BEIJING - As summer temperatures rise across China, many people are turning to face coverings and other full-body sun protection to shield themselves from intense ultraviolet rays and avoid tanning.
In Beijing, women were seen on Friday wearing lightweight face coverings that left only their eyes exposed, while others carried umbrellas, wore wide-brimmed hats and dressed in UV-protective clothing as temperatures remained high during the country's ongoing heatwave.
Many residents said sun protection has become an essential part of their daily skincare routines.
"Because I usually pay attention to skin tone and beauty, I apply sunscreen before making up, and I also apply it to my hands and feet so they don't get sunburned. I protect myself from the sun because I want to look beautiful," Liang Chao, a lawyer, told Rudaw.
"In addition, too much UV exposure will cause black spots," she added. "At the same time, sunscreen helps prevent skin aging, so I strengthened my sunscreen use."
Others said their focus on sun protection predates the current heatwave.
"I have read many scientific reports on skin protection a long time ago, and the most important ones are sun protection and moisturizing," Xiao Lin, a lawyer at a stock company, told Rudaw.
"Therefore, I have been paying attention to sun protection for a long time," Xiao said. "Sun protection is mainly for the face... sun protection for the face is more effective than skincare products. The material should be breathable and not too stuffy."
Some consumers said they prefer clothing and other physical barriers instead of sunscreen lotions.
"I wear a sunscreen dress because I don't like liquid and gas sunscreen," said Liu Dan, who works for a decoration company.
"If ultraviolet rays are particularly strong, they can cause damage to the outer layer of our body. In severe cases, they can make us older or cause sunspots," Liu said. "Therefore, I will take physical sunscreen measures."
Liu also said many Chinese people have traditionally associated lighter skin with beauty.
"Chinese people may like white because people from different places have different preferences. Perhaps we Chinese have loved this color for generations," she said.
Demand for wearable sun protection has increased steadily in China in recent years, with lightweight UV-resistant face masks, often referred to as "facekinis," becoming increasingly common alongside umbrellas, oversized hats and protective clothing.
The trend has accelerated during the current heatwave, which has shattered temperature records across large parts of the country. Temperatures in northern and central China have repeatedly climbed above 39 degrees Celsius to 41 degrees Celsius (102-106 degrees Fahrenheit), while parts of the northwest have reached as high as 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit). The Turpan Basin recorded a scorching 46.2 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit).
The prolonged heat has prompted millions of people to carry portable fans and adopt extensive sun protection measures to reduce exposure to extreme heat and ultraviolet radiation.
