According to a survey conducted in March 2021 by the FEBEA (Federation of Beauty Companies), while 79% of us use sun protection when we expose ourselves, 20% of us are content with a single daily application and 19 % do without it completely. Nevertheless, the filters currently used are neither harmful to health nor toxic to marine environments and they have proven their effectiveness against sunburn, premature skin aging and the risk of melanoma. Still have doubts ? Here are all the answers to tanning in safety and peace this summer.
1. Sunscreens make your face shine
This is the fear of combination skin, which often equates the application of sunscreen with the unpleasant sensation of sticky skin. As a result, they give up applying daily protection, which is nevertheless essential. Are you concerned? Turn on a specific mattifying formulaformulated with active ingredients capable of absorbing a large quantity of sebum (such as silica or starch) and repelling water, and therefore sweat, for a guaranteed “dry touch” finish.
Our selection :
Anti-blemishes. Capital Soleil UV-Clear Fluid SPF50+, Vichy, €26
Mattifying. Fluid UVMUNE 400 Oil Control SPF50+ Anthelios La Roche-Posay, €17.70
Powdery finish. Tinted Blur SPF50+ Sun Secure, SVR Laboratory, €19.90
2. Dietary supplements protect against UV rays
By starting a treatment 2 weeks before departure for a sun destination, you will certainly reduce the risk of skin reactions such as summer lucite, because these capsules and gummies, rich in carotenoids, accelerate the rise of melanin on the surface of the skin and help it to better withstand the sun thanks to a supply of powerful antioxidants. But beware, if the epidermis is more resistant to the stress of the sun’s rays, it is not protected for all that: a sunscreen with a high index remains essential.
Our selection :
Prolonged and sublime. Sunissime Tan Capsule Preparer, Lierac, €16.90 for 30 capsules
Primer + progressive tan. 2 in 1 solar gummies, Oenobiol, €29.90 for 60
Antioxidants. Food supplement Pre-Sun AOX Uveblock, Isis Pharma, €19.70 for 60.
3. High indexes prevent tanning
On the contrary, by choosing an SPF 50 or 50+, you better protect your skin and ensure a gradual rise in melanin with the key to a better and longer lasting tan in time. Not to mention that the epidermis is then less exposed to premature ageing. In any case, the tan takes two to three days to appear and it does it best on healthy skin, spared from sunburn.
Our selection :
moisturizing. Sun mist face SPF50, Coola, €38
Pleasure texture. Sun Hydro Protect Ultra-Light Fluid SPF50+, Eucerin, €14.75
Comfortable. Moisturizing Lotion SPF50+ Hydra 24h Protect Ambre Solaire, Garnier, €9.90
4. Sunscreens are harmful to marine ecosystems
If the concentration of sunscreens in water remains extremely low, in the range of nanograms to micrograms per liter, most brands nevertheless carry out tests to ensure the safety of their products on fauna and flora. . Check for claims “Ocean Respect”, “Coral Safe”, “Ocean Friendly” “Tested in marine conditions” or “Biodegradable” on the bottle to make sure. In addition, many sunscreens are formulated to be water resistant, which limits the possibility of filter degradation in the marine environment.
Our selection :
97% biodegradable. Sun Milk SPF30+ High Protection Sun Lotion, Biotherm, €40
Respectful. Body sun spray SPF50+, Patyka, €29.90
Clean and responsible. Metamorphosing Protective Sun Water SPF50+, Garancia 22,90 €
5. Being in the water prevents sunburn
On the contrary ! Not only is the solar radiation not stopped until 40 cm below the surface, but the water produces a deceptively cool sensation that prevents you from feeling the heat of the radiation and the pain of the sunburn that sets in. Finally, the droplets have a magnifying effect which increases the danger. The good idea: if you swim a lot, opt for water-resistant sunscreen that will dilute even less quickly.
Our selection :
On wet skin. Photoderm Bronz SPF30 solar water, Bioderma, €21.90
Nomadic. Sun Reflex SPF50+, Avène, €10.50
Protects the skin and the ocean. Face & body cream SPF50+, Les Petits Prödiges, €25.90
How much product to apply?
It is necessary to count 2 mg of product per cm² of skin, to be renewed every two hours or more often if you bathe, that is to say:
– The equivalent of a €2 coin or 15 sprays of spray per area.
– Or the equivalent of a golf ball for the whole body.
My soothing home treatment
– Mix 8 tbsp. tablespoons coconut oil, 8 tbsp. tablespoons sweet almond oil and 4 tbsp. tablespoon aloe vera gel.
– Mix a small cucumber until you get a puree.
– Pour in the oil cocktail, stir until the texture becomes creamy and add 1ml of vitamin E and a few drops of lavender essential oil.
The sun’s rays are stronger in the mountains, do not neglect sun protection
Are dark skin types naturally better protected against UV rays?
They produce more melanin, a pigment that partly protects against UV, but that does not prevent a significant amount of them from penetrating despite everything. But they are responsible for sunburn, oxidative stress and especially DNA damage which can cause premature skin aging (pigment spots, wrinkles, loss of firmness, etc.) or even skin cancer. It is therefore essential to use photoprotection, whatever your skin type.
In summer in the mountains, are exposures less risky than at the beach?
On the contrary ! The UV index increases at altitude, making the rays more aggressive. And it’s even worse if there’s snow left, which reverberates them much more than sand, multiplying the amount that the skin receives. It is therefore essential to protect yourself well also in the mountains.
Dark spots faded with lightening products or dermatological lasers, can they be protected like the rest of the skin?
They result from a disruption of melanin synthesis, the cause of which may be overexposure to the sun, but also the taking of certain medications or even pregnancy. Lightening products and lasers can correct them, however to avoid their reappearance, it is necessary to maintain a preventive approach. In addition, following a pigment treatment, the skin is more sensitive to the sun, the area therefore requires very high protection against UVA, UVB and blue light, on a daily basis.
Thanks to Elodie Valin, Director of Scientific Promotion Bioderma
Read also :
⋙ Face sunscreen: 4 organic alternatives tested by our readers
⋙ Sunscreen: how to choose it according to my needs?
⋙ Should you apply your moisturizer or sunscreen first? Experts answer