The holidays are over and the sunscreen is already at the bottom of the closet? The latter should however be an integral part of your routine, all year round. We explain to you why the SPF could well become your skin's best ally, summer and winter alike!

Joy, happiness, to be able to bask on the terrace when the sun decides to work overtime once the summer holidays are over. Without wanting to throw flowers at it, the sun has many benefits, it allows us to grow food, provides us with large quantities of vitamin D, influences our circadian rhythm and lifts our moods and emotions. But (because there is always a but), unfortunately the sun is also the source of about 80% of the visible signs of skin aging, and the major cause of skin problems considered serious.

So how do you reap the benefits of sunbathing while avoiding the negative effects? This is where we rely on skincare products containing an SPF to ensure the safety and health of your skin.

SPF, UVA, UVB, what do all these terms on the label of your sunscreen really mean? We take stock.

In English “SPF” translates to “Sun Protection Factor”, it is a scientific measure of how long a sunscreen protects you from UV rays before the famous sunburn. The calculation is simple, if you take 10 minutes to get a sunburn without protection, with an index of 30 it will take you 5 hours to get a sunburn (30x10=300/60=5h). But several elements must be taken into account: the quantity of product applied, the power of UV rays, and the sensitivity of the skin.

An SPF 15 filters 93% of the rays, an index 30 97% and an index 50, 98%. The difference is small, which is why it is important to keep in mind that everything depends on the duration of exposure and the amount of product applied.

UV stands for “Ultra Violet”, it is the sun's rays capable of reaching the surface of the earth, and they are classified into two categories: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin (they can even pass through windows) and are responsible for unwanted dark spots, wrinkles and fine lines.
UVB rays, on the other hand, are the ones that can cause burns. they graze the surface of your skin and leave a nasty sunburn (unless you had applied cream!).

Unfortunately both UVA rays and UVB rays cause skin cancer, so it is important to apply sunscreen that protects your skin from these two types of rays.

To prevent UV rays from damaging your skin, sunscreens consist of chemical or mineral filters. Chemical filters penetrate the epidermis and absorb the rays to neutralize them before they act on your skin. They are often compared to sponges. Although they are often more fluid, lighter and more pleasant to apply, these treatments can cause skin reactions and often contain endocrine disruptors and other compounds that are harmful to health and the environment.
The mineral filters remain on the surface of the skin and act like a mirror that reflects UV rays to prevent them from reaching the epidermis. Often made from natural ingredients, creams containing mineral filters are less harmful to the skin and the environment but can be more compact and less easy to apply.

Good news, the Invisible Eco Sun Spray from our friends at Seventy One Percent is so fluid that it leaves no white marks! Mineral filter, SPF 50, natural ingredients and French manufacturing, there is no doubt that it joins our top sun care products.

Good to know: A sunscreen with a chemical filter will take at least 30 minutes to be effective, while a treatment with a mineral filter will offer immediate protection.

Protect yourself from the sun, ok! But do I really need to invest in sun protection in the middle of October-November when the sky is gray?

The answer is yes ! You should wear sunscreen every day of the year, rain, snow or wind. UV rays are independent of the weather and are not blocked by clouds. On an overcast day, only visible rays (but not UVB rays) from the sun are blocked. The best way to protect the skin is to wear sunscreen even when you don't feel exposed.

SPF is not only beneficial for maintaining healthy skin, it also helps the body protect itself from other diseases. When skin is damaged by UV exposure, cells become less effective at detecting and attacking threats to the immune system. The body then becomes less able to fight the disease and its self-healing functions diminish. Regular application of sunscreen helps keep the immune system in top condition.

A fan of anti-aging skincare? Complete your routine with sunscreen, one of the solutions to prevent skin aging. It helps maintain skin texture and reduce the development of pimples, small visible blood vessels, pigmented areas such as freckles and fine lines, but it also reduces UV light induced rashes such as lucite, and protects skin with sensitive issues such as lupus or rosacea. All you have to do now is make it part of your routine!

It's never too early or too late to start protecting your skin. Take advantage of the start of the new school year to start a new routine.

The first thing to do to avoid UV damage? Ban exposures that are too long, especially between 12 p.m. and 16 p.m., and think about getting yourself a nice bucket hat or bucket hat, yes, even in winter!

Regarding care, your sunscreen should always be applied as the last step in your routine. Start with the cleanser, the lotion, the serum adapted to your problem, then your day cream, taking care to choose one with a light texture like the Ho Karan Amazing Cream. It is only once all these steps have been completed that you can apply your sunscreen.

What about makeup? You can completely put on make-up after having rubbed in your sunscreen, however, be sure to reapply protection every two hours over your foundation if you expose yourself.

There are skincare creams and foundations that already contain an SPF, but they should be applied in large quantities and several times a day for the protection to be truly effective. Think of them as a UV bonus rather than a full-fledged protective treatment.

For the body, you can easily replace your usual moisturizer with your sunscreen if you expose your arms, hands or other patches of bare skin.

In the evening, be sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly with the Green Fizz Ho Karan Cleansing Gel, which thanks to the hemp particles will eliminate all traces of care and make-up, for clean and clear skin.

If it is useless to wear an SPF once the sun has set, we recommend its application for the days indoors if you stay near a window or in the car. And yes, UVA rays have the particularity of being able to pass through windows!

Finally, if you start to see spots or irregularities appear on your skin after one or more prolonged exposures, do not hesitate to consult a dermatologist who can guide you towards an appropriate treatment. The antidote, our regenerating and anti-inflammatory CBD oil can soothe certain marks or scars quickly.