There are vast numbers of sun creams on the market. It is better to choose those with natural characteristics, following personal evaluation criteria such as skin type.
The desire for smooth, golden skin at the end of the holiday is certainly a common one, but achieving a good result requires taking care of our skin.
A tan is nothing more than the skin's natural defence against exposure to UV solar rays (ultraviolet). When we expose ourselves to the sun, the epidermis reacts by secreting substances that filter UV rays and by producing melanin, a pigmented substance that generates a tan and protects the skin.
UVA rays are those that penetrate deeply, reaching the dermis, and are known to be responsible for damage to the elastic fibres of connective tissue and for skin ageing, while UVB rays are those that stop at the epidermis, stimulating certain types of cells — the melanocytes — to produce melanin.
Read also: Tanning and food, how to stimulate melanin at the table for a perfect tan
During the first days of sun exposure it is important to protect yourself from UVB rays to avoid sunburn and erythema; after that, good filtration from UVA rays is needed, as these can cause more significant damage.
It is therefore essential to choose products calibrated for consistent protection, correctly alternating between different protection factors (SPF), which range from 50 down to 6 and even to products with no filter at all, always taking into account the characteristics of the skin on which they are to be applied.
Equally important is purchasing products with natural characteristics, avoiding those that contain parabens, PEGs, nickel, silicones and fragrances of synthetic origin, which are neither dermo-compatible nor eco-compatible.
Some sun creams contain chemical filters — synthetic substances produced in a laboratory, certainly effective but under suspicion that some may disrupt the endocrine system. It is therefore important to research thoroughly and opt for the latest-generation, photostable varieties.
It is better to rely on sun creams whose composition includes raw materials of plant origin such as olive oil, jojoba, almond, argan, linseed and, optionally, carrot extract and vitamin C, vitamin E, green or red tea as antioxidants.
The solar filters they contain may be mineral or physical filters — namely zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — added to creams in micronised form, capable of reflecting the sun's rays like so many tiny mirrors, with indisputable efficacy and greater respect for both skin and the environment.
Furthermore, thanks to new technologies, physical filters are now micronised in such a way that they no longer create the unpleasant white effect on the skin.
The herbal market offers numerous companies, so there is a wide range of choice capable of meeting everyone's needs.
If you are looking for a product with entirely natural characteristics, choose from the sun creams by Fitocose, Anthyllis, Officina Naturae, Natyr, Solar Tea or Bjobj, which use exclusively physical filters alongside a wholly plant-based and, in some cases, organic formulation.
The Bioearth range, while using excellent organic plant-based raw materials, opts for photostable solar filters of the latest generation — highly effective and with qualities decidedly superior to those considered problematic.
The Biosline sun range uses micro-encapsulated filters in particles of plant origin that do not come into direct contact with the epidermis, and their gradual release guarantees greater and prolonged protection during sun exposure.
Some companies combine physical filters with organic ones, so we can also look to other companies in the sector found in herbalist shops, such as Frais Monde, Helan and Erbolario — brands that are certainly well known and have been on sale for some time.
It is certainly advisable to consult herbalist staff to best assess all the characteristics of one's skin and of the products available, both for adults and for children, especially when the skin is very fair, so as to choose the the most suitable sun cream that allows everyone to enjoy worry-free time in the sun.