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- Every July
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UV Safety Month takes center stage every July, urging everyone to prioritize sun protection during peak outdoor activity. Learn essential tips for safeguarding your skin and eyes, understand the risks of UV exposure, and discover how to make sun safety a daily habit.
Want to sponsor UV Safety Month? Learn how
Expected UV Safety Month Deals
As UV Safety Month unfolds throughout July, expect a wave of awareness campaigns and special offers from brands committed to sun protection. While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that organizations like the Skin Cancer Foundation partner with brands like Coppertone and Neutrogena for educational initiatives and product discounts. Look for promotions on broad-spectrum sunscreens from brands such as Supergoop! and La Roche-Posay, as well as protective clothing from companies like Coolibar. Many retailers, including Target and Ulta Beauty, often highlight sun care essentials with special bundles and loyalty rewards. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July approaches.
Platform Guide for UV Safety Month
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #UVSafetyMonth. Share visual tips on applying sunscreen, showcasing stylish sun-protective clothing, or demonstrating proper shade techniques.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #UVSafetyMonth. Disseminate quick facts about UV index, retweet public health warnings, and share links to educational resources on skin cancer prevention.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #UVSafetyMonth. Host a live Q&A with a dermatologist, share family-friendly sun safety tips, or highlight community events promoting awareness.
UV Safety Month Hero
Dr. Stephen Katz
History of UV Safety Month
U.V. Safety Month is held during summer when most of us spend more time outside making the most of the warmer weather. The longer your exposure, however, the greater your risk of sun damage if you’re unprotected. The sun emits radiation in the form of Ultraviolet or U.V. light, which is classified into three types: U.V.A., U.V.B., and U.V.C. The ozone layer protects the Earth’s stratosphere and blocks the most damaging U.V.C. light, but U.V.B. and U.V.A. light pass through it. U.V.C. radiation can come from artificial sources such as sunlamps or tanning beds.
The Global Solar U.V. Index or U.V.I. describes the level of solar U.V. radiation at the Earth’s surface. The higher the index value, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes.
Radiation from U.V. light is invisible but is always present during the day even when you can’t see or feel the sun. These rays can be harmful to our skin and eyes. Aside from wrinkles and sunburn, exposure is associated with the development of skin cancer. Our eyes can be affected by cataracts, cornea damage, and vision loss if left unprotected in the long term.
The sun is at its peak between 10 am to four pm. Head indoors or under shade during these hours. If you stay outside longer for work or play, sunscreen with a high S.P.F. of at least 30, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and breathable clothing that covers you up can offer the most protection. U.V. rays can pass through clouds. They also reflect off surfaces like sand, snow, cement, and water. That’s why sun protection is important in any season, all year round.
UV Safety Month timeline
The U.V. index (U.V.I.), is developed in Canada in response to growing concerns about the potential increase of U.V. radiation that causes skin and eye damage.
The U.V.I. is adopted by the United States National Weather Service (N.W.S.) and Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) as well as the World Meteorological Organization (W.M.O.) and World Health Organization (WHO).
The U.V.I. is published as a result of a collaboration between the W.M.O., WHO, United Nations Environment Programme, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, and the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection.
The Global Solar U.V.I. is standardized.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology names July U.V. Safety Awareness month.
UV Safety Month FAQs
When is UV Safety Month?
UV Safety Month runs throughout July 2026, dedicating the entire month to raising awareness about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It’s a crucial time to reinforce sun-safe habits as summer activities peak.
How prevalent is skin cancer in the U.S.?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with approximately one in five Americans developing it by age 70. This makes UV Safety Month a critical period for public education and early detection efforts.
What are the common myths about sun protection?
Common myths include believing that tanning beds are safer than sun exposure, that sunscreen prevents all tanning, or that dark skin tones don’t need sun protection. UV Safety Month aims to debunk these misconceptions with factual information.
Is the UV index reliable for daily sun safety?
Yes, the UV Index is a reliable tool, developed by the EPA and the National Weather Service, that forecasts the intensity of UV radiation. It helps individuals plan outdoor activities and apply appropriate sun protection measures daily.
How to Observe UV Safety Month
Head to the water
Beat the heat with a dip in the pool or a swim in the ocean. An impromptu garden hose shower can be delightful. Just be sure to avoid the sun during peak hours and reapply sunscreen afterward if you’ll be spending more time outdoors.
Wear a fun hat
Sun protection and fashion can go hand in hand. Play with colors, prints, and unexpected shapes. Choose one with a wide, all-around brim for the best coverage.
Propose a toast
Remember kicking back with a drink in hand and the breeze in your hair we mentioned earlier? Do it, but in the shade of course! Gather your friends, some drinks (non-alcoholic or otherwise, they all count), and raise a glass to congratulate yourselves on enjoying the summer sun sensibly.
5 Things To Know To Stay Sun Safe
S.P.F. stands for Sun Protection Factor
The SPF number tells you how long the sun’s U.V. rays would take to darken your skin versus the amount of time without any sunscreen.
Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen
This means it can protect you from both U.V.A. rays that cause sunburn and U.V.B. rays that cause skin damage like skin aging.
Not all sunglasses are created equal
Wrap-around or oversized styles offer more protection but make sure they block 99% to 100% of U.V. rays.
U.P.F. clothing can be expensive
Clothes labeled with Ultraviolet Protection Factor or U.P.F. provide a level of certainty but common fabrics like cotton and denim that cover most of your body can offer some protection as well.
Some clothing colors can provide U.V. protection
Darker and more vivid colors absorb more UV than pale colors, making them less likely to reach your skin.
Why UV Safety Month is Important
It reminds us that unprotected sun exposure can also affect our eyes
We immediately associate skin cancer as a negative effect of excessive sun exposure, but our eyes can suffer damage too.
It helps us to be mindful of something we take for granted
The sun has been our planet’s source of energy since time began. It brings us light but it can also cause serious harm if we don’t protect ourselves.
It highlights that sun protection is important all year round
Summer is not the only time we need sunscreen or sunglasses. We need to protect our skin and eyes from sun damage every day of the year.
Social Media Tips for UV Safety Month
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