More than 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are treated in the United States each year. Nearly one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. And approximately 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
These aren’t scare tactics—they’re published statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the AIM at Melanoma Foundation. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country, and the vast majority of cases are preventable through UV protection.
So why are rates still rising? Part of the answer is that most people rely on a single line of defense—sunscreen—and don’t use it correctly. The Skin Cancer Foundation has been increasingly clear about a more reliable alternative: UV-protective clothing.
The Sunscreen Problem
Sunscreen works. Nobody is arguing otherwise. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen blocks about 97% of UVB rays when applied correctly. The issue is that almost nobody applies it correctly.
Research consistently shows that most people apply only 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. That means the SPF 30 on your bottle is functionally performing at SPF 10 or lower. Add in the fact that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours—or immediately after sweating, swimming, or toweling off—and the protection gap widens significantly.
A Skin Cancer Foundation survey found that while 99 percent of sunscreen users apply before sunny beach days, reapplication rates drop to about 80 percent, and only one-third of people reapply on cloudy days. That’s a lot of unprotected skin time.
Why Clothing Outperforms Sunscreen for Covered Areas
UV-protective clothing addresses every weakness that sunscreen has:
-
No reapplication needed. A UPF 50+ fabric blocks more than 98% of UV radiation for as long as you’re wearing it. There’s no two-hour expiration, no sweat degradation.
-
No application errors. You can’t apply a shirt wrong. If the fabric covers your skin, it’s protected. No missed spots, no thin patches.
-
Consistent in water. Sunscreen washes off in the pool and ocean. UPF-rated fabric maintains its UV-blocking capacity whether dry or wet.
-
Blocks both UVA and UVB. SPF only measures UVB. UPF-rated fabrics are tested against both UVA and UVB simultaneously.
The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation program now requires a minimum UPF of 50 for fabrics—blocking at least 98% of UV radiation. The Foundation recommends UV-protective clothing as part of a comprehensive sun-safety strategy, noting that it provides the most reliable coverage for the skin it covers.
The Science of UPF: What the Numbers Mean
Not all clothing is created equal for UV protection. A standard white cotton t-shirt offers roughly UPF 5 to 7—allowing nearly 20% of UV radiation through. Wet that shirt and UPF can drop to 3.
Contrast this with purpose-built UV-protective fabric:
|
Fabric Type |
Approximate UPF |
UV Blocked |
|
White cotton t-shirt |
UPF 5–7 |
80–85% |
|
White cotton (wet) |
UPF 3–5 |
67–80% |
|
Dark polyester athletic |
UPF 15–25 |
93–96% |
|
UPF-rated performance |
UPF 50+ |
98%+ |
The difference is dramatic. Purpose-built UV fabrics use denser weaves, UV-absorbing synthetic fibers, and heavier weight to create a physical barrier that blocks radiation regardless of conditions.
What Active Women Need to Know
If you exercise outdoors—running, cycling, hiking, surfing, outdoor Pilates—your UV exposure adds up fast. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that sun damage is cumulative: only about 23 percent of lifetime UV exposure occurs before age 18, meaning the majority is happening right now, in your adult years.
For active women, the sunscreen-only approach is especially problematic. You’re sweating, which degrades sunscreen within minutes. You’re moving, which means friction removes product. You might be in and out of water. And you’re likely spending more cumulative hours outdoors than average.
UV-protective activewear and swimwear solves this by providing passive, constant protection for the skin it covers. Apply sunscreen to your face, hands, and exposed skin, and your clothing handles the rest.
Building a Complete UV Protection Strategy
The Skin Cancer Foundation, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the World Health Organization all recommend the same layered approach:
-
Layer 1: UV-protective clothing. Cover as much skin as practical with UPF 50+ rated fabric. This is the most consistent, reliable protection.
-
Layer 2: Broad-spectrum sunscreen. Apply SPF 30+ to all exposed skin. Use enough and reapply every two hours or after sweating and swimming.
-
Layer 3: Accessories. Wide-brim hat (3+ inches), UV-blocking sunglasses, and shade when available.
-
Layer 4: Behavior. Minimize direct sun exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM. Seek shade. Plan outdoor workouts for early morning or late afternoon.
No single method provides complete protection. But when you combine UV-protective clothing with sunscreen and smart habits, you create a comprehensive system that works through sweat, water, movement, and long outdoor days.
Where PLAY Fits In
PLAY swimwear is made from 220-weight recycled polyamide with UV protection engineered into the fiber. The dense knit construction and synthetic fiber composition provide meaningful UV coverage for your torso, shoulders, and upper thighs—the areas most exposed during workouts and swim sessions.
Combined with sunscreen on your face, arms, and legs, you have a layered protection system that holds up through an active day. And because the same fabric is also chlorine-resistant, quick-dry, and two-way stretch, you don’t have to sacrifice performance for protection.
Sources: Skin Cancer Foundation, skincancer.org/skin-cancer-facts; American Academy of Dermatology, aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer; AIM at Melanoma Foundation; Skin Cancer Foundation Photobiology Committee, 2025 Seal of Recommendation criteria.
