We’re rethinking your sun protection essentials with skin health as the priority, starting with comfortable UPF clothing designed to protect your skin where and when it matters most. Our mission is simple: to help you live well under the sun.

UV rays are invisible rays from the sun that can quietly damage your skin, even when it doesn’t feel hot out. Too much exposure can cause sunburn, speed up skin aging, and increase your risk of skin cancer. The good news? A few daily habits, like wearing sun-protective clothing, go a long way toward keeping your skin safe.

UVA rays are the ones that sneak deep into your skin and cause things like wrinkles and age spots. UVB rays are what burn your skin on a sunny day. Both types can damage your skin cells and raise your risk of skin cancer, which is why broad-spectrum sun protection matters.

Over time, UV rays can break down the parts of your skin that keep it firm and smooth, like collagen and elastin. That’s what leads to fine lines, sagging, and sunspots. Think of it as fast-forwarding the aging process. Protecting your skin daily helps keep it looking healthy and younger, longer.

UV damage is cumulative, meaning it builds up little by little every time you're outside without protection. That includes daily exposure from things like walking the dog or driving with the windows down. Even if you don’t burn, your skin remembers, and over time, that adds up to visible damage and increased health risks.

The UV index tells you how strong the sun’s UV rays are on a given day, on a scale from 1 to 11+. The higher the number, the faster your skin can get damaged. Checking the UV index forecast each day helps you plan ahead, like wearing UPF clothing or limiting time in direct sunlight when levels are high.

UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., even if it’s cloudy. That’s when your skin is most likely to burn or take on invisible damage. If you’re planning to be outside during those hours, try to stay in the shade, wear sun protective clothing, or check the UV index before heading out.

Yes, you do. Up to 90% of UV rays can pass through clouds, meaning your skin can still get damaged even when it’s overcast or chilly. If you’re outside, your skin is still exposed, so it’s smart to keep up your sun protection routine no matter the weather.

The most effective way is to combine different methods: wear UPF clothing, use broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed areas, and seek shade when possible. It’s also helpful to check the UV index so you know when extra protection is needed. These simple steps can make a big difference over time.

No matter your skin tone, UV rays can still damage your skin. People with more melanin may have a lower risk of burning, but they’re still at risk for sun damage and skin cancer. Everyone benefits from daily sun protection to stay healthy and keep their skin looking its best.

UPF clothing is specially designed to block ultraviolet (UV) rays from reaching your skin. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and the higher the number, the better the protection. It’s like sunscreen you don’t have to reapply, built right into your clothes.

A UPF rating tells you how much UV radiation a fabric blocks. For example, UPF 50 means only 1/50th of the sun’s rays can get through. Ratings typically range from 15 to 50+, with anything UPF 30 or higher considered good, and 50+ offering excellent protection.

UPF 50+ means the fabric blocks at least 98% of UV rays, the highest category of protection. The “plus” indicates that it performs even better than UPF 50 in lab tests. It’s the gold standard for clothing that helps keep your skin safe from sun damage.

These numbers tell you how much UV light gets through the fabric. UPF 30 means 1/30th of UV rays pass through (about 97%), UPF 40 means 1/40th (97.5%), and UPF 50 means 1/50th or less (98% or more). That small difference can really add up if you're spending hours in the sun.

Not always. Polyester can block more UV than some natural fibers, but it depends on the fabric’s weave, weight, color, and any UV treatments. Unless it’s labeled UPF 50+, there’s no guarantee it offers full sun protection.

UPF clothing works by using fabric that’s tightly woven, specially treated, or both, to block UV rays from reaching your skin. Some use mineral-based ingredients like zinc oxide to enhance protection, while others rely on fiber structure alone.

Regular clothes might offer some sun protection, but it’s often minimal and unpredictable. UPF clothing is tested to block a specific percentage of UV rays, usually 98% or more, so you know exactly how protected you are. It’s designed to be breathable, comfortable, and reliable for everyday wear.

Yes. UPF clothing needs to be tested and certified to measure how much UV it blocks and to ensure it provides reliable protection. At Essuntials, our fabrics are independently tested to ensure they meet UPF 50+ standards and maintain protection even after multiple washes.

Yes, UPF clothing is generally safe and well-tolerated, even by people with sensitive skin. Because it’s a physical barrier, not a chemical one like sunscreen, it’s a great choice for kids, those with skin conditions, or anyone looking to avoid irritation.

UPF clothing is a simple, reliable way to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, without needing to reapply. It's great for anyone who spends time outdoors, whether you're walking the dog, at the beach, working outside, or just running errands. It's especially helpful for kids, people with sensitive skin, or those with a history of sunburns.

Yes, by blocking out most of the sun’s harmful UV rays, UPF clothing helps reduce your lifetime exposure to one of the biggest causes of skin cancer. It’s a smart, low-effort way to protect your health every day.

While it can’t reverse damage that’s already happened, UPF clothing can help prevent more from building up. That’s important because UV damage is cumulative, and protecting your skin now helps slow down signs of aging and lowers your future risk.

Any time you’re spending time outdoors. Whether it's running errands, going for a walk, or spending a day at the beach, UV rays can still reach your skin. Wearing UPF clothing is an easy way to stay protected, especially during peak sun hours or when you’ll be out for a while.

UPF clothing is useful all year long. UV rays can damage your skin even on cloudy days, in the winter, or through car windows. If you're outside, or even near a sunny window, it's worth wearing sun-protective clothing.

Many UPF clothing items still offer strong protection when wet, but it can vary by fabric. At Essuntials, our UPF clothing is tested to maintain its sun-blocking power even after swimming or sweating, though performance may vary slightly depending on the fabric type. Check care labels to see which styles offer the best water-resistant protection, especially if you're planning water activities.

Yes, UPF clothing protects the areas it covers, so you don’t need sunscreen underneath it like you would with regular clothes. But you’ll still need sunscreen for uncovered areas like your face, neck, and hands. The two work best together for full protection.

UPF clothing offers consistent, long-lasting protection without needing to reapply. Sunscreen is important for exposed areas, but it can wear off with sweat or water. Together, they offer more complete and hassle-free protection.

High-quality UPF clothing, like Essuntials, is tested to maintain UPF 50+ protection for at least 40 washes. Always follow the care label and replace if fabric becomes worn or stretched.

Wash your UPF clothing in cold water with mild detergent, and skip the bleach and fabric softeners, as they can wear down the UV protection. Tumble dry on low or hang it to dry. Following these steps helps your clothing stay protective for longer, especially if it’s rated for 40 washes or more.

We combine everyday-soft fabrics with lab‑verified UPF 50+ protection that lasts for at least 40 washes. Every style is designed to look and feel like your favorite tee, so staying sun‑safe is as easy as getting dressed.

Our fabrics are sent to independent, third‑party labs that follow AATCC and ASTM standards. Each batch is washed, stretched, and re‑tested to confirm it still blocks 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays after 40 launderings.

Our launch collection ranges from S to XL, and we are working toward adding up to 3XL so more people can enjoy comfortable, reliable sun protection.

Pre‑orders open soon. Join our waitlist to get early access, exclusive discounts, and the latest product updates.

The name Essuntials is a blend of “essentials” and “sun,” because we believe sun protection is essential every day. It’s a reminder that caring for your skin’s health and appearance doesn’t need to be complicated, it just needs to be consistent. By reimagining what daily sun protection looks and feels like, we’re making it simpler to protect your skin—so you can live well under the sun, every single day.

Our logo is a modern interpretation of the lotus, a flower that, like you, rises and rests with the sun each day. Known for thriving in challenging environments, the lotus symbolizes resilience, presence, and harmony with nature’s rhythm—qualities that inspire our mission. At Essuntials, we create sun protection designed to support you in moving through your day with ease, comfort, and confidence—so you can live well under the sun, just like the lotus.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It tells you how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn. For example, SPF 30 means it would take 30 times longer for your skin to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. But no sunscreen blocks 100% of rays, which is why daily protection matters.

Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB causes sunburn, while UVA goes deeper, causing aging and long-term damage. For the best coverage, always choose a sunscreen labeled “broad-spectrum”; it’s your best bet for full UV protection.

For daily use, dermatologists recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. It blocks about 97% of UVB rays, allowing only 1/30 of those rays through. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or have fair or sensitive skin, you may want to go higher for added protection.

Most sunscreens need about 15 minutes to fully absorb and start protecting your skin. That’s why it’s best to apply it before going outside, not after you’re already in the sun. Giving it time to set helps make sure you’re fully protected from the start.

You should reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’re swimming or sweating. Even water-resistant formulas wear off over time, so keeping a bottle handy helps you stay protected all day long, especially when UV levels are high.

Yes, they work best as a team. UPF clothing covers large areas of your body with reliable, all-day protection. But for spots like your face, neck, and hands that aren’t covered, sunscreen fills in the gaps. Using both gives you the most complete defense against UV rays.

Yes! Your lips and scalp are often overlooked, but they’re both vulnerable to UV damage. Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher, and apply sunscreen along your part line or wear a UPF-rated hat. If you have thinning hair or spend a lot of time in direct sun, extra coverage really makes a difference.