We all know that it's important to protect our skin with sunscreen to avoid the harmful effects of the sun's rays.

But choosing the right product with the right protection factor isn't as easy as it sounds... so we'll explain!

First and foremost,we recommend avoiding exposure between 11am and 3pm, the time of day when UV rays are most intense. And your best protection is shade, clothing and hats!

Fill up on vitamin D!

Exposure to the sun fills you up with vitamin D. This vitamin, synthesized under the effect of the sun's rays, has multiple benefits for the skin and the body: it boosts morale, fights fatigue, boosts immunity, restores radiance to dull skin and strengthens hair and nails.

It's essential to our bodies and, in winter, it's common to be vitamin D deficient. So, in summer, we take the opportunity to expose ourselves regularly to the sun for short periods of 15 to 30 minutes (more or less depending on the sensitivity and color of your skin), applying sun protection, preferably in the morning or late afternoon.

What's the difference between UVA and UVB rays?

UVA rays are responsible for skin ageing, the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation spots in particular. They reach the dermis (the second layer of the skin): these are the rays that affect the skin deep down, even if exposure is not direct.

UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and burns when exposure to the sun is too intensive, or when you forget to reapply your sunscreen. These rays remain in the epidermis (the first layer of skin).

Sunscreens with an SPF protect against UVA and UVB rays, but even with a high protection factor, they can't be used to prolong sun exposure indefinitely.

What does SPF mean?

SPF = Sun Protecting Factor. It indicates the percentage of UVB rays blocked by the sunscreen.

SPF 15 blocks around 93% of UVB rays

SPF 30 blocks around 95% of UVB rays

SPF 50 blocks around 98% of UVB rays

UVA protection is equal to ⅓ of the SPF. It is therefore preferable to opt for a high SPF to filter UVA rays as much as possible.

No sunscreen product blocks 100% of rays. Your best protection is to stay out of the sun, especially if your skin is hypersensitive.

Mineral filters vs. chemical/organic filters?

There are two types of sunscreen: those containing mineral filters and those containing chemical/organic filters. The difference lies in the way they act to protect the skin.

Chemical or organic filters (such as Oxybenzone, Avobenzone and Octisalate) found in conventional products (supermarkets and pharmacies) absorb rays and then transform them. Unlike mineral filters, chemical filters allow rays to penetrate the skin, and can cause allergic skin reactions and irritation. What's more, they are not effective immediately after application: you need up to 30 minutes to be truly protected.

Mineral filters are the filters authorized in organic cosmetics. They come in two naturally-occurring varieties: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, both of which have been proven safe and effective. They create a physical barrier on the skin, directly reflecting the sun's rays. Mineral filters therefore do not penetrate the skin, making them far less irritating and effective immediately after application. There is still a belief that mineral filters leave too many white traces on the skin, which is not very glamorous on the beach... With MAKESENZ's new formulas, the particles of mineral filters are smaller (but not nano-particles) and therefore leave virtually no traces on the skin.

Beware of nano-particles!

Some suncare products may contain sun filters such as titanium dioxide in very small sizes: between 1 and 100 nanometers, these are known as nano-particles. In addition to preventing white marks, they make the product easier to spread and penetrate. Nevertheless, these nano filters are controversial. They are likely to cross the skin barrier, be absorbed by the body and have harmful effects on health. Most organic sunscreens therefore do not contain nano-particles.

In a nutshell:

To protect your skin from the sun's UVA/UVB rays, particularly during summer vacations, don't hesitate to opt for an ORGANIC suncare product with mineral filters (without nano-particles)! At Makesenz, we recommend Laboratoire de Biarritz sun protection products.

Why do we recommend it?

• Mineral filters work as soon as they are applied to the skin, reflecting rays through a powerful, hyper-protective mechanical effect.
• Mineral filters don't penetrate the skin, so they don't cause skin reactions or allergies.
• Mineral filters respect the oceans and the preservation of our eco-system.

Remember to reapply every 2 hours on average, and avoid exposure between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. At the end of the day, remember to thoroughly cleanse your skin to remove the sunscreen, much like removing make-up.

Your best protection is shade, clothing and a hat.

Have a great summer!