Your sunglasses can protect you from cancer. Here's what you need to know before buying your next pair.

Jun 23, 2026

Key takeaways:

Look for sunglasses with a sticker or tag that promise 100% ultraviolet (UV) protection from UVA and UVB light to protect you from cancer.
Polarized sunglasses and tinted lenses, while functional, do not always offer the best protection.
Large lenses and wraparound sunglasses are preferred because they provide additional coverage for your eyes and eyelids.

Whether it’s protecting our eyes from the sun or providing us with a fashionable addition to our outfit, sunglasses have been a staple for generations.

But did you know that all sunglasses aren’t created equal? Here at the Prevent Cancer Foundation, we’ll spare you any fashion advice, but we do want to make sure that your sunglasses (or the next pair you buy) will help protect you from Krebs.

Sunglasses that don’t protect against ultraviolent (UV) radiation can leave you vulnerable to different forms of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Don’t settle for partial protection. Here are the top five things to know before buying.

UV protection is everything

UV radiation from the sun is made up of UVA and UVB rays. While UVB rays are primarily what causes sunburn, UVA rays may also damage your skin’s DNA. According to the Amerikanische Akademie für Dermatologie, overexposure to either type of UV rays can cause skin cancer.

When shopping for sunglasses, look for a sticker or tag that promises 100% UV protection from UVA and UVB light. You can also check the label for language indicating “UV absorption up to 400nm,” which would also provide adequate protection.

It cannot be emphasized enough: This is the first thing you should check for when shopping. Only consider sunglasses that first check this box.

Polarized sunglasses are functional, but won’t necessarily protect you from UV rays

Polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce glare, providing a better experience for driving or outdoor activities like kayaking, beach volleyball or golfing.

Because of this, when you wear polarized sunglasses, it feels like you have extra protection from the sun. However, while glare reduction is certainly a nice feature, polarization does not equal UV protection. These are separate features entirely, so make sure your new polarized frames also include UV protection.

Tinted lenses won’t guarantee protection, either

Darker lenses, colored lenses and metallic lenses all offer something different as far as how much light gets through, and you may be drawn to one of these styles based on your needs. However, none of them will protect you from the sun unless you see that UV protection sticker.

Large lenses and wraparound sunglasses are ideal

Sunglasses with large lenses can not only make a fashion statement, but they also provide additional coverage for your eyes and eyelids. Wraparound sunglasses (glasses that follow the contours of your face) can also provide extra protection, especially to the skin on the sides of your eyes.

For both large lenses and wraparound sunglasses, it boils down to surface area covered. These styles also work to better protect your eyelids because of the increased coverage area.

Designer frames don’t always mean better

Not to throw shade at the big brands, but when it comes to protecting your eyes, designer sunglasses don’t guarantee you better protection than an inexpensive pair from the gas station.

Regardless of the price on the sticker, make sure you check that they offer the necessary UV protection.

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Whether you’re gearing up for a pool day, some work in the garden or your daily commute, experts recommend you wear your sunglasses with full UV protection whenever you’re outside at any time of year, and especially on bright, sunny days.

It’s a great way to reduce your risk of skin cancer. For more information on skin cancer and ways to prevent it, visit preventcancer.org/haut.