Some sun hats are designed with dark underbrims that help stop any light from reflecting onto your face. This added level of sun protection can be crucial if you’re hiking in the alpine or on snow. The Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat has an extra long brim and added cape making it super protective from UV rays; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) Water resistance. While sunscreens can’t claim to be waterproof, they can be labeled water resistant for either 40 or 80 minutes. Yes, you can burn even when you’re in the water, so reapplying is key!

Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October. if you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear suitable clothing, including a hat (suitable clothing includes a long-sleeved top and trousers or a long skirt in close-weave fabrics) Lead tester and GearJunkie contributor Meghan LaHatte is certainly no stranger to the sun hat market. As an avid climber, hiker, dog walker, and gardener, she greatly understands the importance of protecting yourself from harsh UV rays. It's illegal for people under the age of 18 to use sunbeds, including in tanning salons, beauty salons, leisure centres, gyms and hotels. rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular cramps (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, in many cases after sustained exercise during very hot weather), and drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes

Sun safety tips

It's also recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin. Swimming and sunscreen With its front half zip and ventilation side mesh panels, you'll stay protected, cool, dry, and comfortable under this excellent sun hoody Simple and effective coverage, excellent stretchy and durable UPF 50+ fabric, comfy gusseted arms and raglan sleeves The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection. While hats are mostly useful against the direct sun, when it is cloudy there is more indirect and scattered solar UVR. The protection provided by hats may not be as effective in these conditions. How the design of the hat affects protection

Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy. Sunscreens with SPF 15 should provide enough protection, when used properly, wherever you are in the world. Sunscreens with higher SPF don’t provide a lot of extra protection and can lure people into thinking they can stay out in the sun for longer. The most important thing is to remember to apply it generously and regularly, especially if you’re sweating. And even ‘once a day’ sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly.”UVA protection in sunscreen guards against skin ageing by filtering out UVA radiation. In Northern Ireland, UVA protection is measured with a ‘star’ system ranging from zero to five stars. UVB (SPF)

Avoid getting caught out by sunburn. Use shade, clothing and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect yourself. At Men’s Health, our testing editors and writers always make sure to actually test and use the products ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience, and you can read more about our testing process here.Get tips on preventing and treating heat exhaustion in hot weather Who should take extra care in the sun?