Mineral Sunscreens: Why Sun Protection Is Important
Sun is good in moderation: Its light is your most important source of vitamin D, and its warmth provides a cozy feeling for most people. However, alongside all the positive effects, the sun also has its downsides: most damage to your skin and a significant part of skin aging are caused by sun exposure – so-called UVA and UVB rays. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself adequately from it.
Mineral vs. synthetic UV filters
Mineral and synthetic UV filters work according to different principles. Synthetic UV filters combine with the skin’s natural oils and convert sunlight into heat, which is then released through the skin. It takes a while for full sun protection to develop. Minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, on the other hand, sit directly on the skin and reflect incoming UV rays like a mirror reflects light. These natural UV filters work immediately after application and are not hormonally active.
How does the mineral sun protection work?
The mineral sun filter developed by lavera is referred to in the professional field as a physical sun protection. Your eye perceives the minerals, i.e., the pigments in the emulsion, through the light reflection on the skin as a white shimmer, meaning your skin appears whiter than when using synthetic sunscreens.
What is the sun protection factor?
The sun protection factor (SPF) indicates how well a sunscreen protects against UVB radiation. On a product, you will find both the SPF as a numerical value and the corresponding protection class (e.g., "high" or "very high"). Even sunscreens with a very high sun protection factor do not offer absolute protection against UV radiation.
Skin types & sun care
Every skin has its individual natural protection time. This is the period during which the skin does not suffer damage, such as sunburn, when exposed to the outdoors. Different skin types can be divided into 6 categories (see below).
With the following formula, you can better estimate your individual sun protection time for responsible sun exposure:
Natural protection time x SPF = possible time spent in the sun
Example skin type 1: Approx. 10 min. x SPF 20 = 200 min. = 3 hours 20 min. possible time spent outside. The protection time of your skin is used up for the day. Therefore, even when using a sunscreen, do not stay in the sun for too long.
What skin type do I have?
Skin Type 1: Very fair skin with freckles, often blue eyes and reddish or light blonde hair. After about 5 to 10 minutes in the midday sun, this skin type already gets sunburned. It usually does not tan.
Skin Type 2: Fair skin and gray, green, or blue eyes and blonde or dark blonde hair. The skin reddens after about 10–20 minutes if it is not accustomed to the sun. This skin type tans only slowly, and the degree of tanning is minimal.
Skin Type 3: Gradually tans, usually has dark blonde or light brown hair and gray or brown eyes. This skin type can stay in the sun for about 20 to 30 minutes before sunburn occurs.
Skin Type 4: With its brownish or olive skin, it is largely protected from sunburn, usually has dark hair and brown eyes, and tans quickly and noticeably. The skin reddens only after more than 30 minutes of sunbathing.
Skin Type 5: Light brown or dark skin, brown eyes, and black hair, and tans quickly in the sun. Sunburn rarely occurs with this skin type; natural protection lasts more than 90 minutes.
Skin Type 6: Dark brown skin that gains additional tan very quickly when sunbathing. Sunburn practically never occurs. Here too, natural protection lasts more than 90 minutes and usually exceeds that of skin type 5.
Special sun-related skin problems: Mallorca acne
The so-called Mallorca or summer acne appears as small but intensely itchy skin spots, pimples, or nodules, mainly forming on the upper body. It mostly affects women between 20 and 40 years old. The cause of Mallorca acne is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be triggered by the combination of UVA rays and the ingredients in oily, conventional sunscreens. For people prone to Mallorca acne, we recommend using mineral products, such as the lavera Sensitiv sunscreens.
Our innovation: A lightweight anti-UV fluid with mineral sun protection
The lavera Anti-UV Fluid SPF 30 forms an invisible film on your skin and immediately and reliably reflects UV rays. This not only prevents the first signs of sun-related skin aging, such as fine lines and pigmentation spots, but also provides a smooth skin feeling. The fluid is a perfect year-round companion for all skin types (including sensitive skin). The protective and moisturizing properties, along with the use of a mineral sunscreen, make the Anti-UV Fluid SPF 30 a true innovation in Natural Beauty.
Zinc Oxide (nano) in our sun protection products
We have consciously decided to use nanoparticles in our sun protection products. You can find more information and background here.
The Hawaii Reef Act
Did you know that around 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the oceans worldwide every year? The problem lies in the ingredients often used in sunscreen, such as Octinoxate and Oxybenzone. These remain in the environment and can harm animals and plants. Additionally, they are suspected of having an impact on human health.
To protect the ocean and reefs, Hawaii became the first US state to pass the so-called Hawaii Reef Act in 2018. Effective January 2021, this law bans the local sale of sunscreens containing the synthetic UV filters Octinoxate and Oxybenzone.
To reduce the burden on the seas caused by these two synthetic UV filters, we recommend sunscreen products with mineral-based sun protection. For the sake of the environment, our sunscreens have used purely mineral UV filters for more than 30 years. This makes them compliant with the Hawaii Reef Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply sun protection products correctly?
Apply generously to the skin before sun exposure. For an average adult, this is about 20–30 ml (6 teaspoons). Using less reduces the level of protection. Even sunscreens with a very high SPF do not provide complete protection against UV rays. Therefore, do not stay in the sun for too long even when using sunscreen and avoid intense midday sun.
What should be considered for babies & children?
Sensitive baby and children's skin should generally not be exposed to direct sunlight. For toddlers from 6 months old, we recommend a fragrance-free sun protection product, such as lavera Sensitiv Sunscreen Lotion KIDS SPF 50. Children's skin is thinner than adult skin, it cannot produce as many pigments and therefore has less natural protection. A very high sun protection factor is therefore very important for sensitive children's skin. In addition to a sun protection product, use protective clothing and a hat. As a general rule: loose and dark clothing offers better protection than tight and light-colored clothing.
Can I get a sunburn even in the shade?
In the shade, almost half of the direct sunlight still reaches the skin. Therefore, sunscreen should be used there as well!
Do I also need sunscreen in the water?
Even thirty centimeters below the water, our skin is still exposed to UV radiation. When swimming in water, the skin stays cool because of the water, even though the sun’s rays still reach it, giving a false sense of security. Therefore, use waterproof sunscreens.
How often do I need to reapply a sunscreen product?
Especially after swimming, sweating, or rubbing with a towel, sunscreen should be reapplied to maintain the desired level of protection. Therefore, reapply cream regularly.
What are nanopigments?
Nanomaterials are chemical substances or materials with a particle size of 1 to 100 nanometers (nm) in at least one dimension. Since the new EU Cosmetics Regulation came into effect in 2013, these particles, which range between 1 and 100 nm, must be declared in the ingredient list of sunscreens with the term “nano”*, e.g., zinc oxide (nano)*.
We have consciously decided to use nanoparticles in our sunscreen products. You can find more information and background here.
* IKW Industrieverband Körperpflege- und Waschmittel e. V.
