A guide to sun protection in London

Discover how you can stay cool during London's unexpected heatwaves with this guide to sun protection.

Image: Golden hour in London. Photo by Olga Lioncat.

London has been feeling the heat recently; September saw a UK record broken for the number of consecutive days reaching 30 C°. Heatwaves have become more prevalent with climate change as well. The effects may not be as apparent now, but the heat's impact on your skin and body can lead to more severe issues in the long run. With heatwaves becoming more common, proper protection is essential for keeping yourself safe. Fortunately, there are still ways to protect yourself while enjoying London life and exploring the city. Here’s a guide to sun protection in London:

Apply sunscreen always

Sunscreen is often seen as a beach-exclusive item or a sunny day essential, but it’s necessary every day and all year round. Around a quarter of UK adults believe that wearing SPF isn’t necessary in the UK since the sun “isn’t strong enough,” but that is a wrong mindset to have. Regardless of the location, weather, or season, the sun’s UV rays are present and damaging. If you’re going to explore London on a sunny or cloudy day, slather a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30+ onto your face and exposed parts of your skin. This should help protect against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. If you aren’t going to spend much time outdoors, you can compromise by using an SPF moisturiser to keep your skin protected. You may have to be more generous with its application, but it can make a difference.

Wear sunglasses

Your eyes are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection, so sunglasses are a must whenever you go out. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause issues like cataracts, macular degeneration, and photokeratitis. When looking for sunglasses, look for ones with 100% UVA and UVB protection or have a rating of UV 400. If you need glasses and don’t like wearing contacts or switching between frames to stay safe, prescription sunglasses are a great option. You can also quickly get them from top brands that offer enhanced fields of view, ultra-lightweight frames, top-quality lenses and premium filters. Oakley's Holbrook Mix is a great choice, as its Iridium™ lens coating can reduce glare significantly, so you can stay safe and stylish while exploring the streets of London.

Cover up

London may be one of Europe’s cloudiest cities, but it’s still important to get enough coverage from the sun when it does come out. Stay in the shade when the sun is most intense, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also cover up by wearing longer clothes like long-sleeved shirts or trousers. It might make more sense to wear less clothes because of the heat, but more coverage will allow for better protection if you aren’t wearing sunscreen. Wearing a hat with a broader brim is another option, as it helps keep the sun from burning your head, neck, and ears. There’s no need to compromise your usual style, but these adjustments are something to consider if you don’t have other means of sun protection and will be out for a while.

Image: Regents Canal London. Photo by Adrian Dorobantu.

London may not be known for its sunny weather, but sun protection is always a must, especially with rising temperatures. The city may be set to experience more intense heat in the near future, so it’s all the more critical that these measures are taken before stepping out. If you’ve got your sunscreen and shades, try checking out some of the spots on our list of wholesome things to do in London for a laid-back weekend.