Coolibar FAQ

Yes. Most sunscreens last about three years. After that, they don't protect you from harmful UV rays as well, leaving your skin vulnerable to sunburn, premature aging and even skin cancer.

Check the bottom or back of the bottle for an expiration date. If you only see a lot number, the first two digits typically represent the year it was manufactured: count about three years from then. Expired sunscreen may also change in texture, color or smell, and heat, like a hot car, can degrade it even before the expiration date.

Tip: write the purchase date on the bottle and replace it after two years. Coolibar UPF 50+ clothing provides long-lasting coverage that won't fade or degrade over time.

Yes, on any exposed skin. Coolibar UPF 50+ fabrics block 98% of UVA and UVB rays and keep that protection through countless washes, sweat, chlorine and saltwater, but areas like your face, neck, ears, hands and feet usually stay uncovered.

• Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen generously to all exposed skin.
• Reapply every two hours, and after swimming, sweating or toweling.
• Use a lip balm with SPF 30+ and don't forget the tops of your ears.
• Wear a wide-brim hat and sunglasses that block 99–100% of UV rays.

Layering UPF clothing, sunscreen and accessories is especially important during water sports or at high altitude, where UV exposure intensifies.

Yes. Hats are great for protecting your scalp and hairline, where melanoma and other skin cancers can be located, and a hat with a 3 inch brim usually covers the scalp, the tops of the ears and the front of the face. But a hat doesn't cover your entire face.

UV rays reflect and scatter off surfaces like grass, sand, water, snow and concrete, often reaching under the brim. These indirect rays can cause sunburn, skin cancer, skin aging and sunspots.

For the best protection, wear a wide brim hat and apply a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to your cheeks, throat and chest, reapplying every 2 hours, especially when sweating or near reflective surfaces.

Absolutely. UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn, are less intense in fall and winter as the days shorten and the sun's angle becomes less direct. UVA rays, however, remain the same throughout all seasons. They penetrate deeply into the skin, causing premature aging, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity, and can pass through clouds, windows and even vehicles, so overcast days and sitting by a window count too.

Overexposure to UVA rays also contributes to skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma, so protecting your skin every day of the year matters.

The most reliable protection is UPF 50+ clothing, which won't wash off or wear off during the day. Coolibar's cold-weather sun protection is made for comfort and style in every season. Complete your routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed areas like your face, neck and hands.

Yes. Dark skin has more melanin, which gives some natural protection from UV rays, but it doesn't prevent sun damage or skin cancer. Although lighter skin tones have the highest incidence of skin cancer, people with darker skin often face a higher mortality rate, because their skin cancers are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage. Skin cancer can also appear on overlooked areas like the hands, feet or nails.

UV exposure can cause premature aging, hyperpigmentation and sunburn in all skin tones. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every two hours, wear UPF 50+ clothing, which blocks 98% of harmful UV rays, and check your skin regularly, including your feet, palms and beneath your fingernails.

Sunlight does trigger Vitamin D production in your skin, but there are safer and equally effective ways to get it. The World Health Organization (WHO) and The Skin Cancer Foundation strongly advise against relying on sunlight as your primary source of Vitamin D, as the risks of UV exposure far outweigh the benefits.

• Vitamin D-rich foods: fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna, egg yolks, fortified milk, orange juice and cereals, and mushrooms such as maitake and portobello.
• Supplements: a daily multivitamin or Vitamin D supplement, especially in winter or if you live somewhere with limited sunlight.

When you're outdoors, wear UPF 50+ clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Coolibar is a leader in UPF 50+ fabric technology, and every garment, hat and accessory we make carries a UPF 50+ rating that blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays. We guarantee that protection through extensive, scientific testing:

• Fabrics are tested for consistency and durability, including stretching and shrinkage.
• Materials are tested against chlorine, saltwater and detergents that can weaken UV protection in standard fabrics.
• Colors and dyes are tested to stay vibrant and protective after repeated washing.
• All products comply with local regulations and standards in every country where we sell.

If you're not satisfied, our Returns page explains how to return eligible items, and our Customer Care team is always happy to help.

At Coolibar, we provide the most advanced sun protection available. While SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how well sunscreen protects against sunburn caused by UVB rays, UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how much UVA and UVB radiation a fabric blocks. Coolibar’s UPF 50+ clothing blocks 98% of harmful UV rays, offering consistent, all-day protection that sunscreen alone cannot match. With Coolibar, there’s no need to reapply—our protection is built into every thread, trusted by millions, and recommended by dermatologists worldwide.

Use about 1 ounce of sunscreen, roughly a shot glass full, to cover all exposed skin on your body for each application, and more depending on your body size. Wearing UPF 50+ clothing means less skin to cover. Most people use only 25–50% of the recommended amount, so don't skimp.

• Reapply every two hours, and immediately after swimming or toweling off.
• If you're sweating heavily, reapply every 40 to 80 minutes, depending on the sunscreen's labeled water resistance.
• Don't miss ears, neck, scalp and tops of feet.
• Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.

No. Cumulative UV damage, whether from the sun or tanning beds, poses serious risks to your skin. Tanning beds emit concentrated levels of UVA and UVB rays that damage DNA, and studies show that using a tanning bed before age 35 can increase the risk of melanoma by 75 percent. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies tanning beds as a Group 1 carcinogen, the same category as tobacco and asbestos.

If you love the bronzed look, self-tanners are a much safer alternative. Choose one with SPF, or apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on top. Outdoors, add UPF 50+ clothing for extra protection.

Yes. Skin cancer doesn't just affect older adults: melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people under 30, especially women. Sun damage is also cumulative and irreversible, and experts estimate that up to 90% of visible aging is caused by sun exposure, from wrinkles and fine lines to dark spots.

UV rays are present year-round, even on cloudy days, so build simple habits now:

• Wear UPF 50+ clothing, which blocks 98% of UV radiation.
• Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to exposed skin daily and reapply every two hours in direct sunlight.
• Add wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Seek shade from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

No. The idea of a protective "base tan" is a dangerous misconception. A base tan provides only a minimal SPF of 2–4, which offers little to no defense against harmful UV rays, and it can give a false sense of security that leads to more sun exposure and greater skin damage.

Sun damage is cumulative. Any tan, however slight, is a sign that your skin cells are producing melanin to shield themselves, which indicates DNA damage, not protection. It contributes to premature aging, hyperpigmentation and an increased risk of skin cancer, regardless of skin tone.

Instead, embrace your natural skin tone and pack Coolibar UPF 50+ clothing, combined with sunscreen on exposed areas, to enjoy your vacation safely.

Yes. Tanning is your skin's response to UV radiation, which causes direct damage to cellular DNA. That damage accumulates over time, increasing the risk of skin cancer. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and it's now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer.

UV exposure also causes photoaging: wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin and uneven pigmentation. And just one sunburn during childhood or adolescence can significantly increase the risk of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. There's no such thing as a safe tan from UV exposure.

For a sun-kissed glow, try self-tanners. To protect your skin, wear UPF 50+ clothing, which blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily and seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Yes. UPF measures how much of the sun's UV radiation a fabric lets reach your skin. A UPF 50 fabric lets only 1/50th through, so just 2% reaches your skin. Here's how the levels compare:

• Moderate: UPF 10 to 19, blocking 90–95% of UV radiation.
• High: UPF 20 to 29, blocking 95–96.6% of UV rays.
• Very High: UPF 30 to 49, allowing only 2–3% UV transmission.
• Maximum: UPF 50+, blocking 98% of UV rays.

Only UPF 50+ offers the highest standard for long-term outdoor exposure. Weave density, color, fabric weight, stretch and water exposure all affect protection. For exposed skin, add a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.

Absolutely, and Coolibar is their top choice. Dermatologists consistently recommend UPF clothing as the most effective way to prevent sunburn, skin aging, and skin cancer. Coolibar’s UPF 50+ clothing is not only trusted by medical professionals but also the first clothing brand to receive the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation for our entire line. When dermatologists think of sun protection, they think of Coolibar.

Not really. A typical dry cotton tee-shirt only provides a UPF of about 5, far from enough to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Once it gets wet from sweat, seawater or pool water, it blocks a mere 3% of UV rays, because wet cotton fibers stretch and create gaps.

Coolibar tee-shirts are rigorously tested to offer UPF 50+ whether dry or wet, blocking 98% of UVA/UVB rays, and keep their protection after exposure to sweat, chlorine and saltwater.

For a day at the beach, wear a UPF 50+ tee over your swimsuit, apply a water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to exposed skin, and add a wide-brim hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

We're here to help. Coolibar takes every concern about our UPF 50+ protection seriously, so please let us investigate:

1. Contact our Customer Care team as soon as possible with your name, contact information and a description of your concern.
2. We'll send you a prepaid shipping label and instructions for returning your garment for testing.
3. Our team will review the garment's original testing data and perform UPF testing to confirm its current level of protection.

Customer Care will follow up with you during business hours. Many customers depend on our products for essential UV protection, and your safety and trust matter to us.

UVA and UVB are the two main types of ultraviolet rays that damage skin.

• UVA, the "aging" rays: they penetrate deep into the dermis and harm collagen and elastin, causing fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. They also cause cellular-level DNA damage that can increase the risk of skin cancer, particularly melanoma.
• UVB, the "burning" rays: shorter but more intense, they affect the outer layers of the skin and cause sunburn, brown spots and uneven skin tone. They play a critical role in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Clothing remains the most reliable way to protect against both. UPF 50+ clothing blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays. Add a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with 99–100% UV protection, and seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when rays are strongest.

The "+" is our commitment to superior sun protection. The universal UPF rating system stops at 50: anything that blocks more than 98% of UV rays qualifies as UPF 50. Coolibar's fabrics are rigorously tested to perform well above that published standard, giving you an extra margin of safety, especially if you're sensitive to the sun or at risk of skin damage.

Our sun protection is embedded at the fiber level, so it stays effective through laundering, sweat, salt water and chlorine. For complete protection, pair UPF 50+ clothing with sunscreen and shade.

Broad spectrum means protection against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays cause sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper, causing wrinkles, dark spots and even skin cancer.

• SPF: protects against UVB rays (sunburn).
• SPF Broad Spectrum: protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• UPF: protects against UVA and UVB rays, without the need to reapply.

UPF clothing like Coolibar is automatically broad spectrum. Our UPF 50+ products block 98% of harmful rays, while regular clothes often let 20% of UV rays through. Coolibar was the 1st clothing company to receive The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, and our protection doesn't wash out. Learn more from The Skin Cancer Foundation.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number on a sunscreen label indicates how well it protects against sunburn caused by UVB rays. SPF is not a measure of time: it compares how long it takes untanned skin to redden with sunscreen versus without it. For example, 300 seconds with sunscreen ÷ 10 seconds without = SPF 30.

SPF only measures UVB protection, so choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to also block UVA rays. Higher SPF helps, but less than you might think: SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50+ about 98%. Proper use matters more:

• Use about 1 ounce of sunscreen, roughly a shot glass full, to cover all exposed skin on your body, and more depending on your body size.
• Reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating.

No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays, so pair it with shade, sunglasses and UPF 50+ clothing.

UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, indicates how effectively a fabric shields your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Unlike SPF, which applies only to sunscreen and measures protection against UVB rays, UPF measures a fabric's ability to block both UVA and UVB rays, which are linked to skin aging, DNA damage and an increased risk of skin cancer.

A garment rated UPF 50 allows only 1/50th of the sun's UV rays to reach your skin, blocking 98% of UV radiation. Every Coolibar clothing item, accessory and product carries a minimum UPF 50+ rating, so you get consistent protection across our entire line, without reapplying sunscreen on covered areas.

Both protect against harmful UV rays, but they work differently.

• Mineral sunblocks use natural ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to form a protective layer that physically blocks and reflects UVA and UVB rays. Protection begins immediately after application. They're ideal for sensitive skin, babies and children, and are considered reef-safe. Modern and tinted formulas leave less of a white cast.
• Chemical sunscreens use ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone and octinoxate to absorb UV rays and release them as heat. They're lightweight and leave no visible residue, but may irritate sensitive skin, and some ingredients have been linked to coral reef damage, leading to bans in places like Hawaii and Palau.

Whichever you choose, reapply every two hours and after swimming or heavy sweating.

Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips lack melanin, the pigment that provides natural protection from UV rays. That makes them highly susceptible to sunburn and chronic dryness, which can lead to actinic cheilitis, a precancerous condition, or even lip cancer.

Lip skin is also thinner, with only three to five cellular layers compared to up to 16 on your face, so it loses moisture quickly in dry, windy or cold conditions. Licking your lips makes the dryness worse.

The fix is simple: use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher every day, whether you're at the beach, on the slopes or running errands.

Sun damage adds up. Every time your skin is exposed to UV radiation, small amounts of damage accumulate over time, leading to premature aging, dark spots and a higher risk of skin cancer. That's why everyday protection matters, not just on beach days.

Sun protective clothing gives you a consistent physical barrier. Coolibar's UPF 50+ fabrics block 98% of UVA and UVB rays, with protection built into the fabric, while sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours for each day you spend in the sun.

That makes the sun protection you wear a healthier, safer and more consistent choice for anyone who prioritizes skin health. Our garments are designed to make sun protection effortless and reliable, trusted by millions and recommended by dermatologists.