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UV INDEX INFO AND CALCULATOR

Everything you need to know about the UV Index, UV index today, and the UV index scale

UV INDEX CALCULATOR: CALCULATE YOUR UV INDEX OF YOUR REGION

Knowing your region’s UV index is crucial so you can take the proper precautions to protect yourself when you’re outdoors. So, what is UV Index? What does UV Index mean? And what is the UV Index today? Here’s all you need to know about the UV Index scale so you can stay safe.
SEARCH LOCAL UV INDEX

UV TRACKER

woman using a Nivea UV cream

The UV Index is issued daily to advise you on the strength of the sun's UV rays in your region. The UV Index scale is divided into 5 levels and ranges from low (1-2) to extremely high (11+).

 

For each level, we recommend you use SPF that tailors to your skin’s needs. Remember, the higher the UV Index scale number, the stronger the rays. That’s the UV Index meaning. And the UV Index classification applies to all skin types and for every place in the world.

 

Check your region's UV index below and take the proper precautions to protect yourself when you're outdoors. 

 

WHAT IS TODAY'S UV INDEX?

What is the UV index? Enter the name of your town and we'll tell you today's UV index. 

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It’s a low uv index for [city]

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's an average uv index for [city]

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's a high uv index for [city]

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's a very high uv index for [city]

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's a very high uv index for [city]
CALCULEZ L'INDICE UV

What is UV index?

The UV Index measures the strength of the sun’s damaging rays. 

It’s often used in daily forecasts – you may hear your favourite weatherman reference the UV Index from time to time – and it’s used to help the general public understand how powerful the sun’s rays will be on a specific day. It’s usually given for ‘solar noon’, which refers to the time when the sun is at its highest point.

 

WHAT DOES THE UV INDEX MEAN?

The UV Index is measured on a scale. The numbers correlate to the strength of the sun, increasing as the skin-damaging rays increase.

 

Below, we dive into the entire scale, detailing appropriate skin protection for each situation.

 

Remember, it’s best to wear sun cream every day, regardless of the UV Index. It’ll help you maintain a youthful complexion for longer. 

woman in black swim suit
THE UV INDEX SCALE

READING YOUR LOCAL UV INDEX

 UV INDEX: 0 - 2 What does UV index mean at this level? With a low UV Index from 0 to 2, there is hardly any risk of sunburn. But you should always use products with SPF to protect your skin. Not sure how to choose a sunscreen? Well, the sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least twice as high as the stated UV index. But this is just a general recommendation. You should always use products suitable for your skin type.
 UV INDEX: 3 - 5  What does UV index mean at this level? With a medium UV Index of 3 to 5, we recommend wearing protective clothing such as a T-shirt or blouse. Sunglasses and sun hats can also protect you from UV radiation. 
Additionally, you should protect your skin by applying sunscreen appropriate to your individual skin type. 
A sun protection factor should be chosen that is at least twice as 
high as the stated UV Index. 
 
 UV INDEX: 6 - 7 With a high UV Index of 6 to 7, it’s important to physically cover your upper body. Sunglasses and hats will also protect you from the rays. We’d also recommend a lip balm with SPF – like our Sun Protect Caring Lip Balm. 

This UV rating is climbing the UV Index scale, so we’d recommend adding a sunscreen suitable to your skin type too. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least twice as high as the stated UV index. So, for a ranking g of 6 – 7, you need a factor of at least SPF 14 – but it’s also important to consider your individual skin type. So if you’re very fair-skinned, a higher SPF is a good idea. Check out our Protect & Moisture range for some great options. And make sure you don’t spend all day in direct sunlight – especially at around noon when the sun is at its highest. That’s the perfect time to hang out in the shade. 
 
 UV INDEX: 8 - 10 What does UV index mean when it’s in the 8-10 range? Well, this is considered a very high rating on the UV Index scale. It’s recommended that you stay in the shade or indoors between the hours of 11am and 3pm as the sun is at its strongest. Remember, even when staying in the shade, you should protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved and sun-proof clothing. Make sure to also cover up your legs, put on sunglasses with UV protection and wear a hat that also protects your delicate neck area. When it comes to sunscreen, make sure to use a type-appropriate sun protection with a very high sun protection factor.
 UV INDEX: 11 AND HIGHER When you ask ‘what is the uv index today?’ and find that it’s 11+,  you should avoid the sun during the lunch hours and stay indoors. When staying outside, make sure to stay in the shade as often as possible. This is the highest rating on the UV Index scale, so you should consider long trousers and long-sleeved, sun-proof clothing, sunglasses with proper UV protection and a headgear with neck protection. And even when staying in the shade, it is essential to use a sunscreen with a very high sun protection factor that is suitable for your skin type. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UV RADIATION

What is UV light?

Along with questions like ‘what does UV index mean’, people also ask what is UV light? The effects of UV light are invisible and unnoticeable at first. While small amounts of UV light help us produce Vitamin D, overexposure to the sun can be very damaging. 

Ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB are frequently mentioned on sunscreen bottles and can be harmful for our skin. 

Read on to find out why. 

UVB rays do not only stimulate the production of melanin in the skin, creating a suntan, but are also responsible for sunburns. On the other hand, UVA rays play a minor role in sunburn. They can both trigger sun allergies and lead to premature skin aging. At NIVEA SUN, we use a combination of different UV filters to ensure reliable high protection across the entire UV range. Our NIVEA SUN products contain both UVA and UVB filters for optimal protection. NIVEA SUN uses mineral UV filters like titanium dioxide in its sun protection products. 

Mineral UV filters reflect the sun's UV rays away from the skin like little mirrors. 

In addition, there are organic UV filters with protection mechanisms based on absorbing UV radiation. In this case, the harmful UV radiation is converted into harmless heat. 

To achieve high protection from both UVA and UVB, different UV filters are combined. NIVEA Protect & Moisture is specially designed to tackle all your needs. 
 
Discover NIVEA Sun Lotions
Nivea Protect and Moisture Body Lotion SPF 30

A NOTE ON THE DAILY UV INDEX

The UV Index rating will change day to day. It’s important to check so you can dress appropriately. And remember, sun cream is a must-have if you want to protect your delicate facial skin from sun damage and the effects of UV rays.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF UV RAYS

Why you always need uv protection

woman standing in the sun

SUNBURN

The sun's rays are generally good for the body. They promote the production of the happiness hormone - serotonin, so the sun makes us happy. But UV rays can also have negative effects on our skin. UVB rays penetrate the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis, and are also responsible for painful sunburn. That’s why it’s always good to ask ‘what is UV index meaning?’ and ‘what is the UX index today?’.
Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture SPF 50

SKIN DAMAGE

The sun's rays give us a beautiful glow and stimulate the skin's vitamin D production, which is particularly important for bone stability and our health in general. But you should always be cautious of the risks of UV rays. Because of their high energy levels, UVB rays can directly damage the DNA, which, in the worst case, can lead to skin cancer.
Nivea Sun Protect and Bronse SPF 30

THE SKIN'S AGING PROCESS

UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply - all the way into the dermis. Although we are usually not aware of them because they aren't painful, they form free radicals which are able to damage cells and DNA. This can lead to allergies and skin aging: about 80% of wrinkles are caused by UVA light. So it’s extremely important to ask ‘what is the UV index today’ and ‘what is the UV index meaning?’ so you can make sure to carry sun lotion with you and dress appropriately to protect your skin further. 

Discover Nivea sun protection

Our Protect and Moisture range has you covered – with UVA and UVB protection that immediately protects you against sunburn and premature skin aging.
woman smiling in the sun

DISCOVER MORE SUN PROTECTION TIPS FROM NIVEA SUN

We’ve answered a lot of common queries, including the UV index meaning, and the importance of knowing what is the UV index today. Calculating your region's UV Index is a great start to learn about sun protection. However, the UV Index's recommendations only serve as a general guideline.

 

The intensity of UV radiation differs over the day, the year and depending on your region. Furthermore, snow, water and sand increase the radiation exposure. Accordingly, the actual value may be higher than the predicted UV Index, so adequate UV protection is advisable for appropriate activities.

 

There are many different factors that come into play when it comes to reliable sun protection: your skin type, how to apply sunscreen correctly, finding the right SPF for you, etc. If you have specific questions on your individual sun protection needs, we always recommend that you consult your dermatologist. And if you need a particular product, you can check our NIVEA site here. 

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