Your Quick Guide for Sun Protective Clothing and Swimwear: SPF is for Sunscreen; UPF is for Clothing & Swimwear
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Some manufacturers and even some websites describe their clothing as SPF protective. However, as we all know, SPF was designed for and describes a sunscreen's protectiveness and not clothing. However......
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. To help the consumer better determine the unique protection a garment has, a UPF rating system has been developed. The UPF rating system was first developed by the Australian Government to inform and protect their citizens from the sun's very harmful rays in the Land-Down-Under. Shoppers should only consider buying a UV garment that as a UPF rating (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and moreover, from a reputable company and/or manufacturer that promotes the UPF rating system. Such great and widely know companies as Patagonia, Marmot, Columbia, Speedo, Sportif, and RailRiders only use the UPF rating system. Alex & Me Company was the first multi-brand UV Retail store in the US and to this end, we only carry such brands that use the UPF System to ensure our thousands of loyal customers that they are only getting the very best protection from their UV/UPF sun protective apparel item.
Below is the Australian/New Zealand Standard for Sun Protective Clothing and Swimwear, which is now considered the industry standard in rating such sun protective clothing :
UPF Ratings and Protection Categories
UPF Rating
Protection Category
% UV radiation Blocked
UPF 15 – 24
Good
93.3 - 95.9
UPF 25 – 39
Very Good
96.0 - 97.4
UPF 40 and over
Excellent
97.5 or more
UPF50+
Considered the Ultimate in UV Sun Protection
Health Note: UPF Sun Protective Clothing and UPF Sun Protective Swimwear is specifically designed to block the sun’s harmful UV radiation from damaging the skin (widely known as UVA/UVB/UVC rays).Exposure to such UV radiation can not only cause sunburn, but also long lasting damage resulting in premature skin aging and/or skin cancer. To help the consumer better determine the protection a garment has, a UPF rating system has been developed.
The Alex & Me Company began as a children's sun protective UV/UPF swimwear company back in 1997. In fact, we were arguably the first United States company to import SPF/UPF sun protective UV swimwear from Australia - where sun protection is a must! Since then we have grown to where we have the largest brand selection of sun protective UV/UPF baby swimwear and UV/UPF baby apparel. In keeping with this tradition, we only carry quality children's and babies sun protective UV/UPF swimwear that have been tested by the world's leading laboratories. All our manufactures' UV/UPF baby swim fabrics have been tested to prevent the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays from damaging the skin and are also highly resistant to chlorine and salt water damage. As with all our UV/UPF baby swimwear & UV/UPF baby clothing....... no sacrifices are made when it comes to our designs and styles. And now with all our new baby brands, there is truly a UV/UPF baby swimwear style for ever mother's and child's taste! But above all, be confident and secure that you’re dealing with one of the oldest and most established UV/UPF sun protective retailers in the world!
The Alex & Me Company only carries quality UPF /SPF sun protective children's and babies UV swimwear. All our manufactures baby swim fabrics have been tested to prevent the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays from damaging a baby's skin and are highly resistant to chlorine and salt water damage. Many of our baby UV swimwear items also include convenient snaps for diaper changes. And as with all are clothing....... no sacrifices are made when it comes to our designs and styles.