Summer is here, and it's no surprise that new-and-improved sunscreen formulations are constantly evolving to adapt to the needs and concerns of people of all ages. With new studies and regulations constantly hitting the media, it can be hard to keep track of the best products to use. We spoke to the experts to find out what is hot in suncare today:
- Wider Range of SPF Options: “SPF product selections have increased,” says Karen Asquith, national director of education at G.M. Collin. “Some are mineral only, some a mixture of mineral and chemical, some are tinted, and some day creams have SPF added to them.”
- High-Energy Visible Light Protection: “In today’s modern world, people are spending on average about eight hours a day in front of their devices, including computers and phones,” says Chris Birchby, founder and CEO of Coola. “Recent scientific studies have highlighted the photo-aging effects that HEV (high-energy visible light) given off by these devices poses to skin. In fact, blue light can penetrate deeper into the dermal layer than UVA/UVB rays, although there is not the same skin cancer concern. Coola has invested a significant amount of time and resources into finding the most effective ingredients to combat this problem.” The company utilizes Full Spectrum 360 technology featuring a proprietary blend of antioxidants and plant-derived actives to help prevent skin damage from exposure to blue light, infrared, and pollution, including Indian jasmine stem cells, Peruvian pink pepper tree leaf cell actives, and premium white cocoa seed cell actives. These ingredients help prevent signs of aging, decrease oxidative stress, improve skin elasticity, refine skin texture, minimize pores, and support smoother and more radiant skin.
- Multi-Beneficial Sunscreens: “Sun protection is not a stand-alone product any longer,” says Ashleigh Kehrt, corporate educator at Image Skincare. “Nowadays, many moisturizers with SPF contain ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatories that provide protection against the aging effects of the sun.” Some anti-aging effects from sun exposure include wrinkling, brown and red spots, uneven pigmentation, and rough texture.
- Safer Ingredients: “The mineral sunscreen ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are not new, but they are surging in popularity and use,” says Kathleen Dwyer, director of sales and marketing for Fallene, makers of Tizo. “These minerals are inherently gentle. They work by reflecting and scattering UV rays away from the skin, and they don’t penetrate or absorb into the skin, so they don’t cause irritation or make their way into other tissues.”
- Healthy Ingredient Combinations: “Sunscreen formulas that pair natural, antioxidant-, and mineral-rich ingredients not only support overall skin health and pro-youth goals but they also further enhance the UV protection benefits,” says Shannon Esau, CEO and national educator at Rhonda Allison Cosmeceuticals. “For instance, ingredients like olive oil and tocopherols, which are rich in vitamin E, help protect the skin from UV damage and reduce the formation of free radicals to aid in the prevention of cell damage.”
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