Summer is upon us, which means beach trips, pool days, and sunbathing. But don’t get too excited—as you probably know, all that time outside could increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging. What’s the solution? You could always slather your skin with every gallon of sunscreen you can find, but that’s so old school. One company, The90, claims to have a more futuristic option.
The90 Gem, launched earlier this month, is a pendant necklace that monitors your sun exposure in real time. Specifically, it measures UV exposure across the UVA and UVB spectrums. Longer-wavelength UVA rays can penetrate glass and reach deeper layers of the skin, contributing to premature aging and cancer risk; shorter-wavelength UVB rays are the main culprit behind sunburns and are also linked to skin cancer.
According to its manufacturer, The90 Gem cobbles together its insights by combining data from the pendant’s sensor with user input. In The90’s app, you can create a “skin profile” and enter details about your sunscreen use, as well as whether you wear UV-resistant clothing and sun hats. The device, for its part, tracks your sun exposure. The app leverages all that data to produce time-to-burn estimates, monitor cumulative exposure, and provide personalized advice on when to reapply sunscreen or just get the heck inside.
In addition to being a health tracker, The90 Gem is also trying to be a fashion piece. The sensor looks like a simple black charm with a silver or gold finish. It comes with a chain but also features a standard pendant loop, so you can attach it to your own necklace if you prefer.
The90 Gem is now available for $299. Members of lifestyle brand The Skinny Confidential—whose founder, Lauryn Bosstick, is an investor in The90—can get it for $199. That’s a step up in price from competitors like the $89 Sun-a-wear UV tracker, but devices at that price point tend to look like clunky UV sensors you need to clip to a hat or a jacket, rather than a nice piece of jewelry. Features like the app’s “skin profile” are also hard to find on the current market—especially without a monthly subscription attached. For outdoor enthusiasts who have been waiting on the edge of their seats for a nice-looking sun tracker, The90’s product may be worth a look.
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