What you need to know about sun protection

Apply sunscreen, wear clothes, and avoid direct sunlight. Do it! Put on a cool UV-resistant outfit, like the ones from Beach & Bandits, wear a nice hat and stay in the shade between 12:00 and 15:00. And do not forget to apply a good sunscreen for you and your child for extra protection against UV radiation. How to choose a good sunscreen for you and your child Are you standing in front of a shelf full of bright coloured sunscreen bottles? Then you are probably looking for a SPF number. But what does that actually mean? SPF stands for Sun Protector Factor. It protects against UVB radiation and it is the UVB radiation that causes you to burn! In addition to UVB, there is also UVA radiation. UVA radiation can get deep into the skin and accelerates aging skin. Although UVA does not burn you, this form of UV radiation can cause skin damage. It is therefore important to buy a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB. A quick recap on the differences between UVA and UVB: UVA rays accelerate skin aging. Think of the ‘A’ as ‘Aging’. The UVB rays create sunburn on your skin. Think of the ‘B’ for ‘Burning’. So what is the best SPF for sunscreens? For adults, KWF Kankerbestrijding advises to use a minimal of SPF 15 for daily outdoor activities. But if you are sunbathing, walking on the beach or participating in winter sports then opt for SPF 30, preferably SPF 50. If your mini-me hasn’t celebrated his or her first birthday yet then keep them completely out of direct sunlight. The differences between chemical and natural filters Have you found the right SPF yet? Then now you can choose between a sunscreen with mineral or chemical filters. Chemical filters are made from synthetic and organic substances. These filters are absorbed into the skin and attract UV radiation into the skin. Mineral filters are made from natural ingredients and are inorganic substances. The filters stay on top of the skin and reflect off the radiation (Manaia et al., 2013, Serpone et al., 2007, Van Zundert, 2009). This is why your little one occasionally looks like Casper the friendly ghost! Sunscreen with a mineral filters work immediately when you apply a layer onto your skin. This is good news because it means that you can immediately go outside and enjoy the sun. If you have a sunscreen with a synthetic filter, you have to apply the cream at least half an hour before you are exposed to the sun. Mineral sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB radiations, and they do not irritate the skin. This makes them an ideal choice for small children, as well as people with sensitive skin. Our Sunscreen SPF 30 and Sunscreen SPF 50 contain natural UV filters. Ingredients such as Shea Butter and Zinc Oxide do not only protect the skin; they also nourish it at the same time. Naïf donates €0.50 to KWF Kankerbestrijding for every sunscreen that is sold. We hope that every sunny day contributes to a fight against (skin) cancer.