If you have fair skin that burns easily, Shade estimates how long you can stay in the sun before your skin is likely to start burning, using the live UV index and your Fitzpatrick skin type. For skin types I and II that estimate can be short, and seeing it as a number helps you plan.
Why fair skin needs its own estimate
Skin types I and II have the lowest typical burning doses. On a high-UV summer day, fair skin can reach that dose quickly, much faster than the generic advice you might be used to. Shade starts from the dose for your skin type, divides it by today’s UV and keeps a margin below it.
What Shade gives you
- Your burn time: one number for right now, on the Today screen and in widgets. See burn time.
- The UV curve: when UV rises above 3 and when it peaks, so you can plan outdoor time.
- A heads-up: during a session, a warning before your estimated burn time.
- Morning UV alerts (Plus): a notification on days when UV is forecast to reach 3 or more.
Sunscreen, counted honestly
Shade counts sunscreen well below the SPF on the bottle, because most people apply far less than the tested amount. For fair skin that matters: an SPF 50 won’t stretch a short estimate into a whole afternoon. When you choose sunscreen, Shade reminds you to reapply every two hours, as the WHO recommends.
Low UV still counts
Fair skin can burn at moderate UV, especially over a long day outdoors, near water or at altitude. Shade’s estimate already adjusts to lower UV, so you see a longer number, not a free pass.
About the numbers
UV data comes from Apple Weather. Estimates follow WHO UV Index guidance and standard Fitzpatrick values. Medication and some skin conditions can make skin more sensitive to sun; if that applies to you, ask a dermatologist.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can fair skin burn?
It depends on the UV index. Skin type I has the lowest typical burning dose of any skin type, so at high UV the estimate can be short. Shade shows your own estimate for today’s UV instead of a general rule.
Which skin type should I pick if I’m very fair?
If you always burn and rarely or never tan, that’s type I. If you burn easily and tan slowly, type II. If you’re between the two, picking type I gives a shorter, more cautious estimate.
Do I need sunscreen on cloudy days?
Thin cloud lets a lot of UV through. Check the UV index rather than the sky. WHO guidance suggests sun protection whenever UV is 3 or above.