What to Look for in a Sun Cream

Everyone wants to grow old beautifully. Sun cream can help you enormously this quest.

Patches on the skin

Checking for irritating substances on an ingredients list is easier said than done, but definitely worthwhile. Commonly used ingredients such as perfume and fragrances when combined with sun light in particular, can cause annoying patches, and furthermore accelerate the ageing process. Ingredients which have this effect on the skin are also known as phototoxic. So avoid these!

Sun cream for face and body

In general, there is not much difference between a sun cream for the face and for the body. You do, however, often see more alcohol denat in sun creams in spray form for the body. This ingredient increases the lubricity but also has a dehydrating effect. Another drawback of a spray is that you still don’t apply it often enough and so are less well protected. Extra nourishing ingredients, such as caffeine and Vitamin E are beneficial when added to a sun cream for the face. These ingredients appear to be able to limit sun damage. The Suncare SPF15 and SPF30 by Dr. Jetske Ultee contain these ingredients. In terms of cost, such active ingredients in a body product are not feasible. Do you want to know which sun cream is most suitable for your skin? Then you can do our online skin analysis.

Which sun filters?

Obviously the most important part of a sun protection product is the sun filter used. Of these there are many, which can be divided into either chemical or physical filters. Chemical filters draw into the skin and absorb the UV rays here. Physical filters cover the skin and reflect, as it were, the light. There are good chemical and physical filters such as:

• Tinosorb S & M
• Titanium dioxide
• Zinc oxide
• Uvinul-A-Plus
• Ensulizole
• Uvinul T150

These should be avoided
There are, however, also sun filter which you would rather not have in your sun cream. Studies have shown that certain sun filters, after application on the skin, have been detected in the urine. This could mean that the filter is easily absorbed by the body. It includes, among others:

• Oxybenzone
• Eusolex 6300
• Para Amino Benzoic Acid

How to apply

To prevent the damaging effect of the sun and skin ageing, it is worthwhile using an SPF daily; also in winter or on cloudy days.
Use a minimum of SPF15, such as the Suncare SPF15 or SPF30 or Suncover SPF30.
On sunny days apply every two hours, and if you have been sweating a lot or swimming apply extra.
Apply enough; at least half a teaspoon of cream for your face.
At the hottest time of the day stay out of the sun (between 11:00 – 15:00), wear a hat, cap and/or sunglasses.
Try to avoid using a spray.

Finally

Don’t forget to enjoy yourself. A little bit of sun is necessary for such things as the production of Vitamin D in the skin. And the sun makes our mood good. Also important!

Also read:
Is Our Sun Cream, Waterproof?