The truth about sunscreen

26/04/2024

Astuces & routines beauté

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Isabelle B.

Much more than a summer accessory, sunscreen should be the essential treatment to adopt in your routine, all year round. At TOPICREM, we provide very high protection to your skin every day, through a selection of dedicated treatments.

Understanding the effects of UV rays

The sun's rays come in several distinct categories, each with specific implications for skin health:

UVA rays are associated with premature aging of the skin . They can penetrate deep into the skin , causing premature aging, loss of firmness , and contributing to the development of age spots . And if you didn't know yet, they pass through clouds and windows.
UVB rays , most intense between April and September, especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. , are the main cause of sunburn . They act on the surface of the skin, causing redness or burning .

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Everything you need to know about SPF

First of all, understanding the meaning of protection indices is essential to choosing the right sunscreen for your needs. If you browse our HYDRA + , MELA and CALM + ranges you will see this acronym: SPF , meaning “Sun Protection Factor” in French. This index is a key element to take into account when choosing your cream.

An SPF 30 blocks 95% of UVB rays,
An SPF 50 raises this protection to 98% .

The difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is minimal . If you want to know more about UV indices and how they affect your skin, we recommend reading our article on the effects of the sun on your skin

How to choose the right sun protection?

1. Choose a suitable SPF:

First, make sure the sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection , meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

To make your choice easier, know that the SPF index indicates the level of protection against UVB rays . The higher the SPF rating, the greater the protection against sunburn.

To identify protection against UVA, responsible for skin aging, look for the circled UVA logo or the PA logo followed by + .

For daily protection, we suggest opting for a cream with a protection factor of at least 30 . However, if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors , opt for a higher SPF, such as 50 or even 50+ .

2. Look for effective and approved active ingredients

Beyond sun filters, choose products containing additional active ingredients ensuring internal biological protection of your skin cells (echinacea extract, vitamin E, etc.).

Prefer compositions that have been rigorously tested to assess their impact on marine biodiversity , thus ensuring that this will be as minimal as possible.
3. Consider your skin type
If you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin , look for formulas that have been tested on this target . For oily skin , opt for non-comedogenic and lightweight formulations that won't clog pores. Explore our SUN PROTECT sun care range , designed to meet the needs of even the most delicate skin.
Also adapt the choice of your sun protection to your needs and your phototype , this allows you to classify your skin according to its reaction to the sun and its sensitivity to UV rays .

4. Consider water resistance

If you plan to swim or sweat, choose water-resistant sunscreen and reapply it regularly , especially after swimming or sweating.

The essential steps to properly apply your sunscreen

On summer days, sunscreen is a natural part of your routine. Indeed, taking care of your skin and protecting it daily is essential.

Should I use sunscreen in all weathers?

Even on cloudy days, UV rays are present and can be harmful, especially UVA rays.

Did you know that our environment also reflects the sun's rays? So, even lying in the shade on the grass, your environment exposes you to the sun's rays . Sunscreen becomes your essential ally, use it without moderation!

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How much sunscreen should you use to protect your skin?

In practice, many users tend to underestimate the recommendations of dermatologists: generous application is essential for optimal protection against UV rays.

The ideal is to cover our entire body with 35g of sunscreen, which is equivalent to 7 teaspoons.¹

TOPICREM tip:

Apply a generous line of sunscreen from the tip of your middle finger to your wrist , then apply it to every part of your body. For spray sunscreens, this works out to 15 sprays on each area of your body. And your skin will be protected.

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Discover TOPICREM advice for optimal protection:

Make sure to apply sunscreen evenly to your face and neck. Consider spreading more on sensitive and often forgotten areas like the nose and ears .

Get into the habit of applying your sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure . Indeed, organic filters require this time to become fully active.

Finally, remember to reapply every 2 hours , and more frequently after sweating or after swimming.

For optimal protection, wear accessories such as a hat and sunglasses in addition to sunscreen.

Protect your skin with TOPICREM personalized sun care

Preserve and protect your skin with TOPICREM personalized care solutions.

At TOPICREM , we design treatments combining sun protection and well-being. Available in several formulations, they adapt to your skin type . Made up of sun filters, our products offer protection against UVA and UVB while hydrating and nourishing your skin.

TOPICREM, for each sensitive skin, a dedicated solution!

Protection and hydration

You want to integrate effective sun protection into your daily routine, while combining optimal hydration . Our HYDRA+ PROTECTIVE DAY CREAM SPF50 is the one you need. Thanks to high SPF50 PA++++ protection and its postbiotic complex , this cream brings hydration and radiance to your skin. Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic , it adapts to all skin types and leaves no white marks
Protection and pigment spots

To protect your skin from pigment spots during sun exposure, choose our MELA ANTI-DARK UNIFYING DAY CREAM SPF50+ . Its combination of the MELA complex with sun filters and a dipeptide offers protection against the harmful effects of UV and blue light while acting on your existing spots .

Did you know ? Studies show that the blue light emitted by your digital devices excessively stimulates melanocytes, thus promoting the appearance of pigment spots.

Protection and sensitivity

If your skin is reactive or prone to rosacea , opt for our CALM+ DAILY ANTI-REDNESS CREAM . This facial treatment reduces and helps prevent visible redness thanks to its active ingredient Centella Asiatica, while ensuring optimal SPF50+ protection with broad UVA/UVB spectrum . This cream is ideal as a makeup base!
Protection and beauty

Discover our commitment to sensitive skin with our HYDRA+ RADIANCE TINTED CREAM SPF50+ , a 3-in-1 treatment offering coverage, sun protection and hydration . The little extra of this cream? Its pigments, which effectively camouflage irregularities and imperfections .
Result : an even and radiant complexion, with double defense against pollution and UV rays.

What sunscreens should you avoid?

Certain ingredients and formulations found in sunscreen should be avoided due to their potential impact on your health and the environment . Here is a brief list:

Octocrylene is a filter against UV rays which, over time, transforms into benzophenone and can therefore become dangerous. This compound has potential as an endocrine disruptor due to its modest estrogenic activity, and it is also associated with many allergic reactions.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate : These ingredients used as UV filters are present in many sun creams. Upon application, they are absorbed by the skin, metabolized and excreted. These compounds can cause skin allergies and some also consider them to be harmful to coral beds .

Untested and unsuitable: If you have sensitive skin , we recommend that you ensure that the product has undergone dermatological testing, particularly suitable for your skin type.

TOPICREM advice:

After expiry dates, certain components may present health risks. A practical tip: sometimes solar products display a pictogram representing an open jar accompanied by a number followed by the letter “M”. This indication represents the duration in months during which the product can be kept after opening. In any case, it is not recommended to use a sunscreen product from one year to the next.

Practical, simple, but essential , sunscreen should not be a summer option, but an essential all year round . Make the health of your skin a priority with products adapted to its needs and take full advantage of each sunny day with complete peace of mind.