Summer is approaching and you are surely looking at the destination of your next vacation. Beach, mountain, countryside, in France or abroad everyone finds the place that suits them. But who says summer also says sun! We tell you more about the sunscreens sold on Essence Box and give you some tips for spending a peaceful summer.

Some explanations

We are talking about sun creams index 30, 50 or even SPF 30, SPF 50... There are UVA and UVB. But what does all this mean? We'll tell you more right after.

SPF

The acronym SPF stands for "Sunburn Protection Factor", its French translation is FPS "Facteur de Protection Solaire". You will also find on some creams the acronym IP "Index of Protection". There are 4 levels of SPF:

  • SPF 6 to 10 : low protection
  • SPF 15 to 25 : medium protection
  • SPF 30 to 50 : strong protection
  • SPF 50+ : very strong protection

Each sunscreen index corresponds to a percentage of UVB blocked. For example: an index of 30 blocks about 95% of UVB rays and an index of 50 will block 98% of these rays. You will tell me that the difference is not very big between the two, but greater protection will be more effective and above all more suitable for fair and sensitive skin like the skin of children. But in any case, no sunscreen can guarantee total protection against UVA and UVB rays, which is why certain golden rules of application must be respected. 

UVA / UVB

UVA and UVB are ultraviolet rays that come from the sun. 95% of the rays that reach the Earth's surface are UVA and 5% are UVB. There are also UVCs, but they are blocked by the ozone layer.

UVA rays have high wavelengths, ie they have a fairly low energy. They are therefore, in the short term, less dangerous than UVB rays. But being in larger quantities, these UVA rays will penetrate deeper into the skin. They are responsible for the immediate tan. If you expose yourself for too long, you risk damaging your skin, accelerating its aging and even developing carcinogenic cells.

UVB rays have medium wavelengths, so their energy is greater than UVA rays. Unlike the latter, they stop at the level of the epidermis. These rays will stimulate the production of melanin and are therefore responsible for a long-lasting tan. It is the UVBs that will be responsible for your big sunburns if you expose yourself for too long. And in the long term, they can be at the origin of the appearance of cancer.

What is the sun capital?

According to the definition of the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research), the sun capital is "all the means of defense of the skin against the harmful effects of the sun. This capital is acquired at birth, non-renewable, and depends on the phototype of each individual. Each type of skin corresponds to characteristics and a type of reaction to aggression, in particular that of the sun."

In summary, this sun capital would be like a reservoir that we would have from birth and which would decrease with each exposure to the sun. Nowadays, more than 50% of our sun capital is consumed before we turn 18. This is why it is important to preserve this capital in order to avoid any risk of melanoma. But we are therefore not all equal in the face of the sun. The skins react and tan differently depending on the individual. For example, fair skins have a lower sun capital than dark skins.

It is difficult to calculate your sun capital but all skins must be well protected and this from an early age.

Focus on Essence Box sunscreens

Products "Ouate"

Ouate sunscreens are specially designed for children aged 4 to 11. The 1,2,3 sun mist and the face screen have an index of 50 to best protect your children's fragile skin. They protect against UVA and UVB. The bottles have been chosen so that children can use them independently. They learn from an early age to protect themselves from the sun and wear sunscreen.

The products are formulated without allergens and rated "Excellent" by Yuka. They are also tested under dermatological, pediatric and ophthalmological control to ensure high quality products for your children.

Products "Endro"

Endro's sunscreen is certified organic and index 50 to ensure better protection. It is designed for face and body and is fragrance free. They use mineral sunscreens that will have good skin tolerance. They do not allow UV rays to enter the epidermis and their effect is immediate. We offer this sun protection in two formats 50ml and 100ml in order to choose the format best suited to your needs.

Tips for a peaceful summer

So, of course, we're not telling you not to enjoy the sun. It is good for morale and it is also essential for the synthesis of vitamin D (which is essential for the proper functioning of our body). But here are some rules to follow to enjoy the benefits :

  • Avoid exposing yourself between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. which are the hottest hours and therefore the most harmful for your skin.
  • Stay mostly in the shade. To tan, a short exposure is enough. You avoid wasting the sun capital of your skin.
  • Use sunscreen each time you expose yourself to the sun, and reapply it every 2 hours, and especially after swimming or sweating.
  • Don't think of your sunscreen as a way to extend your time in the sun.

Special precautions for children

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Because children have fragile skin, we must be even more careful about their exposure to the sun:

  • Never expose a child under 2 to the sun
  • Protéger le corps de vos enfants avec des manches longues et un chapeau
  • To limit the application of sunscreen, you can use a swimsuit or an anti-UV suit
  • Always use sun protection factor 50 or 50+
  • Children's eyes are also very sensitive. In order to avoid any eye damage, wearing sunglasses is essential. Check that the glasses bear the CE mark and favor a brightness classification of 3 or 4 to ensure better protection.