Most of us are pretty good about putting sunscreen on our faces and necks before we head outside. But if you’re like I used to be, you might not give much thought to your hands. The truth is, they’re one of the first areas to show sun damage—age spots, thinning skin, and those little freckles that pop up over the years. And, of course, unprotected hands are just as vulnerable to skin cancer as the rest of your body.
My sister, who’s a physician, has urged me to take sun protection seriously for decades, and as I've gotten older I have become a bit obsessive about wearing high SPF sunscreen and UV protective clothing. Our dad developed skin cancer after his time in the Navy, and that was a turning point for both of us. We learned firsthand that protecting your skin isn’t just about looks—it’s about health. She was actually the one who convinced me to start wearing UPF 50+ gloves, not just outside, but even in the car. I don’t drive myself, but UV rays easily penetrate car windows, and the exposure really adds up over time.
My sister's recommendation is how I discovered the Coolibar UPF 50+ UV Gloves. Coolibar was the first sun-protective clothing company to receive the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, and it’s a brand I’ve come to trust.
Coolibar UPF 50+ UV Gloves Review: My Go-To Sun Protection for Hands
Even though I have been diligent about applying sunscreen to my face, neck and chest for many years, I have been less diligent about protecting the skin on the rest of my body. Sunscreen lasts only so long, and it is more difficult to reapply it to the body than to the face when you're on the go. About five or six years ago I really started noticing some of the sun damage incurred during my twenties and thirties, when I was not diligent about sun protection or sunscreen use. I have succeeded in reversing a lot of the sun damage on my face, neck and chest with diligent use of well designed, high-quality AM and PM skincare routines, but again, I haven't been as careful with the skin on my arms and legs.
Fortunately, using Coolibar UPF 50+ UV Gloves to protect the skin on my hands has really helped, especially when I'm in the car, running errands, or at an outdoor event for longer than two hours. Although my hands obviously show signs of age, they're fairly youthful for 71-year-old hands, with minimal wrinkles and only a few, small age spots, thanks in part to the Coolibar Unisex UV Gloves with UPF 50+ UV protection.
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Why I Love These Sun Protection Gloves
The first pair of these gloves that I purchased two years ago were the Coolibar UPF 50+ Unisex Gannet UV Gloves (sun protection isn't just for women!) in the color Beige. I wear a woman's size 7 glove and the size Small fit me perfectly. The Gannet style comes just over the wrist.
The first thing I noticed was how soft and feather-light they felt. They’re made from Coolibar’s UCmax™ fabric, a blend of 87% polyester and 13% spandex with breathable micro-mesh and four-way stretch. They fit snugly but not tight, and they don’t make my hands sweaty. In fact, the Cooltect® technology wicks away moisture and keeps my hands feeling cool, even on hot days.
And the best part is that they block 98% of UVA and UVB rays, giving UPF 50+ protection without having to slather on sunscreen that washes off or needs reapplying every hour or two. Honestly, I almost forget that I’m wearing them because they’re so comfortable.
Touchscreen-Friendly (So I Don't Need to Remove Them to Use My Phone)
One feature I use constantly is the touchscreen-compatible thumb and pointer fingertips. I can grab my phone, scroll, or send a quick text without peeling the gloves off and exposing my skin. It’s such a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in how practical they are for daily use.
Perfect for the Car, Walks, Everyday Errands and Outdoor Events
I keep my UV gloves in my purse so I can easily slip them on whenever I go out. I love that they come with a zippered pouch to keep them clean and neat when not in use.
Since I don’t drive, I’m usually in the passenger seat and I like knowing my hands are protected from UV rays coming through the side windows. I wear these gloves while I'm walking, shopping, or sitting outside with a book. They’re just an easy habit now, like sunglasses or sunscreen on my face.
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Need More Coverage? Try the Longer Version
When I looked at the sun damage on my arms recently, I decided to buy a pair of the Coolibar UPF 50+ Unisex Culebra UV Long Gloves as well. They use the same UCmax™ fabric and the same touchscreen-compatible thumb and pointer fingertips as the wrist-length Gannet style, but they extend well past your elbow. I reach for these when I’m wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops or spending more time outdoors. It’s that extra layer of peace of mind against sun damage, especially at the beach.
A Great Gift for Gardeners and Outdoor Enthusiasts
Men or women who work outdoors or enjoy gardening, driving, spending time at the beach, walking for exercise or pleasure, and anyone else who spends time exposed to the sun (directly or indirectly) for extended periods of time could benefit from either style of these Coolibar UPF 50+ UV gloves. I think they would make a great gift, especially since they come nicely packaged in a matching zippered storage pouch.
Final Thoughts
Sun protection is a big deal for me, and not just because I want the skin on my hands and arms to look good as I get older. After seeing what skin cancer did to my dad, I take sun protection very seriously. The Coolibar Gannet UV Gloves make it effortless. They’re light, comfortable, easy to wash, and practical enough to wear every day. Plus, they save me from constantly reapplying sunscreen to my hands.
If you want even more coverage, the Culebra UV Long Gloves are just as good with added length for your forearms and part of your upper arms.
Both styles give you top-notch protection from a brand that’s trusted by dermatologists and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. For me, they’ve become a non-negotiable part of my daily routine, and the skin on my hands and arms is showing visible improvement. At the time of this post's publication, both styles were available on Amazon for $39. That's a small price to pay for protection against skin cancer and other types of unsightly damage from the sun's harmful UV rays.
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