Whether you’re a fan of intense, focused sun exposure or just love being outdoors or working in your garden, always remember to use sunscreen with SPF. What does this acronym actually stand for? 

• SPF means sun protection factor and indicates the amount of time for which you can be safely exposed to the sun.

Using an SPF cream protects your skin not only against painful sunburn, but also against premature ageing and major health complications. Sunlight with free radicals increases the risk of skin cancer and also causes pigment spots and a loss of skin elasticity. As a result of excessive sun exposure, the skin loses elasticity and becomes saggy and wrinkled. That’s also why we recommend using a face cream or foundation with SPF, or a facial sun cream with SPF 50+ all year round. Even in winter, the sun has an effect on the skin.

Dermo-cosmetic sun creams

Whatever your problem – sun allergies, eczema, acne-prone skin or simply not trusting sunscreens – dermo-cosmetic creams with SPF could be the ideal choice for you. They are developed in collaboration with dermatologists specifically for sensitive skin, so they contain no irritating ingredients. They offer maximum effectiveness and safety in a pharmaceutical environment, making them great for all skin types, even children’s skin.

The SPF indicates the level of UVB transmittance, but it also determines the amount of time you can be safely exposed to the sun.

 

• Example: If you can spend 10 minutes in the sun without getting burnt, a sunscreen with SPF 15 will multiply that time by 15, i.e. for 150 minutes. That’s how long you should be protected for after using a cream with SPF 15. But even this value is only indicative. In reality (depending on the season, the weather or even your geographical location), your skin may actually be protected for a far shorter time.

On the packaging, some manufacturers also state the UVA transmittance level (called PPD) and indicate its value. But more often than not, creams only carry the “UVA” symbol in a circle on the packaging. This means that they provide balanced protection against both types of UV radiation – most often in a ratio of 1:3. Here too, however, a high level of SPF/PPD means low UVA transmittance.

Both types of filters protect the skin from sunburn, although their composition and mechanisms differ. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice depends on your preferences and your skin’s needs. So what are the differences and how do you decide when making a choice?

 

Chemical filters – absorb UV radiation and convert it into other forms of energy such as heat.

 

• They are lighter and less visible on the skin, so they do not leave a white film.

• They are easier to apply and rub in  – you can layer them with other cosmetic products, such as foundation.

Mineral filters – act as a barrier on the surface of the skin, therefore reflecting and scattering UV rays.

 

• Mineral filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are gentle on the skin and suitable for sensitive skin – they do not cause irritation or allergic reactions.
• After application, skin protection is immediate.
• They are considered safer because they are less likely to be absorbed into the skin and have no impact on the environment and marine ecosystems.

• They can leave a white or greasy film on the skin and are harder to rub in. They are thicker and applying or potentially layering them with other cosmetic products can be more of a challenge.
• They cannot be processed and tested as effectively as in the laboratory. The results can be unreliable and very low protection in an unstable mixture is possible. For example, they may offer less protection against UVA rays, so their protection against photo-ageing and pigmentation may be limited.