The Science of Sun Protection: Full Coverage Swimwear

UPF 50+ protection. Less exposed skin. Less sunscreen in our oceans.

Australia experiences some of the highest ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels in the world. For women and children spending time swimming, snorkelling and enjoying the ocean, effective sun protection is essential.

UV radiation is invisible and can damage skin cells long before sunburn appears. Repeated exposure contributes to premature ageing, DNA mutations and skin cancer.

Full coverage sun protective swimwear provides a physical barrier against UV radiation, reducing exposure without relying on sunscreen applied to the skin beneath.

At Salty Goods, our approach to sun safety is grounded in science: reduce UV transmission, maximise skin coverage and minimise unnecessary sunscreen use.

Understanding UVA and UVB Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.

Radiation	Wavelength	Biological effects
UVA	315–400 nm	Oxidative stress, photoageing and DNA damage
UVB	280–315 nm	Sunburn, direct DNA damage and skin cancer
UVC	100–280 nm	Absorbed by the atmosphere under normal conditions

UVA: Damage Beneath the Surface

UVA penetrates more deeply into the skin than UVB, reaching the dermis. It generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cellular structures and contribute to collagen degradation, premature ageing and skin cancer.

UVB: Direct DNA Damage

UVB is particularly effective at causing sunburn. It can produce direct DNA lesions, including cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Incorrect repair of these lesions can contribute to mutations.

Why Sun Protection Matters in Australian Waters

Australia's latitude and atmospheric conditions contribute to high UV exposure. Sun protection is recommended whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or above.

Importantly, UV intensity is not determined by temperature. Significant exposure can occur on cool or cloudy days.

Water does not eliminate UV exposure. Radiation can penetrate beneath the surface, particularly in clear water, while some is reflected at the surface.

Swimming, snorkelling and boating can therefore involve substantial UV exposure, even when the skin feels cool.

How Does UPF 50+ Swimwear Work?

Sun protective textiles reduce ultraviolet transmission through three principal mechanisms:

• Absorption: UV energy is absorbed by fibres, dyes and textile constituents.

• Reflection: Some radiation is redirected away from the material.

• Scattering: Radiation changes direction as it interacts with the fabric structure.

The remaining radiation passes through the material as transmission.

Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) measures how effectively a textile reduces biologically weighted UV transmission.

UPF rating	Approximate UV blocked
UPF 15	93.3%
UPF 30	96.7%
UPF 50	98%
UPF 50+	At least 98%

UPF 50+ is the highest labelled protection category under Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4399:2020.

Unlike sunscreen, UPF-rated clothing does not depend on maintaining an evenly applied topical formulation. However, textile performance can be affected by stretch, wetting and fabric condition.

Why Full Coverage Swimwear Offers Greater Protection

UPF measures the protection provided by fabric, not the amount of skin covered.

A UPF 50+ swimsuit cannot protect exposed arms, legs or shoulders.

Full body swimwear increases the proportion of skin protected by the textile, reducing the surface area exposed to direct UV radiation.

Salty Goods sun protective swimwear features:

• UPF 50+ rated fabric

• Full-length sleeves and legs

• Higher necklines

• Thumb holes for additional hand coverage

• Flexible construction for swimming and water sports

For women and children, full coverage swimwear offers a practical way to reduce UV exposure across large areas of the body.

Physical Sun Protection Versus Sunscreen

Sunscreen and UPF clothing both reduce UV exposure, but they operate differently.

Sunscreen relies on ultraviolet filters applied to the skin. Its effectiveness depends on sufficient application, uniform coverage and reapplication following swimming, sweating or towel-drying.

UPF-rated clothing provides a physical barrier over covered skin without requiring topical reapplication.

For the skin it covers, full-length UPF 50+ swimwear is an effective first-line protection method.

Sunscreen remains important for exposed skin, alongside shade, hats and sunglasses.

Less Sunscreen in Our Oceans

There is another advantage to full coverage swimwear: reducing the amount of sunscreen entering marine environments.

During swimming, some sunscreen ingredients can wash from the skin into surrounding water.

Certain organic UV filters, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been detected in aquatic environments. Laboratory studies have associated exposure to some UV filters with oxidative stress, developmental abnormalities and other adverse effects in marine organisms.

However, the ecological significance of these findings at real-world environmental concentrations remains an area of ongoing research.

Less Exposed Skin Means Less Sunscreen Required

Covering the arms, torso and legs reduces the surface area requiring topical sunscreen.

This provides two benefits:

For your skin: UPF-rated fabric reduces ultraviolet exposure without repeated sunscreen application to covered areas.

For our oceans: Using less sunscreen can reduce one potential source of UV-filter chemicals entering waterways.

Synthetic swimwear also has environmental impacts, including potential microfibre shedding, so protective clothing is not entirely impact-free.

Nevertheless, reducing unnecessary sunscreen use is a practical precautionary approach.

The Salty Goods Approach to Sun Safe Swimwear

Originally developed as a physical barrier against marine stingers, Salty Goods suits also provide full-length UPF 50+ sun protection.

Our women's and children's swimwear combines extensive skin coverage with comfortable stretch construction for swimming, snorkelling and other aquatic activities.

The science is straightforward:

Reduce UV transmission. Cover more skin. Reduce reliance on sunscreen.

Explore Salty Goods full coverage sun protective swimwear for women and kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best swimwear for sun protection?

Look for UPF 50+ rated fabric and extensive body coverage, including long sleeves, full-length legs and higher necklines.

Is full coverage swimwear better than sunscreen?

For covered skin, UPF-rated clothing provides a protective barrier without requiring topical reapplication. Sunscreen remains essential for exposed areas.

Does UPF 50+ protect against UVA and UVB?

Yes. UPF testing measures biologically weighted ultraviolet transmission across the relevant UVA and UVB wavelengths.

Does full body swimwear reduce sunscreen pollution?

Covering more skin reduces the amount of sunscreen needed and can reduce one potential pathway for UV-filter ingredients entering waterways.

Scientific References

• Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) — Sun protective clothing and UPF classification.

• Cancer Council Australia — Sun protection and protective clothing.

• World Health Organization — Ultraviolet radiation and human health.

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — Sunscreen chemicals and coral reefs.

• AS/NZS 4399:2020 — Sun protective clothing: Evaluation and classification.