UV-STOP
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Many people think they don’t need sun protection on a cloudy day. The sun feels less intense and it is often cooler, which can quickly make it seem as though it’s safe to go outside without extra sun protection. Clouds do affect the amount of sunlight that reaches you, but they do not completely block UV radiation. We’ll explore this further in this article.
The sun emits various types of radiation, including UV radiation. Clouds can block some of the sunlight, but not all of it.
That is why UV radiation passes through clouds and can still reach your skin on a cloudy day. The amount of radiation can vary, however. Sometimes some of it is filtered out, but with thin or light cloud cover, UV radiation can still be relatively strong.
This means that on a cloudy day, you can still get sunburnt or suffer skin damage, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Because UV radiation can pass through clouds, you can be exposed without realising it, even when you think it’s safe. You often only realise you’ve had too much sun when your skin turns red or feels more sensitive later on.
In everyday life, this happens more often than you might think. Whether you’re out for a walk, working in the garden, exercising outdoors or even spending a day shopping in town, you’re outside and therefore exposed to UV radiation. On cloudy days, sun protection is often overlooked, precisely because it feels less ‘sunny’.
Clouds act as a kind of filter, but they do not form a complete barrier against UV radiation. Some types of cloud allow relatively large amounts of UV light through, whilst others block more. The effect therefore varies depending on the situation and the day.
In addition, UV radiation can also reach your skin via reflection, for example from water, sand or light-coloured surfaces. This means that even when light is scattered by clouds, you can still be exposed to UV radiation.
The idea that a grey sky automatically offers protection from the sun is therefore incorrect.
One of the trickiest things about UV radiation is that you can’t see it or really feel it. This makes it difficult to gauge how much exposure you’re getting in a day.
It is precisely on cloudy days that this risk is often underestimated. Because the sun feels less intense, protection seems less necessary, whilst UV radiation is still present.
This invisible exposure can have long-term effects on the skin, especially if you are frequently outdoors without protection.
Sunscreen remains an essential staple, even when it is cloudy. Yet, on days like these, people often forget to apply it or reapply it less frequently, as they feel it is unnecessary.
With UV-STOP Protection Wash, you give your clothing a UV-protective effect up to UPF 50+. This gives your clothing an extra protective layer against UV radiation, even at times when you don’t apply (or reapply) sun cream or don’t think about it.
Do clouds block UV radiation? Only partially. They reduce the intensity, but do not completely eliminate the risk. That is why it is important to look not only at the weather conditions, but also at the invisible presence of UV radiation.
This way, you can continue to enjoy outdoor activities whilst better protecting your skin against the effects of UV radiation, even on days when the sun is not visible.
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UV-STOP
Do clouds completely block UV radiation?
No, clouds do not completely block UV radiation. They can filter out some of it, but UV rays still reach your skin, even on cloudy days.
Does UV radiation penetrate clouds?
Yes, some UV radiation does pass through clouds. This means you can still be exposed to it on cloudy days without realising it straight away.
Can you get sunburnt when it’s cloudy?
Yes, that’s possible. Because UV rays can penetrate clouds, your skin can still be damaged or burnt, even when the sun isn’t shining brightly. This means sun protection is important at all times.
Is sun protection necessary in cloudy weather?
Yes, sun protection remains important. UV rays are still present on cloudy days, meaning your skin is still exposed. With UV-STOP Protection Wash, you can make your clothes UV-resistant and protect yourself from the sun.
Why does the sun feel less intense on a cloudy day?
This is because clouds block and scatter some of the sunlight. As a result, less direct sunlight reaches your skin, making it feel cooler and less intense. However, UV radiation is invisible and works differently from heat or visible light. Even when the sun is not clearly visible, UV radiation can still pass through the clouds and reach your skin.