The history of sunscreen : how Victorian parasols and sun protection clothing became SPF 50

Sunblock is a summer essential, but historical fashion had to rely on sun protection clothing rather than SPF. Break out the parasols, it's SPF history time! Thank you Birch Living for sponsoring! Click here https://birchliving.com/SnappyDragon to get 20% off your Birch mattress (plus two free Eco-Rest pillows!) during their Labor Day Early Access Sale. Offers are subject to change. #birchliving

A Victorian parasol or hat isn't just about cute historical accessories, these were essential parts of the history of sunscreen! For much of fashion history before modern sunblock and SPF was invented, people had to rely on sun protection clothing to protect them from sunburn and skin cancer. Sun safety is just as important today, so let's learn about how people throughout history and across the world have used fashion, accessories, and skincare to protect themselves from sun damage.

Sun protection clothing was the first line of defense in Western fashion, and it's still incredibly useful! Victorian modesty norms involved wearing long sleeves and high collars during the day, even though it was appropriate to wear short sleeves and very low necklines in the evening. A little further back, the long sleeves and collars or partlets of Renassiance fashion can be super useful when at the ren faire! Renaissance fair participants often find wearing long sleeves and higher necklines keeps them cooler, and I would love to hear how it works to prevent sunburn at the renfaire as well. Light-colored linen and cotton don't have a very high UPF, which is like SPF for clothes, so tell me in the comments if you've got Ren Faire sun stories!

Even older and more widespread, the sun umbrella or parasol was invented at least 4000 years ago in ancient Egypt, and has been used all over the world! Silk and oil-paper parasols have been used throughout Chinese history, the sun umbrella features in Indian epics and myths, and is documented in Ancient Greek and Eastern European art. Victorian accessories like hats are another great way to keep the sun off, having been used even more widely. But there are some even weirder sun protection accessories used by the European Renaissance upper classes, who were motivated by colorism to protect their skin as much as possible. These ranged from the "cappa", a sun veil made of black silk with a higher UPF than white linen, to a black velvet mask called a "vizard" which looks uncomfortable to see, wear, or try to go around in.

Beauty culture has created plenty of sun protection cosmetics before the invention of modern SPF, too. Historical sunscreen existed in Namibia, where the Himba people traditionally use "otjize" made from red ochre. It seems like an unusual skin care routine, but a scientific study confirmed that it does protect against skin cancer! Other traditional sun protection cosmetics include thanaka from Myanmar, masonjoany from Madagascar, and borak used by the Sama-Bajau throughout southeast Asia. Western skin care routines didn't even start catching up until zinc oxide, a modern UV filtering ingredient, began appearing in Victorian makeup. But it wouldn't give very good UV protection because of how important formulation is in making sun protection products.

It wasn't until the early 20th century when sun protection became better understood-- and a good thing, too, because this is when a suntan became fashionable! The history of tanning can mostly be blamed on problematic fashion icon Coco Chanel, who got a tan sunbathing on vacation. Tanning became associated with luxury and having an active social life, with the first tanning beds appearing in the 1970s, the same year the SPF system was adopted. Unfortunately, sunscreens made in the US are not often very comfortable : the US FDA has not approved a new UV filtering ingredient in 20 years, while many other countries like Korea and Japan are using newer UV filters to make much more comfortable sunscreen to finish out one's skin care routine.

Historical fashion evolution is full of ideas for us to enjoy the sun safely, because let's be real : skin cancer is bad for you, and sunburns suck. Whether you prefer parasols, sun protection clothing, modern sunblock, or a combination of all, I hope you're having a great and safe time enjoying the summer sun!