Wednesday, August 7, 2024
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With around 300 sunny days and 2,500 hours of sunshine per year, Spain is at the head of countries with the highest sun exposure, especially during the summer. In addition to the health aspect, sustainability is also a dual challenge of taking care of our body and the environment.
Summer involves more free time, more hours of light, and increased exposure to the sun. The sun's rays have a positive influence on people's mood as the body absorbs vitamin D, which helps release happiness hormones. However, the medical community has been warning for decades about the importance of protecting the skin from exposure to sunlight, especially between 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., when temperatures reach their peak.
Everyone is exposed to the light, heat, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun, which in excessive amounts can be harmful to health. Therefore, the World Health Organization created the global solar UV index (UVI) which measures from 0 to 11+ the intensity of this radiation on Earth's surface and its effects on the skin. According to this scale, values lower than 2 do not require any type of protection; those between 3 and 7 require protection, while values higher than 8 merit extra attention.
Therefore, following health recommendations, the first step to avoid unnecessary risks is well known: whether it's hot or not, a cloudy day or the sun is shining, sunscreen is a must. And, although none offer “total protection,” Quirón Prevención suggests that the sun protection factor (SPF) be at least 30. The higher the factor, the greater the protection. Thus, SPF 15 has the ability to filter 93% of UVB rays; SPF 30 filters 97%; SPF 50 reaches 98%, while SPF 100 filters 99% of this radiation.
Sustainability not only in packaging
Along with taking care of the body, the cosmetics industry has added sustainability as a central factor with the launch of more environmentally friendly products. As users, in a market that includes a wide range of possibilities, we can also find options in sun creams that take better care of the environment.
In this regard, the main difference lies in physical and chemical filters. The former act as a screen, blocking the passage of light to the skin; the most sustainable sunscreens contain a physical solar filter composed mainly of titanium oxide or zinc oxide. These are more environmentally friendly compared to others that are not biodegradable. Second, these creams avoid the use of certain compounds in their formulation that are less suitable for the environment.
Moving from content to form, packaging is another factor that can limit their environmental impact. It is becoming increasingly common in the industry to see biodegradable packaging or packaging made from recycled materials. Therefore, we advise you to carefully read the materials with which the item is made and how recyclable it is, as well as avoiding unnecessary packaging or seeking optimal use of the content. These guidelines will help you choose a sunscreen that takes care of your skin and that is also environmentally friendly. If the container is made of plastic, remember that you should recycle it. Here are some guidelines on how to do so.
Other recommendations
In addition to the use of sunscreen, the Spanish Association of Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has developed a set of best practices to prevent the “avoidable” adverse effects from sun exposure. These recommendations include:
- Reduce the parts of the body directly exposed to the sun; cover your head with hats and caps, and use approved sunglasses that filter at least 90% of ultraviolet rays.
- Avoid remaining in the sun for a long time, even when using sunscreen, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
- Especially protect children with high SPF creams.
- Follow the same guidelines if head to the mountains instead of the beach, since the power of ultraviolet radiation increases by 4% for every 300 meters of height.
- If you are taking medication, make sure it does not increase skin sensitivity to this type of radiation.
- Do not forget to put on sunscreen before going swimming, as radiation can penetrate up to one meter in clear water.
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