UPF vs SPF: What’s the Difference & Why You Might Need Both

When discussing the subject of sun protection, most people know what SPF means. It’s an acronym that’s found on every bottle of sunscreen. However, did you know that there’s also a UPF scale? They both protect your skin but in entirely different ways, meaning there’s not really a UPF vs SPF debate. 

As we’ll cover moving through this article, understanding the difference and what each applies to can help you choose the best protection for your lifestyle and skin. Ready to dive in? Then let’s begin. 

Understanding UPF vs SPF – What Is SPF?

As you’ll likely already know, SPF, or “Sun Protection Factor”, is the rating used to measure how well a sunscreen protects your skin from those dreaded UVB rays. These are the rays that burn your skin and increase your likelihood of getting skin cancer. When talking about UPF vs SPF, an SPF 30 product allows about 1/30th of UVB radiation to reach your skin.

However, SPF doesn’t always protect you against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and can make you look older before your time. That’s why it’s important to look for sunscreens labeled broad-spectrum, which protect against both UVA and UVB.

These days, there are many SPF options available, with mineral-based sunscreens, sensitive skin formulas, sport-ready options, and even child-friendly products online and in your local drug store. Also, the SPF range typically goes from SPF 15 up to SPF 50. Some brands offer SPF 100, but not many. 

So, What Exactly Is UPF?

UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, basically refers to the sun protection afforded by certain specially-designed garments. In layman’s terms, it’s fabric SPF. So, it tells you how much UV radiation a piece of clothing will protect you from, and it runs along similar lines to SPF, meaning that a shirt with a UPF rating of 50 will block 1/50th of the sun’s rays (meaning it blocks 98% of UV radiation).

UPF-rated clothing is especially useful for areas where sunscreen can rub off, get missed, or be hard (or annoying) to have to reapply. Long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and even swimsuits can all be made with these UPF-rated materials, giving the wearer reliable protection.

SPF vs UPF: The Key Differences

• SPF applies to skincare products; UPF applies to fabrics.
• SPF measures mostly UVB protection, unless broad-spectrum is specified.
• UPF covers both UVA and UVB by default.

SPF effectiveness can be degraded by profuse sweating, swimming in water, and after 120 minutes of normal wear. UPF protection is passive and steady (although it can degrade if the fabric becomes stretched or worn out).

Why Use Both?

If you’re serious about sun safety, using both UPF and SPF together is your best bet. Sunscreen is essential for exposed areas like your face, hands, and neck, whereas UPF-rated clothing adds an extra layer of protection for the rest of your body.

This joint approach is great if you’re spending extended amounts of time outdoors, such as if you were to go hiking, swimming, or just walking around on a sunny day.

UPF vs SPF – You Don’t Have to Choose One or the Other

Choosing between UPF and SPF isn’t an either/or decision, as it’s about knowing what each one does and using them together to stay better protected. Whether you opt for a mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin, a kid-friendly formula, or a long-sleeved UPF shirt, you’re taking important steps to guard your skin from the sun’s harmful effects.