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Sola – Sun UV & Vitamin D Timer



Sunlight enhances your mood, relieves stress, improves sleep, and triggers vitamin D production. But too much sun exposure increases your chances of sunburns and skin cancer.

Sola calculates and tracks how much sun exposure you are getting based on current UV index forecast, your skin type, any existing tan, sunscreen SPF, and more.

Sola features a convenient Timer that reminds you when to re-apply sunscreen, when you need to get out of the sun, etc.

It also comes with an Apple Watch extension so that you can manage your UV exposure right on your wrist.

Sola optionally integrates with Apple Health app, specifically to read your Fitzpatrick Skin Type and to keep track of UV index that you were exposed to.

Also included now is Vitamin D tracking.

Lastly, thanks to its monochrome themes, you can actually interact with the app in bright sunlight, especially if you are wearing sunglasses.

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UV radiation varies and UV protection clothing

Risk of UV radiation varies

Sunscreen, long clothing and shady places are important protection, especially in summer. According to the BFS-Germany, UV radiation can neither be seen nor felt. It is there even when the sun is not shining.

According to the data, the intensity and risk of UV radiation depends on many factors – such as the position of the sun, latitude, altitude above sea level, cloud cover and the ozone layer.

UV clothing: Not only useful for children

If you don’t protect yourself adequately from UV radiation, you risk sunburn, sunstroke or – in the worst case – skin cancer. Sun cream with a high sun protection factor is therefore essential.

How clothing with UV protection works

Special UV clothing and UV swimwear is made of tightly woven synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and spandex. “They are lightweight and breathable and block and absorb UV radiation,” explains Daniela Weiskopf, Head of the Optical Radiation Department at the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS-Germany). In simplified terms:

Which UV clothing provides the best protection?

The BfS-Germany differentiates between the Australian-New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4399:1996), the European Standard (EN 13758-1) and the UV Standard 801 for the UV protection properties of UV clothing.

 Only the “UV Standard 801” seal proves that a garment still protects against sunlight even when wet, stretched and washed several times.

For whom UV clothing is particularly worthwhile

Textiles with the UV standard 801 are also recommended by the “International Testing Association for Applied UV Protection”. According to the Bremen consumer advice center, parasols, beach shells and awnings with a UV Standard 801 seal also offer the best protection.

UV protective clothing is particularly intended for people who spend many hours in the sun, for example

– because they work outdoors, for example on a building site,

– or do sport.

“But it is also suitable for people with very sensitive skin: children, but also teenagers and adults with very light skin tones.

UV protective clothing does not cover all parts of the body, which is why the BfS-Germany recommends applying plenty (LSF 30) of sun cream to uncovered parts of the body in good time.

“Four heaped tablespoons for the entire body of an average adult with a high to very high sun protection factor from SPF 30 are ideal,” says Daniela Weiskopf.

Sunglasses that filter UV radiation with wavelengths up to and including 400 nanometers should also be worn.

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Sola got an ASO audit by ASO Ninja

Highly recommend the ASO Ninja team (https://asoninjapro.com). Their ASO audit was delivered quickly, with excellent attention to detail and actionable suggestions throughout. The team clearly understands both keyword strategy and user experience, and the recommendations were thoughtful, well-explained, and professionally presented. Great quality, fast turnaround, and a pleasure to work with.

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Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera for the skin

– The gel from the thick leaves of the aloe vera plant is used for the skin.

– Aloe vera gel moisturizes and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is therefore particularly suitable for acne and eczema.

– The leaf gel can be applied pure to the skin or extracted and mixed with other active ingredients to make an ointment.

The medicinal plant was already known as a household remedy in ancient times and was used by Cleopatra for skin care, as the plant contains numerous vitamins, minerals and essential oils. Due to its high concentration of vitamins A, C and E, aloe vera is often used to protect skin cells.

The B-group vitamins it also contains can increase cell metabolism fivefold. Aloe vera gel has a soothing and restorative effect, especially on sensitive skin.

Aloe vera against sunburn

1. if you have exposed your skin to the sun for a long time, you can use the aloe vera gel both preventively and as a remedy for skin burns.

2. the pure gel, either directly from the plant or from the pharmacy, helps quickly and reliably. It provides immediate cooling and thus relieves pain and itching.

3. it supplies the skin with valuable vitamins and minerals and thus contributes to regeneration.

4. it has an anti-inflammatory effect and thus prevents the burn from becoming too severe.

5. And the leaf gel provides the skin with moisture, which it desperately needs after too much sunbathing.

Aloe vera gel is the ideal home remedy for sunburn.

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Ongoing issue with Apple Weather for some users

It seems there’s an ongoing issue affecting weather forecast retrieval for some users. An increasing number of developers have reported similar problems (cases: 789157,  789900,  789564, 789319, 786126, 788811 . I’ve already reported this to Apple and will share any updates here as they come. In the meantime, I’m working on a workaround. Apologies for the inconvenience to anyone affected.

UPDATE: Apple just reported that the issue should be resolved. Please reach out at support@getsola.com if you continue to see “clear-skies” UV forecast instead of from Apple Weather.

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Health consequences of UV radiation

Sunny spring days entice us outdoors, but even in mild temperatures, UV radiation should not be underestimated.

Why sun cream and co are important now.

 People usually only think about sun protection when it gets really hot. But UV radiation is invisible and does not depend on the air temperature.

Even on cool days, there is a risk of damage to health.

The sun emits high-energy ultraviolet rays of various wavelengths: The UV-C component is completely absorbed by the ozone layer. In contrast, up to ten percent of UV-B radiation reaches the earth’s surface, while the UV-A component passes through the atmosphere almost unhindered.

Direct consequences

– Reddening of the skin up to sunburn, swelling, blistering, itching, pain

– Sun allergy with wheals and blisters

– Inflammation of the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye (e.g. snow blindness)

– Suppression of the immune system

– Formation of vitamin D (the only known positive biological effect of UV radiation)

Late effects

– Eye damage such as cataracts or uveal melanoma (eye tumor)

– Accelerated skin ageing

– skin cancer

The intensity of UV radiation depends on the time of year, time of day and latitude.

It is more intense in the summer months than in winter, and is most dangerous during the day at midday.

In addition, the radiation intensity increases the closer you get to the equator.

Without sun protection, the UV rays penetrate the skin and eyes and can cause damage.

The main cause of reddening of the skin is UV-B radiation, which mainly penetrates the epidermis, whereas UV-A radiation reaches the deeper layers of the skin.

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UV index as a guide

The daily UV exposure and therefore the health risk at a location can be estimated using the UV index (UVI). It is published regularly by the German Weather Service and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. The higher the index, the faster sunburn can occur on unprotected skin

 The scale was developed by the World Health Organization and is internationally standardized. A UVI of 5, for example, means the same in USA as in South Africa.

More and more spring sunshine

In spring, the sun gains strength from day to day, even if the heat is still moderate. Measurement data shows that UV index values that make sun protection necessary can be reached as early as March.

The German Weather Service is also registering more and more hours of sunshine in spring. On average, the sun now shines 87 hours longer across Germany than in the period from 1961 to 1990, which further increases the UV risk.

According to the President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Inge Paulini, not everyone knows that you have to be careful even on sunny spring days. But “the awareness of many people that UV protection is important is growing”.

Water, sand and snow reduce radiation by reflecting it.

Shade, on the other hand, reduces UV exposure: under a parasol, for example, by around 10 to 30 percent, under a large tree with a dense canopy by around 20 percent.

The lighter the skin, the less it can protect itself against sunlight and the more sensitive it reacts. Skin that contains a lot of melanin and is therefore darker is better protected, but skin damage cannot be ruled out here either.

Children and adolescents need special protection as they are much more sensitive to UV rays than adults. Experts recommend that infants and small children under the age of two should not be exposed to the sun at all with uncovered skin.

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Sunny spring days

Sunny spring days invite us outside, but even in cooler weather, UV radiation can be strong. That’s why it’s important to know your safe suntime limits, so you can enjoy the sun without risking skin damage.

Many people associate sun protection with hot weather, but UV radiation is invisible and unrelated to air temperature. Even on cool or cloudy days, ultraviolet rays can harm your skin and overall health. The sun emits high-energy UV radiation in three forms: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. While UV-C is entirely absorbed by the ozone layer, up to 10% of UV-B and nearly all of UV-A radiation reach the Earth’s surface, making daily protection and awareness essential year-round.

The primary cause of skin redness and sunburn is UV-B radiation, which mainly affects the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). In contrast, UV-A radiation penetrates deeper into the dermis, where it can cause longer-term damage.

Health Effects of UV Radiation Overexposure

Immediate Effects

  • Skin redness, sunburn, swelling, blistering, itching, and pain
  • Sun-induced skin reactions such as polymorphous light eruption (commonly referred to as sun allergy), with wheals and blisters
  • Inflammation of the eyes, including photokeratitis or conjunctivitis (e.g., snow blindness)
  • Temporary suppression of the immune system

Long-Term Effects

  • Eye damage, including cataracts and uveal melanoma (a rare eye cancer)
  • Premature skin aging due to UV-induced collagen breakdown
  • Increased risk of various types of skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers

Tip: Use the Sola app to identify your optimal sun exposure times, tailored to your location and weather conditions.

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The advantages of the Sola app in conjunction with the Apple Watch

The Sola UV Tracker app in conjunction with the Apple Watch offers several benefits, especially for people who want to monitor their skin health.
Here are some of the main benefits:

  • Monitor UV exposure in real time: the app measures UV radiation and gives you a real-time assessment of your exposure. This is particularly useful for protecting yourself from sunburn and long-term skin damage.
  • Personalized recommendations: based on your skin type, present tan, sunscreen SPF (if any), and current UV exposure, the app provides customized recommendations on how long you can safely stay in the sun without increasing the risk of skin damage.
  • Integration with other health features: by connecting with the Apple Watch, you can seamlessly integrate UV and Vitamin D data with Apple’s Health app. So you have all your health information in one place.
  • Reminders and alerts: when the Timer is active, you will get timely notifications for when you should re-apply sunscreen (if you choose to wear any), and when it is time to seek shade and get out of the sun.
  • Historical data: you can track your UV exposure over days, weeks or months to identify trends and adjust your behavior.

Overall, the combination of Sola UV Tracker and the Apple Watch offers a practical, user-friendly way to better protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

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Crash issue for some users

UPDATE: Apr 1, 2025. A fix has been released. Thank you for your patience!

There appears to be an issue with iOS 18.3.2 causing crashes for some users. Actively working on a fix. Will update here when it is repaired. Sorry for the inconvenience.

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Tips for nutrition and UV light in winter

With a vitamin D deficiency, which often occurs in the winter months, the body is undersupplied with vitamin D. Vitamin D is particularly important for healthy bones: if the body lacks vitamin D, the bones can lose stability.

The human body produces vitamin D when the skin comes into contact with sunlight.
To prevent a vitamin D deficiency, you should expose your face, hands and arms to the sun several times a week from spring to fall.

Use the Sola app to track your vitamin D intake. This will ensure that your body is optimally supplied with vitamin D.

A small amount of vitamin D is also taken in with food: It is found in oily fish, offal, eggs and mushrooms. Therefore, make sure you eat a balanced diet, especially in the winter months.