Free shipping on orders above €30
Ordered on working days before 23:00 is shipped today
Trustpilot 4.4 / 5
Mineral sunscreen with a non-mineral booster, how does that work?

Mineral sunscreen with a non-mineral booster, how does that work?

by Naïf in Blog

At Naïf we believe that mineral sunscreen is the best option for the sensitive skin of babies. If you've been paying attention, you've seen that we've also added a non-mineral booster to our 2024 sunscreen formula. Yet we still talk about mineral sunscreen. Read here exactly how that works.

Every year we try to improve ourselves and our products, so that we have less negative impact and our products become even nicer to use. Mineral sunscreen is quite a challenge, it often leaves a white haze and can be difficult to apply. In our sunscreen formula this year we've added bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (BEMT) as a booster. Why we did this, you could read earlier in this blog about our updated formula. BEMT is a new generation UV filter, made in the lab, and therefore non-mineral.

 

Mineral sunscreen

As the first Dutch mineral sunscreen brand, we've had to figure out a lot ourselves. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. Where our sunscreen once started as a kind of white clay, we now have a fine product that spreads well and protects well! Every year we work on our formula, to make sure it keeps getting better. This year means that in addition to our previous booster based on pongamia seeds, we've added a second booster to improve the spreadability and effectiveness of our formula.

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (BEMT) is, as mentioned before, a non-mineral UV filter. Yet we still talk about mineral sunscreen. Why? Because the basis of our UV filter (and therefore our sunscreen) is still mineral, namely zinc oxide. What's more: the sunscreen contains more than eight times more zinc oxide (25%) than BEMT (3%). And so the basis of our UV filter remains zinc oxide and we still speak of a mineral sunscreen.

 

Why BEMT?

There are few options if you want to improve mineral sunscreen to guarantee consistent high protection (even if the sunscreen, for example, hasn't been shaken well before use). You always need boosters for that. Besides BEMT, another option is butyloctyl salicylate. However, we believe that this ingredient should not be used by pregnant women, because there are studies that suggest this substance can have negative effects on pregnancy duration and birth weight. And that's why we don't want to add it as a booster.

No negative effects are known for Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine on skin and the planet. We therefore think there is a future in this new generation of non-mineral UV filter as an addition to mineral sunscreen. This hybrid form of sun protection, where the basis is mineral and there is a supporting role for non-mineral UV filters, is already widely used in other countries such as the United States, but is still relatively unknown in Europe. As pioneers on the Dutch market, we're always looking for new innovations to provide the best possible protection.

 

Transparency

And we're not sneaky about it at all. We're proud of our product and think it's important that you as a consumer know exactly what you're putting on your skin. That's why we always communicate clearly about changes in our blogs and on our product pages. Is it still not entirely clear to you, or do you have other questions? Please let us know, so we can improve ourselves (in addition to our sunscreen)!

 

Tags: Sun protection
Previous Post Next Post

Related Posts

When do you actually need to apply sunscreen?

When do you actually need to apply sunscreen?

Now that the sun is showing itself more and more often, it's time to reach for the sunscreen. Because we love the sun, but we don't want to get burned! But from when is it really necessary to apply sunscreen? Spoiler alert: not just when the temperature rises above 20 degrees. For our sunscreen advice, we look at the UV index. We'll tell you more about it. The power of the sun The UV index indicates the strength of the sun. In this index, sun strength is indicated on a scale of 0 to 15. At an index of 0-2 we speak of virtually no sun strength, 3-4 weak sun strength, 5-6 moderate, 7-8 strong and 8+ very strong. In the Netherlands, the strength of the sun is generally 0 to 8. In high-altitude places or countries close to the equator, the index can reach 15. Although you might think that the UV index is higher on a warm day, that doesn't have to be the case at all. Sun strength is determined not by temperature, but by the position of the sun. The higher the sun is in the sky, the higher the UV index. The amount of UV radiation is affected by clouds, dust or moisture in the atmosphere. At what UV index do you get burned? The higher the UV index, the faster you burn. For example, at a UV index between 6-8, you can burn within a quarter hour if you have sensitive or light skin. The danger here is that your skin doesn't turn red immediately. This is sometimes only visible after a few hours. If you see your skin turning red, the burn has actually been happening for a while. Even at a lower UV index, burning is a risk. For example, at a UV index of 3, depending on your skin type, you can burn within half an hour. At what UV index should you apply sunscreen? At a UV index of 3 you can already get a sunburn, pretty shocking right? That's why it's recommended to apply sunscreen at least from UV index 3 onwards. In the Netherlands this is roughly from April to October. But, now that the sun is showing itself earlier, it doesn't hurt to apply sunscreen on a sunny day in February or March. In any case a good idea to always use a day cream with spf, your skin only gets more beautiful from it. Reapply every two hours, preferably with a sunscreen with at least SPF30.

Learn more
Sunscreen shelf-life: can you safely use last year's sunscreen?

Sunscreen shelf-life: can you safely use last year's sunscreen?

There she is again: the sun! You, and many others, probably still have some left over sunscreen from last year in your cupboard. But, is it still safe to use or did it expire by now? Read more to find out when it’s time to buy new sunscreen. Expiration Sunscreen creams, sprays and sticks all come with an expiration date. Just as with your food, this date is usually on the pack of the product. Usually the shelf life of sunscreen is indicated with 12M. Which means it’s safe to use the product up until 12 months after opening. Note: the product needs to be well-closed and stored in a dry and dark place at room temperature! Keep in mind that if your sunscreen got very warm, the SPF might have gotten lower. Naïf sun protection has (when closed) a shelf life of 36 months, when opened you can safely use it for 12 months. Does this mean you need to throw out your sunscreen after a year? Not necessary, but it is important to note that you’re not as well protected. Make sure that, when using an ‘older’ sunscreen, you apply it more often, because the SPF is not as good. The same applies to after sun: 36 months closed, 12 months when opened. But, with after sun, it is important to buy a new product after a year, because an open tube or bottle can contain bacteria and you’d rather not put those on the already sensitive or red skin. In doubt? Take a sniff Not sure if your sunscreen is still good to go? Just smell it! Does it smell differently than when you first used it, you might want to stay away from it. You can also check of the product still looks good. Watery or lumpy? Better get rid of it and get a new one. Storing sunscreen Make sure to keep your sunscreen in a cool place. The bathroom might be your first thought, but keep in mind that the bathroom has a lot of temperature changes, so it’s not ideal. Rather go for a drawer in your bedroom or a closed cupboard. Some might think the perfect spot is the refrigerator, and it’s definitely an option, but not necessary!  

Learn more
Our Baby Oil: Now New with 0% Fragrance

Our Baby Oil: Now New with 0% Fragrance

Baby skin is something very special. It is delicate, sensitive, and still getting used to the world. That's exactly why we at Naïf believe that care should be one thing above all: gentle, protective, and as reduced as possible. Because sometimes good care means adding less – and leaving more room for what is natural.From this thought comes our baby oil now also with 0% fragrance. Because every baby has different needsOur baby oil with fragrance has been a staple of many care routines for years. It smells subtle, feels pleasant, and is appreciated by many families. That doesn't change – this variant will of course remain in our range. At the same time, we know there are parents who consciously want to avoid fragrances. Whether due to particularly sensitive skin, a tendency toward skin irritation, or simply a desire to keep skincare as pure as possible.With the new fragrance-free variant, we want to meet exactly these needs. Not as a replacement, but as an addition. The same trusted care – just without fragrances.Babies don't need fragrance to be wonderfulBabies bring their own scent with them. One you can't explain, but you recognize immediately. For us, it was therefore clear: a baby oil just needs to be able to care gently.Our new baby oil with 0% fragrance gently provides the skin with moisture, protects it from drying out, and feels just as familiar as you know from Naïf – just without any additional fragrance.AllergyCertified – carefully testedOur new baby oil is also AllergyCertified. This means that formulations have been carefully checked to identify allergens and other harmful ingredients that can irritate the skin or lead to other known or suspected health problems. Products with this seal contain none of these ingredients. Especially with very sensitive baby skin, this can provide a reassuring feeling – for parents as much as for their little ones.Care that feels rightWhether with fragrance or without: Both baby oils were developed to gently care for and protect your baby's skin. Which variant fits best is your choice – by feel, by experience, and by what's good for your family.Because in the end, it's not about doing without or rules, but about trust. And about care that feels just as good as it works.

Learn more