What should I wear over my swimsuit to prevent sunburn?

Gauzy materials for swimsuit cover-ups are almost useless against burning, wrinkling rays. Most cotton and linen fabrics offer little to no sun protection, say researchers who tested 236 fabrics. The best sun-blocking materials they found were also the least practical: wool and polyester!

Swap 'em for tightly woven dark cotton. Even better, a cover-up with SPF protection built into the fabric. Got a favorite cover-up you think might be okay? Hold it up to the light. If you can see through it, the sun's burning rays can get through.

Take the RealAge Test!