What color blocks the most UV rays?

Author: Ceasar Mraz  |  Last update: Monday, May 19, 2025

Of all colors tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best color to wear in the sun. Contrary to the popular belief that they are the coolest colors in the sun, white and yellow were the worst performing colors in terms of UV protection.

What color cancels out UV light?

Dark or bright colors

Darker colors, such as blue or black, absorb more UV rays than lighter shades like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin.

What color absorbs the most UV rays?

Dark or bright colors, including red, black and navy blue, absorb more UV rays than lighter colors like whites and pastels. For example, an everyday white cotton T-shirt has a UPF of only about 5. As a rule of thumb, the more intense the hue, the better protection the clothing will provide.

What blocks 100% of UV rays?

Choose UV sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays for maximum eye protection from the sun. Look for sunglasses labeled UV400, which provide nearly full protection against UV rays. These lenses block light wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, including UVA and UVB rays.

What color holds up best in the sun?

Earth- and neutral-toned colors such as cream, beige, and gray are more resistant to sun exposure and absorb less heat.

What You Wear Outdoors Can Affect Your Exposure to UV and NIR Light

What Colour is most UV resistant?

Choose dark and intense colors for sun protection

A study conducted in Spain found that fabrics with darker or more intense colors tended to have better UV radiation protection than lighter colors. Of all colors tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best color to wear in the sun.

What colors not to wear when it's hot?

Color Reflectivity

Light Colors Reflect Sunlight: Opt for colors like white, light blue, and pastels. These colors reflect more sunlight, helping to keep your body temperature lower. Avoid Dark Colors: Dark colors absorb more heat, making you feel warmer.

What color sunglasses are best for UV protection?

Blue or purple lenses are both fashion-savvy and practical for UV protection. While the blue tint enhances the contours around objects and improves color perception, it also can have a calming effect on the eyes.

What blocks UV rays the best?

Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. Dark colors generally provide more protection than light colors. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. Dry fabric is generally more protective than wet fabric.

Do UV rays go through clothes?

Check a fabric's sun safety by holding it up to the light. If you can see through, UV radiation can easily penetrate the fabric and reach your skin.

What color is best to repel UV?

Of all colours tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best colour to wear in the sun. Contrary to the popular belief that they are the coolest colours in the sun, white and yellow were the worst performing colours in terms of UV protection.

Is it better to wear white or black in the sun?

Black and dark colors absorb more UV rays than other colors, which will ensure they don't hit your skin as much. Essentially, the darker the color, the more sun protection it will offer. Besides black, other dark colors that can provide a level of sun protection include navy, maroon, and dark gray.

What color does not absorb UV?

Whites, off-whites, light grays, and pastel shades of pink, yellow, blue, and green reflect the sun's rays away from your body better than darker colors. These lighter colors don't absorb as much UV light, so wearing them means less exposure for your skin.

What tint blocks UV?

Ceramic or carbon films are high quality tints that block up to 99% of harmful UV radiation. They are much more effective at protecting against UV damage than standard, factory installed tints.

What color to wear to look less sunburned?

While you're getting over a bad burn, dark-colored clothing is your best friend. Remember the old trick of wearing white to look more tan? Well, it also makes you look more sunburned. Tight clothes will rub on your burn and create blisters, while skimpy skirts and tops will expose your burn to more sun.

What color glass blocks UV rays?

Tinted glass such as amber and cobalt blue can block UV light, which can help protect your product from unwanted damage. Green glass bottles, for example, are popular for protecting beverages but offer less protection from UV light than amber or cobalt blue.

What color plastic is most UV resistant?

Dark colored nylon and acetal are good but much more expensive. Acrylic seems to be the go-to transparent plastic for UV exposure. Actual transparent film plastics are not going to be UV resistant with a few expensive exceptions.

Can UV rays pass through curtains?

Premium blackout curtains block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, similar to SPF 50 sunscreen for your windows. Choose darker colors and triple-weave fabrics for the best UV protection. Blackout curtains protect your skin from premature aging and potential damage even when you're indoors.

What clothing is best for sun protection?

Heavier and darker fabrics are more protective than thin and light materials. That means fewer little holes for the sun's rays to pass through. Generally, synthetic and blended-composition fabrics protect better than 100% cotton.

Is grey or brown better for sunglasses?

Amber or brown lenses are excellent for bright, sunny days. However, if you're looking for glasses that will function properly on rainy and cloudy days as well, these shades likely aren't your best bet. For low light conditions and rainy days, stick to gray shades.

Do red lenses block UV?

Besides the fact that, as with other sunglasses, red lens sunglasses protect the eyes from harsh light, sunlight, ultraviolet light, and blue light, they are perfect for the following reasons: 1. They provide comfort to the eyes by making sure they adjust the eyes perfectly to the light and sunlight around them.

What color tint is best for your eyes?

What is the Best Tint Color for Glasses?
  • Gray Tints: Ideal for reducing brightness without altering color perception, making them suitable for everyday use.
  • Brown Tints: Enhance contrast and depth perception, making them perfect for outdoor activities like driving.

What color stays the coolest in the sun?

1. White. It's no surprise white came up as the color that stayed the coolest from the results. Temperature readings showed the surfaces of the white shirts wavered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably low compared to the 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the dark green shirts.

Is black bad to wear in the sun?

This is especially true in the scorching summer months, but black really is the best colour to wear in the sun if you want to protect your skin. It's an easy sacrifice to make for your skin's health. Just as important as ensuring we cover up when we spend time exposed to UV Rays is the colours with which we cover up.

What is the best color to wear on a hot day?

Choose light colors: Wearing light colors that reflect the sun's rays rather than absorb them (as dark colors can) helps keep you cool. Look for shirts, shorts, pants and hats in white, tan or khaki.

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