Now it’s slipping again: Sunscreen oils care for dry skin
Washed up seaweed and a hint of “Tyrolean nut oil” – that’s what the summer holidays of our childhood smelled like. Suntan oils were among the most popular UV protection products until they disappeared from the scene in the early 1990s. Their problem: Since the filters used at the time were not fat-soluble, they could not be distributed evenly; they also achieved a maximum sun protection factor of 10. That’s only enough for the shade, as we know today. But now sun oils are making a comeback – and even with high sun protection factors of up to SPF 30. “To achieve this, we use six different modern UV filters such as Mexoryl XL, which are not only oil-soluble, but also reinforce each other’s protective effect “, explains Britta Klebon, deputy head of the scientific department at L’Oréal.
PRODUCTS: eg “Tiroler Nut Oil Original Sun Oil LSF 6” from Dermapharm with walnut oil, 150 ml approx. 15 euros; “Solar Expertise Sun Oil LSF 30” from L’Oréal Paris with coconut oil, 150 ml approx. 12 euros; “Sun Oil Spray LSF 25” by Ilrido with jojoba oil, 200 ml approx. 15 euros
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Lightweight for oily skin
The fat years are over: Something easy for oily skin
Whoever hears “light” immediately thinks of cola, diet margarine or cheese. Now the term is also used more and more often on sunscreen for oily complexions, which even James Bond would use: “Shaken, not stirred” is the motto of the new, feather-light products.
Since they contain hardly any fat but a lot of moisture, the creams have to be swirled vigorously before application so that a small sphere in the bottle combines both phases. This method is called Shaka-Shaka technology. Instead of vegetable oils, which can sometimes overfeed oily skin, light sun creams often contain silicone. Nylon particles and starch from corn or tapioca roots mattify the complexion, while glycerin and thermal plankton provide moisture.
PRODUCTS: eg “Light Feeling Sun Fluid Face SPF 30” from Nivea Sun with glycerin and tapioca starch, 50 ml approx. 12 euros; “Ambre Solaire Light & Silky LSF 30” by Garnier with nylon, glycerin and cornstarch, 200 ml approx. 13 euros; “Sun Sensitive Shaka- Fluid LSF 50+” from Biotherm with thermal plankton, 30 ml approx. 29 euros; “Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50” from Kiehl’s with glycerin, 30 ml approx. 29 euros
Salt for sensitive skin
Don’t let it irritate you: salt for sensitive skin
Drinking a cappuccino in a street café and holding your face in the sun: that’s what you want, even with sensitive skin. You can – if you use sun care that does not contain colourants, fragrances and preservatives such as parabens, which can irritate a sensitive complexion. On the other hand, ingredients such as salt from the Dead Sea, which draws moisture from the connective tissue and binds it to the skin’s surface, have a calming effect (similar to salt on a slice of tomato). Its magnesium, potassium and calcium content also soothes irritations. Evening primrose oil uses gamma linolenic acid to cement porous areas between the skin cells, while olive oil slows down irritating free radicals.
PRODUCTS: eg “Olive oil skin in balance dermatological sun protection care spray LSF 30” from Medipharma without colorings, 150 ml approx. 10 euros; “Neutral sun milk SPF 20” from Lavera with evening primrose oil, without colourings, fragrances or preservatives, 50 ml approx. 10 euros; “Anti-aging face moisturizer SPF 50” by Ahava with Dead Sea salt, paraben-free, 60 ml approx. 20 euros
Escort protection for special cases
No problem: escort protection for special cases
Dry is good when it comes to holiday weather. But not for the skin, which needs at least 20 percent moisture for an intact outer barrier. So that it doesn’t flake and itch, sun protection for women with neurodermatitis or diabetes contains, for example, licochalcone from the Chinese liquorice root, which strengthens the skin’s defenses and prevents inflammation with a moisturizing protective cover. Mineral UV protection lets the sun flash off skin before it penetrates.
PRODUCTS: eg “Sun Lotion Dry Skin SPF 30” from Eucerin with Licochalcone, 50 ml approx. 14 euros; “Mineral Sun Cream SPF 50+” by Eau Thermale Avène, 50 ml approx. 16 euros
Anti-aging sun protection
A smooth success: anti-aging sun protection
“Only the sun is eternally young, it alone is eternally beautiful,” wrote the poet Conrad Ferdinand Meyer at the end of the 19th century. So that your skin stays smooth for as long as possible, the manufacturers of the 21st century enrich their sun care with active ingredients that we know from cosmetics against wrinkles. Polyphenols from citrus fruits or jasmine, for example, are in vogue and are supposed to protect the skin’s stem cells so that they can continue to produce fresh offspring. Other sun creams rely on “core competence”, they should act directly on our genetic information, the DNA in the cell nucleus. This is important to slow down the formation of wrinkles and reduce the risk of skin cancer. This is made possible by two of nature’s survivors who help cells to repair damage: tropical candlestick leaf extract and photolyase, an enzyme from brown algae. In addition, vitamin C strengthens the collagen fibers weakened by the sun and, in combination with grape seed extract, also wards off infrared A rays that damage the connective tissue.
PRODUCTS: eg “Protection and Regeneration Sun Protection Fluid SPF 20” from Ladival with infrared A protection cocktail and photolyase, 200 ml approx. 18 euros; “Capital Soleil Gel-Creme Face with Citrus Polyphenol LSF 50+” by Vichy, 50 ml approx. 16 euros; “High Protection Sun Cream SPF 50” from Babor with vitamin C and candle bush extract, 75 ml approx. 33 euros; “Aroma Sun Expert Crème Protectrice Anti-Rides SPF 30” by Decléor with jasmine extract, 50 ml approx. 29 euros
Hot Tips
Enlightening facts and hot tips
In order to protect yourself optimally from the sun, it is not only important which product you use. How you use it is also important.
A LOT HELPS A LOT To ensure that the specified light protection is actually achieved, you must not skimp when rubbing it in. As a rule of thumb: You need about 3 tablespoons of cream for the whole body.
ROUND THING The sun protection works best if you apply your sun care in circular strokes instead of massaging it in.
GO TO OVERTIME? That’s only possible in football! Applying SPF 10 three times a day does not protect like SPF 30. Nevertheless, apply cream regularly because the protective filters are lost through sweating, swimming or rubbing with a towel.
SIESTA IN THE SHADE The sun shines most intensively between 11 am and 3 pm. Better put it under the umbrella then!
