Decisive moment before going on vacation, choosing the sunscreen that will allow you to enjoy sunny days without fear of UV rays. Do not panic ! 60 Millions of consumers reveals their comparative test of the best sun care of the year. Here is the detail.
UV filtration, but also the ingredients and the environmental impact taken into account
The magazine 60 Million consumers analyzed 13 sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50 or 50+. The selection includes conventional and organic products with a mix of milks, creams and sunscreen sprays. The evaluation criteria used are:
- The filtration efficiency of UVB (SPF) and UVA (UVA-PF).
- The Cosmeto’Scorea was assessed taking into account the health (70%) and environmental (30%) impacts of the ingredients, according to an algorithm specific to the National Consumer Institute (INC). This is an overall risk score, ranging from A (product to be used without reservation) to E (very inadvisable).
- The aesthetic effect (white traces) was noted by three people with brown or black skin (phototypes V and VI).
- The quality of the labeling, which is regulated, has been checked, and the claims have been the subject of a critical analysis.
A marked improvement in the SPF factor
This year, the study carried out by 60 million consumers found a marked improvement in the SPF factor in sunscreen formulas, compared to studies carried out in the previous. However, some protective suncare products still contain substances that are problematic for health and the environment.
In terms of environmental claims, all the products concerned claim to comply with various rules, but the results or methods of the tests showing that their formula remains on the skin, whether it is biodegradable or non-toxic for the environment, are not always mentioned. . And for good reason, there is currently no framework that imposes it. It is impossible to know the impact that residues of sunscreens have on fish and marine mammals.. However, 60 million consumers point out that the manufacturer with the most extensive and transparent approach of the panel studied on the effects of their sunscreen on the environment is La Rosée Paris, followed by some distance by Eau Avène thermal baths, Bioderma and La Roche Posay.
Why is it important to use sunscreen?
Skin cancers are mainly due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which comes either from the sun or from artificial sources, such as tanning beds. Sunscreen is a good barrier against UVB rays. The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages the use of sunscreens with high protection indices, as well as the avoidance of prolonged exposure to the sun, especially from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. afternoon. Experts believe that four out of five cases of skin cancer could be prevented by taking simple precautions, so following certain precautions could be a game-changer.
How to properly use sunscreen?
For your sunscreen to be effective, you must apply it half an hour before exposure, then every two hours, at the rate of 2 mg (i.e. 6 teaspoons for an adult) in order to be in the conditions of tests that measure its effectiveness.
Find the complete ranking of 60 million consumers on newsstands from June 29, 2023
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