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Beauty & Health

10 UV-Blocking Accessories That You Need

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Skincare

10 UV-Blocking Accessories That You Need

No, not sunscreens

September 2, 2022
10 UV-Blocking Accessories That You Need (No, Not Sunscreen Creams)

10 UV-Blocking Accessories That You Need (No, Not Sunscreen Creams)

“Do you use sunscreen everyday?” That’s perhaps the skincare question of the century. We’re living in a time where sun damage awareness – and suncare education – is at its highest. My girls’ primary 1 school teacher got them to bring sunscreens for their outdoor-based classes and activities. My 11-year-old girl asked for sunscreen for her first skincare product.

And yet, sunscreen may not be suitable for every lifestyle. Eczema sufferers, for example, often find that sunscreens may cause severe irritation or flare-ups. Some mothers avoid chemical sunscreens with potentially harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone while pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid affecting their oestrogen levels.

You’d be surprised, but there are people who are allergic to sunscreens. They get redness, irritation, and stinging pain from sunscreen application. These people would often have sensitive or eczema-prone skin as well.

Then, there are people who just find it a hassle and find most sunscreen products too icky, too greasy, or are bothered by the white cast (from physical, mineral sunscreens).

For any reason you might not be suitable for the sunscreen lifestyle, there are UV-blocking accessories that you can use instead. 

Here are 10 of the best UV blocking accessories and ideas you can get in Singapore: 

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/skincare/10-uv-blocking-accessories-that-you-need/
10 UV-Blocking Accessories That You Need
UV Blocking Golf Umbrellas
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Not all umbrellas are made equal. As it turns out, umbrellas don’t fully protect you from the sun’s UV rays – especially not if your umbrella is on the smaller, foldable side, and light coloured. For example, a Uniqlo UV umbrella costs $19.90 but is on the smaller side.

You’ll need a dark coloured brolly to receive 77% or so of UV blockage. Otherwise, you will need a proper silver or black lined sun umbrella with bigger dimensions to receive over 99% coverage.

And then, you have… golf umbrellas. These professional golfing umbrellas are often larger in diameter, and are properly designed with SPF50 UV ray blockage. They are the beasts of umbrellas meant to withstand scorching heat and pouring rain – the game must go on. 

Here’s a heavy-duty 54, 62, or 68 inch G4Free golfing umbrella ($32 to $333) that’s double-lined with ultra-resistant fabric. It’s also windproof, and comes with automatic open functions.

Amazon Singapore
House Window Tinting
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You would have heard of privacy films for windows so your neighbours can’t peep into your house. You won’t really need that if you have curtains or blinds installed in your apartment.

Unbeknownst to most of us, there’s actually another type of window films called solar films which serve to block out infrared and UV rays from the sun. You can easily find many independent contractors providing such solar films and installation services online and via Carousell.

If you don’t mind spending, a set of branded 3M Solar Film with 99% UV rays blockage with installation (around 4 hours) will set you back by $1,300 – that’s for a new 3-room BTO flat.

Otherwise, you can find cheaper options from $28 for a generic roll of tinted film (from Amazon) that you can stick on yourself.

Watch out for your house plants, though! They might wither…

Amazon Singapore
Car Window Tinting
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Why do people tint their car windscreens and windows? Well, for cosmetic purposes… and UV protection.

The dark tints that you see on cars actually do block out harmful infrared and UV rays – protecting both the humans that are in it, and the car’s interiors from sun damage and any degradation such as colour fading.

And if you’re often driving – or in the passenger seat – you might want to get your windscreen and windows tinted.

Go to any car tinting workshop and you’ll find thousands of brands, shades, and choices available. Generally, you will be presented with mid-tier solar films with 60% to 70% UV protection, and a higher tier solar film with 99% UV protection. Where to go? Lazy to go around scouring through reviews? A reputable and popular tinter in Singapore you can head to without worries is Infratint.

Since Singapore regulates the tinting of car windows, you will want to let your car workshop know to ensure that your tinting is legally compliant. Prices typically range from $300 upwards to $1,000+ for the entire car with professional installation.

Instagram @infratint
UV Blocking Jackets
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One of the easiest way to block out all that UV rays is to slip on a lightweight Uniqlo AIRism jacket with UV protection ($29.90) with UPF50. In fact, Uniqlo has an entire range of UV protective clothes, ranging from jackets to leggings, cropped cardigans, inner wear, and accessories.

Slip your UV jacket on before you head out into the sun, and easily take it off after you’ve arrived in your office or shopping mall etc.

Uniqlo
UV Blocking Ultra-Wide Brim Sun Hat
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A regular cap or cute Prada bucket hat may not provide you with sufficient UV coverage.

Trust the Australians when it comes to all things sun. Here’s one from the Melbourne-based sun protection brand, Solbari.

Just like Uniqlo, Solbari produces clothing and accessories with UPF – Ultraviolet Protection Factor. UPF is the equivalent of SPF in sunscreens and skincare. However, UPF is specifically used for fabric materials, and it measures the amount of UV rays that can pass through or get blocked by fabrics.

This Reversible Ultra Wide Brim Sunhat with UPF50+ by Solbari ($78) offers you coverage past your neck and down to your shoulder line. You don’t want to end up with a patch of darker, tanned skin at the back of your neck. Well, most of us already do. It’s a pain to reverse it.

Solbari
UV Blocking Sunglasses
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If your mum ever told you not to stare at the sun, she’s absolutely right. It’s not an old wive’s tale.

UV rays can leave irreparable damage on (and in) your eyes. We’re talking about damage to your cornea, onset of cataracts, and possible blindness.

What about the eyelids? Other than it being thinner than the rest of your face (and more easily tanned and darkened), the eyelids when exposed to UV rays do age faster. And that’s how you get your wrinkles, saggy skin, hyperpigmentation, dark spots etc.

You’d want to look for a pair of sunglasses with UV protection. More importantly, it should fit your face snugly else any stark gaps may allow errant UV rays to pass through.

Look for Asian-fit sunglasses, such as these Arosa Reverie Purple Shades ($155) polarised UV lenses by local shades brand, Lenicc.

lenicc
Denim, Thicker Cotton Clothing
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You’d be surprise, but the choice of fabric makes a difference to UV and sun protection!

For starters, our trusty dear ol’ cotton is actually a great UV blocker. However, you’ll want to opt for thicker types of cotton (nope, not the sheer, light linen that’s airy and resort friendly).

If you’re looking for something that’s pretty trendy and office friendly, try this Mayven Classic Button Down Shirt ($43) from Love Bonito. It’s cut slightly looser, which allows room for airflow. A classic shirt is pretty versatile as well – you could wear it with jeans ala Jane Birkin style, wear it loose, or drape it over your crop top.

Love Bonito
Brightly Coloured Clothing
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Flamboyant dressers rejoice! As it turns out, white, neutrals, and all the pastel baby pinks and lilacs etc. light colours are not great at keeping UV rays at bay.

Instead, darker or brighter colours are able to absorb more UV rays instead of allowing them to pass through the fabric to burn your skin. Think along the lines of intense and bright reds, and blues. Of course, the trophy colour that absorbs the most UV rays is none other than black.

So, embrace your colourful personalities and throw on your brightest dress. No reason to wear the boring blacks and whites just because everyone else in the office does so!

Our Second Nature
Looser Fit Clothing
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According to SkinCancer.org, “Looser threads offer better protection than super-tight clothing! If a piece is too tight, that straining can cause fabric fibers to stretch or tear, allowing more UV to pass through the material.”

Oh, that makes so much sense… and is way more practical. Anyway, that’s good news for my stubborn post-partum tummy that could never fit into a Herve Leger bodycon dress ever again!

Here’s a linen classic button down shirt dress in a bright mustard hue ($99) by local fashion brand, Klarra.

Klarra
Sun Safety Mobile Apps
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In China, there are social weather mobile apps that alerts you to high UV index. Moji weather is one of these popular user-generated weather apps.

Over in Singapore, we seem to rely on weather.gov. However, there are mobile apps with widgets that will alert you to high UV Index, such as UVLens (free) with a cuter looking user interface and a more trusted (but costs $1.48) weather and UV index app called Wolfram Sun Exposure.

Read Next

11 Non-Sticky Sunscreens That Double Up Perfectly As Makeup Bases

These Antioxidant-Rich Sunscreens Will Protect Skin Against Pollution And Sun Damage

5 Sunscreen Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Committing

UV Lens iPhone App
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