We like to joke that we only have two seasons in Singapore - it's either super hot and sunny or hot and rainy. Either way, it’s handy to have an ultraviolet umbrella (UV) umbrella to protect you from the elements.

Apart from keeping you cool and shaded during the daytime, a UV umbrella blocks out damaging UV rays, protects your skin from premature ageing and reduces the risk of skin cancer. And when it rains, it can keep you dry, whether you’re caught in a drizzle or torrential downpour.

If you're shopping for a good umbrella that you can easily slip into your bag and bring around, check out these cute and compact UV umbrellas.

UV umbrellas are purpose-built accessories that block ultraviolet radiation by acting as a radiation barrier.

When the sun is out, they protect you from harmful UV rays and when it’s raining, they keep you dry while still shielding you from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

Yes, you read that right: Even when the sky is grey, UVA and UVB rays are still present. That’s why skin doctors and experts recommend wearing sunscreen in overcast weather as UV radiation does pass through clouds and rain.

A UV umbrella protects you from the sun’s rays much better than a regular umbrella. So yes, it does work.

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