The best practices for enjoying the sun this summer

How to protect your skin without giving up everything you love about summer

Summer is synonymous with freedom. It's the season of beach holidays, family picnics, paddleboarding, sailing, hiking, long lunches outdoors and endless afternoons by the pool. After months of colder weather, most of us naturally want to spend as much time outside as possible.

Yet summer also brings one of the greatest challenges for our skin: prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Contrary to popular belief, enjoying the sun safely doesn't mean avoiding it altogether. Sunlight plays an important role in our wellbeing, helps regulate our biological clock and contributes to vitamin D production. The objective isn't to fear the sun. It's to understand how UV rays affect our skin and adopt simple habits that dramatically reduce the risk of premature ageing, sunburn and skin cancer.

Many people think sunscreen alone is enough. In reality, dermatologists recommend combining three complementary layers of protection. The first is adopting smart behaviours that reduce unnecessary UV exposure. The second is using physical protection such as UPF 50+ anti-UV clothing and maillots de bain. The third is applying sunscreen correctly to the areas that remain exposed.

Together, these habits allow you to enjoy everything summer has to offer while protecting the skin you'll live in for the rest of your life.

Start with smart sun habits

The best sun protection begins long before you open a bottle of sunscreen.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that heat tells us when UV radiation is dangerous. In reality, UV rays are invisible. You cannot see them, and you often cannot feel them. A cool breeze or mild temperature says nothing about the intensity of ultraviolet radiation.

That's why many people are surprised to come home with sunburn after spending the day at the beach under a cloudy sky or during a spring hike.

Checking the daily UV Index has become just as useful as checking the weather forecast. A sunny day with a UV Index of 9 requires much greater protection than a sunny day with an index of 3. Many weather apps now include this information, making it easy to adapt your plans.

Timing also matters. UV radiation is generally strongest between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., although this varies depending on latitude and season. If possible, schedule outdoor sports, beach walks or children's activities earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. You'll often find temperatures more pleasant and beaches less crowded.

Seeking shade is another habit that makes a significant difference. Shade doesn't eliminate UV exposure because rays are reflected by sand, water and surrounding surfaces, but it considerably reduces the amount of direct radiation reaching your skin. A beach umbrella, a tree or a UV-protective beach tent should be seen as an essential part of your beach equipment rather than an optional accessory.

Hydration is equally important. Heat, wind and salt water accelerate water loss through the skin. Drinking regularly helps maintain your body's natural cooling mechanisms while supporting the skin barrier, which plays an important role in protecting against environmental aggressors.

One behaviour deserves particular attention: tanning intentionally.

For many years, a tan was associated with good health. Today we know that the opposite is true. A tan is not a sign that your skin has become stronger. It is evidence that your skin cells have already been damaged by UV radiation and are producing melanin as a defence mechanism.

Even a dark tan offers protection equivalent to only SPF 3 or 4, far below the SPF 30 or SPF 50 recommended by dermatologists. If you'd like to learn more about this common misconception, our article on Tanning safety & protection explains the science behind tanning and why there is no such thing as a healthy tan.

Winter sports enthusiasts should also remember that UV protection isn't only a summer concern. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, and UV intensity increases with altitude. If you're planning a ski holiday, you'll find practical advice in our guide to sun safety while skiing.

Make clothing your first line of defence

If there is one message dermatologists have increasingly emphasised over the last decade, it is this: the best sunscreen is often the clothing you wear.

This may sound surprising in a world where sunscreen dominates conversations about sun protection, but it makes perfect sense.

Unlike sunscreen, clothing doesn't wear off with sweat, swimming or towel drying. It doesn't need to be reapplied every two hours. It provides constant protection throughout the day and covers large areas of the body that are difficult to protect consistently with cream.

This is where UPF 50+ anti-UV clothing changes everything.

UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, measures how effectively a fabric blocks ultraviolet radiation. A certified UPF 50+ fabric blocks more than 98% of UVA and UVB rays, making it the highest level of protection available for textiles.

Many people assume that any T-shirt provides the same protection. Unfortunately, that's not the case. An ordinary white cotton T-shirt may only offer a UPF of around 5 to 10, and once it becomes wet, its protective capacity often decreases even further.

Specially designed anti-UV maillots de bain, on the other hand, maintain their certified protection whether they're dry or wet. Their tightly woven technical fabrics create a physical barrier between your skin and harmful UV radiation.

This is particularly valuable for children. Anyone who has tried to reapply sunscreen to an energetic five-year-old every two hours knows how challenging it can be. A long-sleeved UPF 50+ swimsuit immediately protects the shoulders, back, arms and chest, leaving far fewer areas requiring sunscreen.

Adults benefit just as much. Whether you're paddleboarding, sailing, surfing or simply reading by the pool, long-sleeved swimwear offers peace of mind while remaining elegant and comfortable.

At Juillet Juillet, every piece is designed around this philosophy. We believe that sun protection should never come at the expense of style. Our collections combine Italian fabrics certified UPF 50+, timeless cuts and thoughtful details that make them easy to wear throughout the day.

Protection doesn't stop with clothing. A wide-brimmed hat shields the face, ears and neck, while quality sunglasses with UV400 lenses protect the eyes from cumulative UV damage. These accessories often receive less attention than sunscreen, yet they play an essential role in a complete sun protection strategy.

If you're unsure which garments provide the best protection, our article How to choose your anti-UV swimsuit explains what to look for when selecting high-quality UPF clothing.

Sunscreen: the essential finishing touch

Once you've adopted smart habits and covered as much skin as possible with protective clothing, sunscreen becomes the final layer of your sun protection strategy.

Its role is simple: to protect the areas that remain exposed.

Your face, ears, lips, neck, hands and feet all deserve special attention. These areas receive significant UV exposure throughout the day and are frequently forgotten.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. For everyday use, SPF 30 is considered the minimum recommendation. For long days outdoors, beach holidays or high UV conditions, SPF 50+ provides additional reassurance.

Application matters just as much as the product itself.

Most people simply don't apply enough sunscreen to reach the level of protection indicated on the bottle. Dermatologists estimate that adults need approximately 30 to 35 millilitres to cover the entire body adequately.

Timing is equally important. Apply sunscreen around 20 minutes before sun exposure so that it forms an even protective layer on the skin. Reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming, excessive sweating or towel drying.

Don't forget the areas most commonly missed: the tops of the feet, behind the ears, the scalp if hair is thin, the back of the neck, the lips and the backs of the hands. These small areas account for a surprisingly high proportion of sunburns and skin cancers.

Choosing a sunscreen also means thinking about the environment. Some chemical UV filters have been associated with harmful effects on marine ecosystems. If possible, choose reef-conscious formulations and reduce the overall amount of sunscreen needed by covering your skin with UPF 50+ clothing whenever possible.

Our article Sunscreen and the environment explores this topic in greater depth.

Small habits, lifelong benefits

Protecting your skin isn't about perfection. It's about consistency.

No one remembers sunscreen every single time. No one spends every sunny afternoon in the shade.

But consistently choosing better habits has a profound effect over a lifetime.

Checking the UV Index before leaving home. Wearing a hat. Packing a bottle of sunscreen in your beach bag. Choosing anti-UV maillots de bain for yourself and your children. Seeking shade during the middle of the day. Scheduling a yearly skin examination with your dermatologist.

Each decision may seem insignificant on its own.

Together, they dramatically reduce cumulative UV exposure while allowing you to continue enjoying everything you love about summer.

Healthy skin isn't built in a single day. It's the result of thousands of small choices made over many years.

Enjoy summer, not sunburn

The best summers aren't measured by how dark your tan becomes. They're measured by the memories you create, the adventures you share and the confidence that comes from knowing you've taken care of yourself and the people you love.

At Juillet Juillet, our mission has always been to make sun protection beautiful, effortless and part of everyday life. Our UPF 50+ anti-UV maillots de bain are designed so that families can spend more time outdoors without compromising on elegance or skin health.

Because the most beautiful summer memories should last forever. So should your skin.

Frequently asked questions

Is UPF 50+ clothing better than sunscreen?

Neither replaces the other. Dermatologists recommend using UPF 50+ clothing as your primary protection and sunscreen on all exposed areas.

Can I get sunburned through clothing?

Yes. Ordinary clothing may allow UV rays to penetrate, especially if the fabric is thin, stretched or wet. Certified UPF 50+ fabrics provide significantly better protection.

Do I need sunscreen if I'm wearing UPF clothing?

Yes. Apply sunscreen to all uncovered skin, including your face, neck, hands and feet.

Can I get sunburned on cloudy days?

Absolutely. Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.