When you open the weather app on your phone, it's likely you're paying attention to today's temperature or checking if it's going to rain this afternoon. But have you ever wondered what the mysterious number under "UV Index" means?
If you care about protecting your skin from the sun, you should know all about the UV Index. So what is it and why is it important? We’re answering all of that and more below!
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Asked & Answered
What is the UV Index?
What is the UV index?
The UV (Ultraviolet) Index is a numbered scale from 1 (low) to 11+ (extremely high) that measures the expected intensity of UV radiation from the sun. It encompasses both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. In the U.S., the National Weather Service calculates the forecast for most ZIP codes as the forecast can vary from area to area due to things like weather, elevation and ozone depletion.
Here's a breakdown of this scale:
- 1-2: These will be labeled green and mean there’s a low risk of getting UV damage.
- 3-7: Numbers 3-5 will shown in yellow, and 6-7 in orange to signify a moderate to high risk of UV damage, respectively. On these days, it's important to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 protection (for the record, all Supergoop! sunscreens meet this criteria!) and to take measures like wearing a hat and sunglasses and seeking shade in the late morning through mid-afternoon.
- 8-11+: Numbers 8-10 will be labeled red, which means there's a very high risk of UV damage, while 11+ will be shown in purple, meaning there's an extreme risk. On these days, it's extra important to take the sun safety measures we described above.
Why should I care about the UV Index?
Up to 90% of the visible signs of skin aging are caused by the sun, and 1 in 5 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. So for happier, healthier-looking skin, it's important to pay attention to the UV Index and take steps to keep yourself protected!
So does this mean I should check the UV Index number every day?
If you already check your weather app every morning (join the club!), it doesn’t hurt to start paying attention to the UV Index number and preparing accordingly. But if you’re just not down for that, you could get a good read on the day’s UV Index by using The Shadow Rule.
Wait, what's the shadow rule?
The Shadow Rule is a simple way to gauge how much UV exposure you're getting! If your shadow is shorter than you, your UV exposure is likely lower. On the flip side, if it's longer than you (often around midday), you're probably being exposed to high levels of UV.
