Erasmus
Two new projects with the Erasmus University

Time for science! I undertake research projects each year together with medical students from the Erasmus University. Soon I will be carrying out two more very interesting studies. What are we going to be doing in the next few weeks? (more…)

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Hand care

I once read in a study that people wash their hands, on average, 8.6 times a day. Women 10 times a day even. How often will that be now? It is extremely important but it’s not quite as pleasant for the skin on your hands. I’m sure the majority of people realise that by now. So I’ve got a few tips to keep your hands in good condition. (more…)

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Science worldwide
The sun and vitamin D

Why are so many people deficient in vitamin D? Is this a consequence of using sun creams? I’ve gathered the latest studies together for you.

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Are sun creams harmful to coral?

There has been a lot of fuss lately about sun creams. Various shores, such as Hawaii and Bonaire, have announced a ban on the use of sun creams that would damage coral and now everyone wants, of course, to know which creams are coral friendly. I think it is worth talking some more about this. Because I would mind if, all of a sudden, we decide not to apply any sun cream and sunbathe without any protection.

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Help with choosing your sun cream

Which sun creams are good and which ones should you steer clear of? I understand this isn’t always easy for you. Because if there’s one product which professes to do everything, it’s a sun cream. And then all the misleading claims…‘only needs to be applied once a day’, ‘100% protection’, ‘safe tanning’, ‘you only need a small amount’; such statements give me goose bumps.

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Jetske Ultee Sun
My sun cream routine

I think that the nicest thing about Winter, perhaps, is that Spring will be here again. Because that I can thoroughly enjoy! In the last few days that initial Spring sun on your skin has been glorious. It does seem slightly crazy that in a few days we will be leaving for Lapland to enjoy our family holiday in the snow and freezing temperatures. And last month it was even -25°C there! And while I am busy packing all those thermals, an enormous pile of woolly hats, gloves and heavy snow boots, the terraces here are all full. The warm weather has come early this year; never too early for me, personally, however, it is for my website www.smeerjein.nl, which is currently being updated.

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Sunny dilemma
A sunny dilemma

A couple of weeks ago I was on holiday with my family on a paradisiacal piece of earth below the equator. It was warm there, to say the least. As the only options to cool off were either under a palm tree or in the water, we spent a lot of time in the beautiful clear blue sea. However, that is when applying sun protection lapses… I was again reminded when I saw the discussion in the media, this week, about the importance of sun cream.

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After sun
The reason for after sun

A couple of weeks ago I was invited by the programme Radar to speak about after sun products. I had to consider whether to do it or not, as I am not too keen on television presentations. In contrast to interviews for magazines, you have little control over what and how your story is broadcast. Some cutting and pasting can, in no time, make your carefully thought out statements sound very different than you intended. Having said that, I did give my story to Radar in the end. Because sun burn is so common. And the incorrect use of after sun can do your skin a lot of harm. For the purpose of clarity I have put it all down on paper for you.

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Zinc Oxide
How safe are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide?

If you search the internet for information about good, safe sun filters, then dermatologists will always advise zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I have slightly mixed views about this.

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My list of good and bad sun filters

I wrote in a recent blog about how, in combination with the sun, quite a few ingredients in skincare products can cause irritating skin rashes. But did you know that certain sun filters can even cause problems under the influence of sunlight? It is a strange world. Does your skin suddenly become sensitive in the sun? Then you should check the ingredients list on your own (sun cream) products.

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