What is High UV Index?

If you’re planning a day outdoors, you most likely check your weather app. Where, if you keep scrolling past the highs and the lows, you'll see a UV index number. Have you ever wondered what this number means and how it affects your day—and your skin—especially if the UV index is high?

In this article, we’ll cover what a high UV index is, learn what UV index means, and its implications on your skincare routine. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to protect your skin from potential damage caused by sun exposure.

Introduction to the UV Index

First things first: What is the UV index? The UV index is a chart that measures the strength of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation for a specific day, time, and place. The index is marked by a number between 1 and 11+, with 11+ being the highest.

Knowing this number can not only help you plan your day but also help you keep your skin protected from harmful UV rays at their strongest.

How the UV Index Works

The UV index works by using a color-coded, numbered scale that indicates the amount of UV exposure at any given time.

Here’s how it's coded:

• Low exposure (green): 1-2
• Moderate exposure (yellow): 3-5
• High exposure (orange): 6-7
• Very high exposure (red): 8-10
• Extreme exposure (violet): 11+

Keep in mind that these levels are an indicator of UV radiation from the sun, not the temperature. But, like the temperature, the UV level rises and falls throughout the day.

There are a lot of factors that affect the UV index. These include:

• Cloud Cover or Smog: Cloudy or even smoggy days can often block UV radiation, making the UV index lower.
• Ozone Layer: The thickness of the ozone layer varies around the world. If you’re in an area where the ozone layer is thicker, the UV index may be lower, while it may be higher in places where the layer is thinner.
• Ground Reflection: If you’re on a surface that reflects light, like snow or water, the UV index may be higher.

Types of UV Rays

When considering the UV (ultraviolet) index, it’s important to know the difference between UV rays and their effects on the skin.

There are several types of ultraviolet rays, most typically categorized into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC. The difference between these types is their wavelengths:

• UVA: 315 to 399 nm
• UVB: 280 to 314 nm
• UVC: 100 to 279 nm

The wavelength of each type determines whether or not they can reach the Earth’s surface.

For the most part, the UV rays that can penetrate the ozone layer (and can harm your skin) are UVA rays. The ozone layer absorbs most UVB rays, but some make it to Earth, which is why you should always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, protecting your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

The Impact of UV Exposure

Protecting your skin from the sun is a daily undertaking, no matter the UV index. The effects of short-term UV exposure can range from sunburn to sun poisoning, which can lead to a medical emergency. Over time, not wearing sunscreen daily could result in long-term health problems like increased risk of skin cancer as well as premature aging.

Practical Sun Protection Tips

If you are venturing out on a day with a high UV index, there are some ways to ensure you’re keeping your skin safe from overexposure to harmful UV rays.

Plan your outdoor activities safely by:

• Wearing protective clothing. Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your face and neck and long sleeves and pants to help keep UV rays off your skin during high-UV times. And don’t forget your sunglasses!
• Staying out of the sun during peak hours. When the sun is strongest, avoid unprotected sun exposure to UV rays to protect your skin from sun damage. This is typically between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wearing the right sunscreen every single day. Whether you prefer mineral or chemical, make sure you choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every two hours.

Taking these precautions for UV protection can help keep your skin safe, even when the UV index is high. If you’re looking to get the appearance of a day spent in the sun without the health risks, sunless tans are a great way to glow without sun exposure.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

The best daily sunscreen is the one you love to wear. There are a lot of options when it comes to SPF, but it’s essential that you select a formula that’s broad spectrum, or covers both UVA and UVB rays. This can be mineral or chemical but should have at least an SPF 30 level of sun protection.

Once you’ve found your formula, don’t forget to reapply. Especially if you’ve been swimming, sweating, toweling off, or it’s been two hours since your last application.

Essential Strategies for Effective Sun Protection

Although understanding what UV index means is important for effective sun protection, using sunscreen daily, regardless of the index, is essential to the vitality of your skin.

If you want to find your next favorite formula to keep your skin safe on high (or low) UV index days, explore COOLA’s range of broad-spectrum sunscreens for optimal skin health and protection.