Sun-Kissed, Not Sun-Stressed: How to Stay Safe

he sun is part of everything we love about summer. It makes beach days brighter, hikes more memorable, and even lazy afternoons feel golden. We book holidays around it, plan weekend escapes for it, and pause to soak in the sunset when it shows up.

And for good reason, Sunlight can boost your mood, help your body make vitamin D, support immunity, and improve your sleep. It wakes us up, keeps us going, and feels like nature’s reward for making it through winter.

The sun is good for us but without proper protection, it can speed up ageing, trigger pigmentation, and quietly cause long-term skin damage. Most of it happens beneath the surface. You may not see it straight away, but your skin remembers every hour in the sun.

So how do we enjoy the sun without the damage? Start with smart, everyday habits. Here's the truth behind some common sun myths and what to do instead.

 

1. Tanning isn’t a glow. It’s a sign of damage.
When your skin tans, it’s producing melanin to shield itself from UV radiation. That bronze tone offers minimal protection equivalent to SPF 2 to 4. It won’t stop deeper damage or skin ageing. A tan might look good, but it means your skin is working overtime to defend itself.

2. You don’t have to burn to get sun damage.
A tan means your skin is trying to protect itself from sun damage. And skin damage isn’t just sunburn, it can show up as redness, tenderness, itching, or even before you notice anything at all. They work quietly beneath the surface, leading to fine lines, uneven tone, loss of elasticity, and pigmentation. The damage adds up over time, and with it, the risk of skin cancer increases.

3. Melanin helps but it’s not armour.
Darker skin tones do offer some natural UV protection, but not enough. In fact, skin of colour is more prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation and deeper scarring. Sun safety matters for everyone, every shade.

4. Most clothes don’t block UV rays.
Light cottons and sheer fabrics let a lot of sunlight through. It might feel good, but it’s often UPF 5 or lower. You need UPF50+ for real protection blocking over 98% of UVA and UVB rays.

5. UV rays reach you even on cloudy days.
Up to 80% of UV radiation passes through clouds. So even if it looks grey outside, your skin is still exposed.

6. Sitting by the window? Still counts.
Glass blocks UVB (which causes burns), but not UVA (which causes ageing). Long drives, window seats, or sunrooms? Still need protection.

7. Sunscreen rubs off. UPF doesn’t.
Sunscreen is essential. But it fades with sweat, water, and time. Even "once-a-day" formulas need reapplying every 2 hours. UPF clothing gives you built-in protection that doesn’t need reapplication.

 

So, what should you do?

• Seek shade especially from 11am to 3pm
• Wear UPF50+ clothing and wide-brimmed hats
• Use sunscreen on exposed skin and reapply often
• Don’t rely on clouds, windows, or myths

At EKOE, we believe in sun protection that respects your skin and the planet. Our UPF50+ sarongs are lightweight, breathable, and plastic-free, so you can stay outside longer, without the worry.