5 Tips to Protect Yourself This Summer

Summertime! A season of outdoor activities, regular visits to the parks and beaches and a time to unwind under clear skies. Spending time outdoors is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress and get vitamin D. However, too much time outdoors and not enough sun care protection can lead to skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer¹. Cetaphil®, a leader in sensitive skincare products which are dermatologically tested², is pleased to share 5 Creamy Complete Care tips for your Sensitive Skin Protection, and making these tips daily habits, everywhere you go, all year long.

Cetaphil® is also proud to announce its expansion of its current sun care range… Introducing the NEW Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Face-Fluid 50ml Tinted and the Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Face-Fluid 50ml Non-Tinted.

Developed particularly for the face, these regulating Multi-Protection-Fluids offer reliable protection from atmospheric pollution and is suitable for daily facial sun protection³ ⁴. Benefits of the Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Face-Fluid 50ml Tinted and the Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Face-Fluid 50ml Non-Tinted include:

- Moisturisation up to 8 hours.

- Non-comedogenic (won’t block pores).

- Contains antioxidants.

- Provides broad-spectrum protection of SPF50+.

- Is sweat resistant.

- Provides a long-lasting mattifying effect.

- Is water/salt-water resistant.

- Helps against atmospheric particle pollution.

Tip #1: Sunscreen should protect against UVA & UVB

Cetaphil® recommends opting for a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum protection (against UVA & UVB) and with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher⁵ ¹¹. UVB rays have more energy and are more potent cause of at least some skin cancers, but both UVA and UVB rays can damage the skin and cause skin cancer⁵. The label/word ‘broad spectrum’ indicates that the sunscreen contains ingredients that effectively protect against UVA rays as well as UVB⁵. Cetaphil® offers a wide range of sun protection, suited for the whole family:

Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Lotion - A liposomal sunscreen lotion (sunscreen lotion that contains small particles of UV-blocking component of sunscreen) for the face and body with very high UV protection⁶.
Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Gel – An oil and emulsifier-free gel sunscreen formulation for sun protection for sensitive and oily skin⁷.
Cetaphil® Sun Kids SPF 50+ Lotion – A liposomal sunscreen lotion for very high UV protection formulated specifically for kid’s delicate skin⁸.
NEW Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Face-Fluid 50ml Tinted and the Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Face-Fluid 50ml Non-Tinted.

Tip #2: Be worn when cloudy or sunny

Sunburn hurts in more ways than one. The danger goes far beyond any short-term pain, redness and discomfort, because after the sunburn fades, lasting damage remains. You can burn on an overcast day. Be careful even when the sun isn’t shining. Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate through the clouds⁹. Cetaphil® encourages all consumers to make sun care protection part of your daily routine, and not just when the summer sun is blazing and you’re relaxing by the pool. It all adds up, whether it’s through the car window when you are driving or while you’re enjoying the outdoor Summer season.

Tip #3: Be applied every 2 hours

No matter the SPF, ethnicity or skin type, Cetaphil® recommends applying sunscreen every day, 20 minutes prior to going outdoors and reapplying every 2 hours of exposure, especially after swimming⁵ ¹⁰. Further reapplication is necessary after vigorous activity that could remove sunscreen, such as towelling, or excessive perspiration and rubbing.

Tip #4: Be SPF30 or higher

The SPF number indicates how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden the skin when using the product exactly as directed VS the amount of time without any sunscreen (i.e. with an SPF 30, it would take 30 times longer to burn if you weren’t wearing sunscreen)¹⁰. This does not mean you have longer sun protection time against UV and should not be mistaken with how often you need to apply sunscreen – regardless of SPF, you always need to reapply every 2 hours. An SPF 30 or higher is recommended and necessary for extended outdoor activities, including distance running, hiking, swimming and outdoor sports¹¹.

Tip #5: Be applied daily

Sunscreen is one of the most crucial skincare products to add to your daily regime. It is important to remember to wear your sunscreen every day or you may be putting your skin at risk. Ultraviolet rays are always present, and they are the cause of sun damage and skin cancer¹¹. Daily and consistent use of sunscreen helps to prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun which include wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin over time¹⁰.

So, remember, no matter the skin type – ALWAYS wear sunscreen!

References:

1. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sun-safety.html

2. https://www.cetaphil.co.za/about-cetaphil

3. Galderma Data on File (ID 1673)

4. Galderma Data on File (ID 1674)

5. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/uv-protection.html

6. https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/cetaphilr-sun-spf-50-lotion

7. https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/cetaphilr-sun-spf-50-gel

8. https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/cetaphilr-sun-kids-spf-50-lotion

9. https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/sunburn/

10. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/