Suncare / UPF Clothing
The European summer starter pack is pretty predictable. Linen pants. Linen button-up. Oversized sunglasses. A tote bag that costs too much.
But before you zip up your suitcase, let's talk about something most people don't realize: not all clothing protects your skin equally.
Your Clothes Have SPF Too
Technically it's called UPF — Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Think of it as sunscreen for fabric. The higher the UPF, the less UV radiation reaches your skin. A UPF 50 fabric blocks about 98% of UV rays.
Linen Isn't the Superstar People Think
We love linen. It's breathable, it's chic, it practically screams "I summer in Europe." But linen is often woven loosely — and when light can pass through fabric, UV rays can too. A thin white linen shirt may offer protection similar to only a few SPF points.
If you can see light through it, UV rays are probably finding their way through too.
So What Fabrics Work Better?
- Darker colors block more UV than lighter colors
- Tighter weaves block more UV than loose weaves
- Synthetic performance fabrics often outperform natural fibers
- Purpose-built UPF fabrics are the gold standard
That doesn't mean you need to throw away your vacation wardrobe. It just means your linen set may not be doing as much heavy lifting as you thought.
The Bottom Line
Pack the linen. Wear the cute outfit. Take the boat day. Just don't assume your wardrobe is handling all of your sun protection for you. Sunscreen still matters. Hats still matter.
And that's exactly why we created REYS — a daily suncare supplement designed to support skin resilience, collagen preservation, and skin barrier health with clinically studied ingredients.*
Because your vacation photos should age well too.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.