Sun Protection
Purpose
Sun protection is so important, especially if you're traveling to a warmer climate and you're not used to the hot sun. Sunscreen is a great way to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. All of our sunscreen sprays and lotions are free from oxy-benzone and other chemicals that are harmful to the reef and other marine life. A rashguard or UV shirt is another great option to keep your skin protected without using sunscreen, and you don't have to worry about it washing off our skin while scuba diving or snorkeling.
Rashguards / UV Shirts / Sun Shirts
Sun Protection
A rashguard, also referred to as a UV shirt or sun shirt, will provide excellent protection from direct sun exposure. A cotton tshirt, just as an example, will provide some protection from the sun, but not to the same extent as the material of a rashguard, which can provide as high as 50+ UV protection. This makes them excellent for wearing on their own while snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, boarding, laying at the beach, or just enjoying the outdoors during a sunny day. When worn under a wetsuit, they create a barrier between your skin and the wetsuit which prevents skin rubbing and chafing that can result in an uncomfortable rash or abrasion.
Thermal Protection
If you're looking for extra warmth while enjoying your water sports activities, a rashguard will provide a very small amount of extra thermal protection. Worn on its own, it will provide a negligible amount of thermal protection. If worn under a wetsuit, it will create a nice barrier between your skin and the wetsuit, as well as the water that enters the wetsuit, so you may find it will provide a small amount of extra thermal protection.
Fit
Rashguards in general fit on the small side. You want them to be snug, but comfortable. If they are worn too loose, you'll find that once they are wet, they are flapping around all over the place, especially if worn on their own. If you're wearing it as a regular tshirt for use on the surface, you can go a bit looser if you like. Please read the description for each of our rashguard products for advice on how each one fits.
Comfort
The material has a bit of stretch to it making it easy and comfortable for activities where you are moving around a lot. Also breathes nicely so overheating while wearing is not usually an issue.
Sunscreen
Many popular diving, snorkeling, and beach destinations around the world are starting to ban chemicals that are harmful to the reef and marine life. All of the sunscreen sprays and lotions that we sell are reef safe, eco-friendly, biodegradable and are deemed safe for use in the ocean and lakes. Check out this article by Stream2Sea regarding sunscreen ingredients.