Everything you Need to Know About PROPER Sun Protection | Avene Eau Thermale

18 November 2019

The warm weather is officially here and summer is just around the corner! More excitingly, holidays are nearing, so if you are anything like me, that means heading straight to the beach!!! Aaaah that bikini life… the dream to go and live on an island somewhere in the Caribbean lives on!! But not without my sunscreen lol!!

There is a lot of debate around the efficacy of sunscreen. Some even claim that sunscreen is unnecessary and that we are designed to be in the sun – that the sun’s rays are healthy for us, so we should not be blocking them out. While I can agree that sun exposure is important for us and helps with the production of Vitamin D in our bodies, anything in excess is never a good thing, and our only protectorate - the Ozone layer- is not exactly in great shape – so sunscreen is DEFINITELY important in protecting the skin, both for health and aesthetic reasons.

As with anything in life, the more equipped with information and knowledge we are, the better we become at understanding the significance of why certain things exist to begin with.

So here is a little sun screen 101 for you:

As we know, the atmospheric Ozone layer is becoming progressively more corroded over time, so we are all, more than ever before, at an increased risk of exposure to the harmful UV-A (long waves) and UV-B (short wave) rays of the sun. While short length UV-B rays infiltrate only the upper layer of skin, thereby causing sunburn, these rays have more energy and can therefore do far more damage to the skin. The long length UV-A rays penetrate quite deep but have a lower energy. These rays are what give us that glowing tan, but are also responsible for photo aging and can contribute to skin cancer.

WHAT DOES SPF EVEN MEAN?

SPF stands for sun protection factor.

 In simple terms, if a person develops sunburn within 5 minutes in the absence of sunscreen, with a sunscreen that has an SPF of 15, it will take that person 15×5= 75 minutes to develop the same amount of sun burn.

So, does that mean that with higher SPF’s, we will have 100% protection from the sun? Not quite. Researches have shown that an SPF of 15 will block 94% UVB rays, SPF 30 will block 97% UVB rays, and SPF of 50 will block around 98% of UVB rays. After this, the curve actually plateaus, and higher SPFs will block only slightly more UVB rays; but no sunscreen can block 100% of the rays.

So while there are many sunscreen brands on the market, with varying amounts of SPF, I would always recommend sticking to SPF 50, for your face especially.

If you are looking for a really good quality sunscreen, then I would really recommend the Eau Thermale Avène Sun Care Range. I am very fussy about the type of products I use, and have become increasingly more rigid in my choices because I am understanding more and more just how important good quality, natural ingredients are, not just for my own body, but also for my environment. I no longer want to support brands that have no interest in serving their environment of the health of the people that are purchasing their products, which is why I am so happy to share the Eau Thermale Avène Sun Care Range with you.

The Avène Hydrotherapy Center has been dedicated to dermatology since 1743 and has carefully selected innovative key ingredients for inclusion in their products - ingredients that have proven efficacy and tolerance under dermatological control! Textures of each and every product have been developed for the optimal comfort of sensitive skin, and are made according to rigorous pharmaceutical standards.

This Rigorous research and development has all given way to the creation of the new and improved Eau Thermale Avène sun care range (aka the No.1 dermo-cosmetic sun care brand in Europe), that comes highly recommended by dermatologists. This range offers optimal sun protection while minimising environmental impact.

Based on the exclusive Sunsitive® protection combination from Pierre Fabre Research, Eau Thermale Avène has been created using a patented filter system containing only 4 sun filters for very broad-spectrum, long-lasting stable and effective UVB-UVA protection with optimal skin tolerance.

It also contains a unique antioxidant complex (Pre-tocopheryl+ Thialidine), for complete cellular protection against oxidative stress.

The Eau Thermale Avène sun care range also includes Avène Thermal Spring Water, which is recognized for its soothing, anti-irritating and softening properties.

Thanks to a strict selection of ingredients which promote better formula biodegradability and are more difficult for marine organisms to digest, Eau Thermale Avène sun care products have been developed to minimize impact on the marine ecosystem. These gentle, effective, eco-friendly formulas and textures with an imperceptible finish carry a promise to protect the skin and respect the ocean.

This is made possible by ensuring that their ingredients:

Contain only Minimal, highly tolerated filters,

Contain no silicones

Contain no water-soluble filters

Are Free of controversial filters such as octocrylene, octinoxate (cinnamate), oxybenzone and homosalate.

Not only is this range incredibly effective (particularly for sensitive skin), Avene sun care is also highly concerned about the impact of sunscreen on the environment (and this makes me so so happy!!!)

MY PRODUCT EXPERIENCE

Eau Thermale Avène sun care Very High Protection SPF50+lotion is specially formulated for hypersensitive skin, light and very fair skin; skin prone to sunburn and skin exposed to extreme sunlight. As mentioned above, it covers a very broad spectrum UV protection using a combination of exclusive active ingredients. Its photo protective complex is optimised, stable and effective for extended periods. It offers the best protection against UVB and also long and short UVA radiations.

For the summer season, I have been alternating between the lotion and the fluid (both SPF 50). I was a bit worried that the lotion would leave a white residue, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it didn’t leave those annoying white streaks that many other sunscreens do.

If you opt for the fluid, the product comes in a delightful bright orange box and you can find all the details about the product written on the box itself. Inside the box, the sunscreen fluid is present in a tube, along with an information leaflet. The tube is a squeezable one, with a pump dispenser at its mouth, which in turn is covered by a plastic cap. The lotion comes in a simple tube and is quite large so this is ideal for the whole family. Both systems are hygienic, mess free, and ensure that no wastage; the fluid in particular is also great for travel.

The sunscreen fluid is white in color, has a mild floral fragrance. The consistency is between that of a cream and a lotion; neither too thick, nor too runny.  The fluid spreads on skin very easily. One to two pumps are more than adequate for the face and neck area. After proper blending, it sinks into the skin completely, without leaving any whitish or ashy cast on the face. It is not a mattifying product; but neither is it oily or greasy. The product gives an almost dewy finish; but has not caused me to break out or clogged my pores at all. I think that even oily skin types may be able to use this one in winter.

I have been using the Eau Thermale Avène sun care range for just over 3 weeks now, and I have been happy with the results. I have applied it alone; under makeup; and even under just a pressed powder. The results have been good with all types of application, and it has indeed protected me from sun burn. However, just like any other sunscreen, you have to keep reapplying to benefit from lasting effects throughout the day.

In Sum, here is a list of why I would recommend this product:

Pros of Avene Eau Thermale Very High Protection SPF 50+:

Oil, paraben, alcohol, and silicon free.

Certified UVA-compliant.

Very water resistant.

100% photostable.

Specially formulated for hypersensitive skin, light and very fair skin; skin prone to sunburn and skin exposed to extreme sunlight.

Packaging is sturdy, hygienic, and travel friendly.

Fragrance is mild, and pleasant.

Certain ranges are fragrance free for hyper-sensitive skin

Gets absorbed into skin easily enough.

Does not leave skin oily or greasy.

Gives a dewy feel to skin.

Does not leave any whitish cast on skin.

Can be applied underneath makeup as well.

Has not caused me to break out

Has not clogged my pores.

Consistency is perfect for all skin types.

Has an excellent and broad spectrum sun protection.

Can be used on children as well.

Contains many skin beneficial ingredients.

WANT TO GIVE BACK?

If you are interested in trying the Eau Thermale Avène sun care, then it is definitely worth noting that Avène has launched their very special project called Skin Protect, Ocean Respect. As part of this initiative, R10 of every Eau Thermale Avène Sun Care product sold for the months of November-December 2019 will be donated towards Turtle Conservation Initiatives along the Southern African Coast, in partnership with @whitepearlresorts.

I hope this has assisted you in better understanding the importance of proper sun protection and helps make decisions around your sun care regime a little easier J

Yours in Health Always

Cara-Lisa

@thecaracollective

xoxo