Free shipping on orders above €30
Ordered on working days before 23:00 is shipped today
Trustpilot 4.4 / 5
We have changed the formula of our sunscreen!

We have changed the formula of our sunscreen!

by Naïf in Blog

At Naïf we are all about protecting families from the harmful effects the sun can have on our skin. We believe that, by sharing knowledge and making good sunscreen, we can really help with creating a generation that knows how to take good care of their skin. To offer even better protection we took a good look at our sunscreen formula and we decided to make a little change. Let us tell you all about it!

In 2015 Naïf was the first brand in The Netherlands with a mineral sunscreen, because we believe that this is the best option to protect your baby. Because we were the first, we learned a lot and will continue to do so. Our goal is creating a mineral sunscreen without making compromises, that is safe (for human and planet), but also just as user friendly as traditional sunscreen products. That is why we evaluate and improve our formula every year again, no exception this year.

 

Mineral sunscreen

In our sunscreen we use a non-nano zinc oxide based UV-filter (if you want to learn more about UV filters you can do that here). Zinc oxide is a mineral that creates a protective layer on top of the skin that reflects harmful UV radiation. You can compare it to a mirror! Because zinc oxide does not penetrate the skin, but stays on top, chances of an allergic reaction are minimal and it offers immediate protection. Annually 14 million kilograms of sunscreen ends up in the ocean. Oxybenzone and octinoxate based UV filters are proven to be harmful to coral reefs. That’s why we stay away from these, and all ingredients that are a potential risk, and we chose to create a mineral sunscreen with a zinc oxide based UV filter.

Zinc oxide has many advantages, but there is one disadvantage: it can make the skin a little dry. This is exactly why it’s the main ingredient in our zinc cream which helps with diaper rash! To make sure the amount of zinc oxide in our sunscreen does not get too high we always add a booster made out of pongamia seeds. This booster enhances the power of the zinc oxide, so we can keep the amount of zinc in our sunscreen to a minimum.

 

Our changed formula

As we said before, mineral sunscreen is not always the most user friendly. It can be a bit harder to apply and can leave a white cast on the skin. It’s a compromise you have to make in exchange for a product that offers immediate protection and is mild for (sensitive) skin. But we hope to reduce this compromise a little every year. That’s why, in the last years, we worked on easier application and less white cast. This year we added a second booster. 

This booster is made from a new generation (non-mineral) UV filter: bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine. This UV filter is lab-made, but does not penetrate the skin and offers protection from the outside. Based on our current research, there are no documented effects on marine life due to this ingredient. The UV filter bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine is already being used in The Netherlands, but the combination with our mineral zinc oxide based UV filter is unique! By combining the zinc oxide with the booster we can guarantee a high quality SPF and a safe sun experience for you and your family!

But wait, does this mean that our new formula is better than last years? Not necessarily. It just depends on how you look at it. Both formulas do exactly as promised: immediate and good protection against the sun. The yearly improvements make our sunscreen easier to apply and more nourishing. Also this year. Let us know what you think!

We know for sure that all our sunscreen protects as promised, because they all passed their tests. Woohoo! We let the testing be done by an independent lab, specialised in mineral sunscreen. Just so you know it’s real good stuff.

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