An apparatus for detecting an ultraviolet blocking material includes a light receiver configured to acquire detection light from a target object; a spectrum signal generator configured to generate spectrum signals based on the detection light; and a processor configured to: select a reference wavelength from a range from about 290 nm to about 400 nm, and detect an ultraviolet blocking material based on a first spectrum signal of a first wavelength less than the reference wavelength and a second spectrum signal of a second wavelength greater than the reference wavelength, the first spectrum signal and the second spectrum signal being generated by the spectrum signal generator.