Sunglasses are more than just a summer fashion accessory: they are an effective and highly recommended way to filter the sun's rays.

Therefore, when choosing sunglasses, it’s important to take into account the protection factor, but also the type of lens, the treatment applied, the shape and the price.

Having said that, are all sunglasses the same? Clearly, the answer is no. Let's look in detail at 4 important points to consider when making your decision.

1. The Appropriate Protection Factor for Sunglasses

The main purpose of sunglasses is to protect our eyes from the sun's UV rays. 

The first thing to consider is the sunglasses' protection factor. Note that the different levels of protection are adapted to different types of activities, corresponding to different light intensities. 

The colour of the lens (or rather the intensity of the tint, from light to dark) is therefore defined according to this factor, as well as the level of protection and effectiveness against UV rays.

CE or FDA Standard

Most importantly, it is crucial to check that the lenses are certified as protective according to European or American standards. This can be ascertained by the "CE" and "FDA" markings. These labels are given following external assessments of the company and determine that a product complies with the "essential health and safety requirements" of the relevant regulations.

Sunglasses that comply are marked "CE" or "FDA" with a number between 0 and 4 following them: this is the factor, the degree of protection.

5 Factor Categories

Category 0 is mainly for aesthetic purposes, these are cosmetic sunglasses that do not protect the eyes at all and do not reduce the brightness.

For categories 1 and 2, these are sunglasses suitable for mid-season, with very clear or lightly tinted lenses: they are effective in the city or in the countryside.

Category 3 is ideal for the beach or skiing and especially in summer because of the high protection provided by the strong tint of the lenses.

Finally, the last category, factor 4, is dedicated to cases of extreme sunlight: cruising, mountaineering, etc. Caution: these very dark lenses are not recommended for driving.

In summary, a higher factor indicates a darker lens and less glare.

2. The Correct Lenses 

Types of Lenses

Not all lenses for sunglasses are the same, even with the same protection factor. Mineral, organic or polycarbonate lenses: which should you choose?

Highly resistant to scratches, less expensive than other types of lenses, low colour diffusion, thinness... there are many advantages to mineral or natural lenses. 

However, they are gradually being used less and less in favour of organic, plastic lenses, which are lighter, stronger and very comfortable to wear. On the other hand, they are less resistant to scratches and require more maintenance. 

Finally, polycarbonate lenses are simply a variation of the organic lens family, but more solid, stronger and lighter.

Various Treatments

Several lens coatings add properties to the lenses, in addition to the initial factor:

• Polarized lenses protects the eyes from the sun's glare and its consequences thanks to a polarising filter that blocks unwanted light while letting the necessary light through.

• Anti-scratch treatment reduces wear and tear on the lens, reducing the risk of scratching by reinforcing it and making it more durable.

• Hydrophobic treatment: water slides off.

• The anti-static or anti-fingerprint treatment prevents the lens from retaining dust, dirt and fingerprints of any kind.

• Anti-fog treatment solves the problem of condensation.

3. The Correct Shape of Glasses According to your Anatomy

If a wrap-around shape or even one that is closed at the sides is more effective in protecting from the sun's rays, it is not the most aesthetically pleasing shape (but it is still recommended for mountain or open sea activities).

Proper sunglasses are also about facial harmony. In fact, the shape of the glasses should ideally be reversed in relation to the shape of the face. This rule is recommended for the desired harmony. 

Is your face square shaped? Then, it is best to choose round or oval shapes for your sunglasses frames. If, on the other hand, you have a rather round face, a discreet pair of rectangular glasses will be suitable for your morphology.

4. Choosing According to your Budget 

From a few dozen euros to several hundred euros, there are sunglasses for every taste, every need... and every budget.

The question is: what's your budget? We could imagine that the higher the price, the more protective the sunglasses are, the more stylish the design and the more solid they are.

But that's not always the case: sometimes there's a good deal, without having to spend a fortune on the perfect sunglasses for you. Nooz offers sunglasses that are CE certified, with a level 3 protection factor, polarised lenses, anti-scratch, light, strong... in other words, everything you need for your sunglasses. All this from 49,90€.