SUN PROTECTION, TIPS UNDER THE UMBRELLA(NE)
It's June and it's time to start thinking about the sea, holidays, in short, thinking about summer in its most iconic form possible! So do you feel ready to expose yourself to the sun and enjoy the pleasure of a holiday or a day at the seaside? Did you buy sunscreen ? not yet because you don't know which one?! in this article we help you understand which cream is right for you and how to choose the right one for you and your family!
Let's start from a basic concept, that is, what is a sunscreen which, according to European legislation, includes:
"any preparation (such as cream, oil, gel, spray) intended to be placed in contact with human skin, for the exclusive or main purpose of protecting it from UV rays by absorbing them, dispersing them or by refraction"
Recommendation of 22 September 2006, n.2006/647/EC
Solar radiation is differentiated into UVA and UVB rays which constitute 90% and 10% of the total spectrum respectively. UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn as they stop on the external layer of the epidermis and the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures precisely how much this fraction of the spectrum (UVB) is stopped by sunscreens. UVA rays, on the other hand, penetrate more deeply into the skin, even reaching the dermis, and cause the production of free radicals and are therefore responsible for the famous photoaging effect (poorly translated as aging due to sun exposure )
A good sun cream, always according to the European Community recommendations mentioned above, should protect both from UVB which causes sunburn but also from UVA. So when you buy a cream with sun protection, check that there is the word UVA enclosed in a circle. This indicates that that protection also filters UVA.
How effective a sunscreen is in reducing the absorption of UV rays is measured experimentally both in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo technique that defines the sun protection factor measures the ratio between the minimum dose of radiation that causes erythema (MED) on the skin protected by the product and the minimum dose that causes it on the skin not protected by it. Said like this it's a bit complicated and the simplifications sometimes lead to strange comparisons but this is the law!
Physical filters and chemical filters. A little refresher
You will have heard of sun filters which are those substances that in our sun creams protect us from the UV radiation described above and which are divided into two macrogroups: physical filters (inorganic compounds) and chemical filters (organic compounds).
The most used physical filters are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which act by causing the reflection of solar rays and are active on both UVB and UVA. This type of filters are considered the most sustainable for both the environment and the skin as they reduce the risk of skin irritation.
Chemical filters, on the other hand, are organic substances that have the ability to absorb UV rays and partially transform them into heat, which is why when we put on sunscreen it could increase the feeling of heat on the skin. Some of these filters are considered responsible for the survival of corals and have therefore been banned in some regions of the world where the presence of corals is already fragile.
For this reason, the Hawaii Coral Treaty was signed which provides, among other things, the absence of two chemical filters believed to be responsible for damage to the coral reef: Octinoxate and Oxybenzone .
Which SPF should I choose?
The choice of which is the most correct SPF for us depends on various factors (place, duration, exposure to the sun) including the color of the complexion, eyes and hair, or our phototype.
| Phototype I | milky complexion , red or blond hair, blue/green eyes, freckles; |
| Phototype II | very light complexion, red or blond hair, blue, hazel or green eyes; |
| Phototype III | fairly light complexion, any eye or hair color; |
| Phototype IV | slightly dark complexion; |
| Phototype V | dark complexion, dark eyes, no freckles; |
| Phototype VI | very dark/black complexion, dark eyes, black hair. |
The lower the phototype, the higher the SPF should be!
How much sunscreen should I wear?
Now that we have learned what an SPF is we must remember that this is calculated by applying a standard amount of cream expected to be 2g / cm3. This means that for an average sized person you would need around 36 g of cream for each application! Try weighing it on the scales and you'll be scared!!
There are never enough good recommendations for sun exposure so let's remember them:
- expose yourself at the correct times , avoiding central hours (from 11am to 3pm);
- the first days of the holidays expose yourself gradually;
- hydrate properly and consume snacks based on seasonal fruit and vegetables , rich in antioxidants and water;
- spread good doses of cream by repeating the application several times throughout the day;
- use a good after-sun product at the end of the day to hydrate the skin and soothe any redness.
So are you looking for solar for your holidays? You are in the right place!
We remind you that our sun products are formulated to guarantee the well-being of the skin, promote tanning and to be sustainable while respecting the environment. Follow the links below to start with the right cream for you!