The only thing that should provide tingling excitement on vacation is a good book. But for 20 percent of Germans it is pimples and wheals instead, which are particularly common in sensitive and light skinappear. For many, natural cosmetics have been the solution so far. However, popular products such as Weleda’s “Edelweiß sun cream” or “Sun milk” from Dr. Hauschka have suddenly disappeared from the market. The reason for this is a new EU regulation, according to which UV-A protection must be at least one third of UV-B protection. Does that really make sense? And above all: How do you find a replacement product? Tolfioow answers the most burning questions, helps you to find out what the cause of your skin problems is, presents strategies against rashes and suitable sun protection products.
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Sunscreen does not protect against skin cancer
Anyone who has put on a good lotion can bask in the sun to their heart’s content? think! According to the University of Kiel, sunscreen with high UV-A and UV-B protection reduces the risk of sunburn, but it is not a license for careless use of the sun. In particular, the development of black skin cancer is favored by excessive sunbathing. The fact that sun creams do not protect against this is because the entire spectrum of the sun has not yet been researched. There is more than the well-known UV-A, UV-B and UV-C rays – and it is not yet known how best to protect yourself from the unknown.
Since a sun allergy is an over-sensitivity to UV-A radiation, a high UV-A factor is essential in protecting against tingling and scratching. The EU has therefore decided that from 2009 the ratio of UV-A and UV-B protection in a sun care product must not be less than 1:3. You can recognize this by a uniform symbol in which the letters “UVA” are surrounded by a circle. For many organic sunscreens, however, this regulation, which defines a minimum standard, means the end. The reason for this is that only mineral filters such as titanium dioxide can be used in natural cosmetics, which allow both UV-A and UV-B light to flash off like mini mirrors. However, it is difficult to determine an exact ratio with this method.What else should I look out for with my sunscreen?
Not only the UV protection itself is important, but also the consistency of the product. To avoid Mallorca acne, you should use a fat-free gel without perfume instead of a fragrant cream lotion. It doesn’t smell like a holiday, but it does without emulsifiers and preservatives such as parabens, which could irritate the skin . When it comes to sun allergies, in addition to high UV-A protection, soothing ingredients such as thermal water, vitamin E and dexpanthenol are important, as they help sensitive skin to be better protected against free radicals.
Mineral or chemical filters?
Mineral or chemical filters: which ones are gentler?
Previously, mineral filters were more appropriate for sensitive skin, as they were usually better tolerated than chemical ones. This is because mineral particles such as titanium dioxide do not penetrate, but lie on the skin’s surface like a protective film and reflect the UV radiation. Chemical filters, on the other hand, absorb the sun in the skin and convert it there into heat. People with sensitive skin can sometimes react to this “procedure” with irritation. In addition, a study by the University of Zurich has confirmed that some chemical filters can have a hormonal effect. So one to zero for mineral filters? Not necessarily. The catch: With mineral filters, only a maximum sun protection factor of 20 can be achieved. In addition, it is difficult to demonstrate the ratio of UVA and UVB protection. The sun protection trend for 2009 is therefore: Mixing is possible! Organic beauty manufacturers such as Lavera* have recently combined e.g. B. titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, as the latter provides measurable protection against UV-A light. Instead, conventional cosmetics companies often mix mineral filters with their chemical ones in order to achieve a high sun protection factor and at the same time better tolerability.
What helps if the rash is already there?
Despite all caution, did it happen? In the case of severe itching and burning wheals, allergy tablets from the pharmacy quickly provide relief. The antihistamines contained in it ensure that the stress reaction of the skin is neutralized and the resulting symptoms are alleviated. Hydrocortisone ointments are recommended as a first-aid measure for acute redness. Applied to the affected areas of skin for a few days, itching and pimples disappear in no time. Nevertheless: it’s better to stay in the shade and relax!
Can I prevent with my diet or with dietary supplements?
In addition to choosing the right sunscreen, you can also protect yourself from the inside against unwanted holiday companions. Substances such as lycopene or beta-carotene protect against the formation of skin-irritating free radicals, strengthen cell walls and thus prepare sensitive skin for exposure to the sun’s rays. However, to get the desired effect from diet alone, you would need to eat tons of carrots or tomatoes. Before going on vacation, it is therefore advisable to take the protective substances in the highly concentrated form of food supplements if you have very sensitive skin.
What type of rash do I have?
Sun allergy or Mallorca acne: what type of rash do I have?
If the skin reddens, two forms of intolerance can be responsible. The leader with a share of 90 percent is the sun allergy, which is far more common than the so-called Mallorca acne. UV-A rays are primarily responsible for sun allergies. Researchers at the Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology in Bochum suspect that in people with sensitive skin, UV-A light releases the body’s own messenger histamine – which causes skin tingling and a rash. You can tell if this is the case for you by the severe itching that spreads to the neck, shoulders and décolleté together with wheals. Affected particularly often: women with very light skin.
Mallorca acne
Do you have oily skin and are you sensitive to fragrances and preservatives all year round? Then your problems with sun protection are probably caused by Mallorca acne. In this case, the culprit is not so much the UV-A rays, but rather the emulsifiers, preservatives and perfumes in your sunscreen. The combination of UV light and chemical ingredients causes more free radicals to form on the skin, which can cause inflammation. The resulting nodules appear specifically on the face. The preservative methylparaben has a particularly high irritation potential. Researchers at Japan’s Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine have found that when combined with UV light, it can cause not only a rash but even wrinkles.
10 sun protection angels
10 sun protection angels
“CAPITAL SOLEIL SUN PROTECTION GEL-CREME 50+” FROM VICHY with vitamin E and thermal water. Without fragrances and parabens. With chemical filters. 50 ml approx. 16 euros.
“SUN ALLERGY PROTECTION SUN CREME-GEL 25” FROM EUCERIN with vitamin E and pagoda tree extract. Without perfume, dyes and emulsifiers. With mineral filter. 150 ml approx. 16 euros.
L’ORÉAL PARIS “SOLAR EXPERTISE SENSITIVE ANTI-AGE BODY MILK FOR SENSITIVE SKIN SPF 50” with a combination of mineral and chemical filters. Without perfume and dyes, without parabens. 75 ml approx. 12 euros.
“ALLERGIC SKIN SUN PROTECTION GEL SPF 30” BY LADIVAL. Non-greasy gel especially for oily skin with antioxidants and vitamin E. Without perfume, emulsifiers and preservatives. With chemical filters. 200 ml approx. 15 euros.
“SUN ANGEL CREAM SPF 50+” BY EAU THERMALE AVÈNE with thermal water. Suitable for light skin types with rather oily facial skin. Without parabens, non-greasy. With mineral filters. 50 ml approx. 15 euros.
“BURITI SUN MILK SPF 15” BY L’OCCITANE with organic buriti palm extract and beta-carotene. Light, non-greasy texture without colorants or preservatives, subtly perfumed. With mineral filter. 150 ml approx. 21 euros.
“SUN GEL 25” BY ILRIDO for sun-allergic skin. With vitamin E and dexpanthenol. Without emulsifiers, perfumes and preservatives. With mineral filter. 125 ml approx. 10 euros.
LA ROCHE POSAY “ANTHÉLIOS SPF 50+ SPRAY” with non-greasy formula. Without fragrances and parabens. With mineral filter. 200 ml approx. 15 euros.
“SUN SENSITIVE ANTI-AGE SUNMILK” FROM LAVERA with aloe vera. Without synthetic fragrances, colors and preservatives. Mineral filter mix of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. 50 ml approx. 10 euros.
“INNÉOV SUN CAPSULES” BY NESTLÉ AND L’ORÉAL. Lycopene and beta-carotene activate cell protection from within and prevent the release of free radicals. 30 pieces approx. 23 euros.
