the suns rays will penetrate the fabric, therefore blocking 93.3% of the UVA / UVB rays.

• UPF rating 30 | good protection
  At this level only 1/30th of the suns rays will penetrate the fabric, therefore blocking 96.7 % of the UVA / UVB rays.

• UPF rating 50+ | excellent protection
  At this level only 1/50th of the suns rays will penetrate the fabric, therefore blocking 98% of the UVA / UVB rays.

SPF | Used for rating Sun Screen 🧴

Keep in mind the performance of your sunscreen will be influenced

• by your natural skin colour
• if the sun screen has been applied thickly enough
• if you’ve been sweating a lot
• if you’ve been swimming
• if you’ve been sitting in the shade
• if you have other types of sun protection on such as long sleeves, a hat, sunglasses etc

• SPF rating 15+
  - By applying SPF 15+ it will take 15 times longer to burn compared to no protection at all
  - At this level approximately 93.3% of UVA rays are filtered out
  
  

• SPF rating 30+
  - By applying SPF 30+ it will take 30 times longer to burn compared to no protection at all
  - At this level approximately 96.7% of UVA rays are filtered out
  
  To put that into real life terms, if you have fair skin & your unprotected skin goes red within 10 minutes of sun exposure then applying an SPF 30 sunscreen will provide protection for up to 300 minutes (when used correctly).
  
  

• SPF rating 50+
  - By applying SPF 50+ it will take 50 times longer to burn compared to no protection at all
  - At this level approximately 98% of UVA rays are filtered out.

To take a deep dive on UPF ratings in clothing click here.