The main thing is that the sunscreen really protects against ultraviolet radiation and does it as safely as possible.
A “natural” composition is not necessarily effective and is not always safe, as both natural and artificially synthesized substances can be both harmless and hazardous to health.
In children's products, inactive ingredients must also be safe, not undergo photochemical reactions and not cause allergies.
To analyze the compositions, data on ingredients from the databases pubchem and ewg skin deep were used.
The safety rating is based on the adverse ingredient rating. The lower the score, the worse the reputation of the ingredient and cream.
Sunscreen should not contain:
- NANOPARTICLES of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (nanoparticles can accumulate in the skin, change the effect of other filters, damage cells and genetic material)
- oxybenzone (sunscreen filter, causes photochemical reactions with the release of free radicals, penetrates the blood, can act like the hormone estrogen, cause allergic reactions)
- methylparaben (preservative, can interact with UVB rays and accelerate skin aging)
- retinol (Vit A, when exposed to UV can damage the skin, accelerate the development of skin tumors)
- fragrances (may cause photochemical reactions)
- essential oils that can cause photosensitivity and pigmentation (such as citrus fruits, orange, bergamot, mandarin, grapefruit, lime, lavender, rosemary, rice, angelica, tea tree)
- alcohol at the beginning of the list of ingredients (added so that the cream dries faster. Alcohol dries out the skin, so for atopics its presence at the beginning of the composition is undesirable)
- unwanted auxiliary ingredients
It’s good when the cream contains antioxidants ( Vit E, C, green tea extracts, etc.) and panthenol, but as a rule, there are very few of them and it is better to apply them separately, after sun exposure.
Let's start with popular products that can be bought at the pharmacy.
We have identified pharmaceutical products separately as the most expensive and reliable products, and we will start with them.
1. Avene milk SPF 50
2. Bioderma Photoderm Kids milk SPF 50
3. Uriage Bariesun enfants SPF 50
4. Mustela milk SPF 50
5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios milk SPF 50, from 6 months
6. Ladival milk for children SPF 50, from 3 years
- All pharmaceutical products turned out to be quite safe.
- Not a single cream contains fragrance, oxycrylene, methylparaben, or retinol.
- All contain antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals produced by ultraviolet light.
- Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are used only in the product from Ladival (namely nanoparticles! Titanium dioxide in regular and micronized form is not dangerous!)
- In terms of protection effectiveness, Bioderma and Uriage are inferior to the others.
- The product from La Roche-Posay uses an octisalate filter, to which allergic reactions occur.
The safety and effectiveness rating is rated from 1 to 5 and the lower the rating, the worse the reputation of the product.
In the “conclusions”, those products whose effectiveness rating was 5 received a green tick, and products with a rating of 4 can be recommended to a limited extent, for example, in conditions of inactive insolation or the inability to buy another product. The effectiveness of Sanskrin is more important than its safety.
So, as effective and safe, we can recommend 3 products for purchase:
- Avene milk SPF 50,
- Mustela milk SPF 50,
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios milk SPF 50
1. Avenemilk SPF 50
Security: 5
Efficiency: 5
Tinosorb m, tinosorb s, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, avobenzone
Modern and effective Sanskrins. Protects against all types of rays. Waterproof and photostable. The only remark is that there are no physical filters; they could reduce the share of chemical ones. Contains antioxidants. There is no fragrance.
2. BiodermaPhotodermKids milk SPF 50
Security: 5
Efficiency: 4
Tinosorb m, avobenzone, juvinul e150
There are only three filters, and only Tinosorbm protects against UVB. Not very reliable, in my opinion, although Tinosorb is one of the newest and most effective filters. The composition of the base is good. No fragrance, contains vitamin E.
3. Uriage Bariesun enfants SPF 50
Security: 5
Efficiency: 4
Tinosorb m, avobenzone, juvinul e 150
A good composition of Sanskrins, however, also without physical filters. Covers all types of rays, photostable, waterproof. There are no fragrances, there are antioxidants (though at the very end, which means there are very few of them).
4. Mustelamilk SPF 50
Security: 4
Efficiency: 5
Juvinul Aplus, Juvinul e150, insulinol, titanium dioxide, tinosorb s
Very good composition of sunscreens, covers all types of rays, waterproof and photostable. Safe base. Contains antioxidants. There is no fragrance.
5. La Roche-Posay AntheliosmilkSPF 50With 6 months
Security: 4
Efficiency: 5
Octisalate, tinosorb s, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, mexoril xl, diethylhexyl butamido triazone
Powerful and effective composition of Sanskrins. Photostable, waterproof, blocks all types of rays with a margin. Contains antioxidants and shea butter.
Octisalate may cause allergies. No fragrance
6 . Ladivalmilkfor children SPF 50, from 3 years
Security: 3
Efficiency: 5
Octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone, titanium dioxide (nano), tinosorb s
A good combination of Sanskrins, they stabilize each other. Thanks to Tinosorb, all types of rays are blocked. I would like to see micronized titanium dioxide, not nano. Octisalate may cause allergies. No fragrance. Antioxidants – Vit E, grape seed extract.
Sunscreens you can buy in store They protect quite effectively from ultraviolet radiation. But almost everything in the composition contains unwanted ingredients. These are both sunscreen filters themselves and auxiliary components of the cream (preservatives, fragrances).
It is difficult to agree with the recommended age for starting use - firstly, children under 6 months of age do not need to be in the active sun, even with sunscreen applied, and secondly, the compositions of these creams are not so safe as to apply them to susceptible and thin skin baby.
The most popular store-bought products are:
- NIVEA SUN Baby SPF 50, from 3 months.
- NIVEA SUN kids SPF 50, from 3 years.
- Bubchen Sunscreen milk for sensitive skin SPF 30, with 0.
- AQA baby Sunscreen SPF 50, from 6 months.
- Sanosan Sunscreen milk SPF 50, with
- Floresan Africa kids cream SPF 50, from 1 year
- The safest and most effective among them is Garnierambre solaire kids. It has a good composition of Sanskrins, and more or less tolerable basic composition.
- In other creams, the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles is confusing.
- In terms of ingredient safety, all products are approximately equal.
- There is a difference in the effectiveness of protection - Bubchen protects the worst, Garnier and AQA baby protect the best.
- The worst of all the 18 creams we tested was Floresan Africa kids. It contains the highly undesirable sunscreen filter oxybenzone, which in the sun promotes the formation of free radicals, photo allergic reactions, penetrates the bloodstream, can have a hormone-like effect (like estrogen). It is not recommended for use not only by children, but also by adults.
- Garnier ambre solaire kids aqua cream SPF 50
If you don’t have to choose, then the following are acceptable:
- NIVEA SUN Baby SPF 50
- AQA baby Sunscreen SPF 50 (many allergenic ingredients)
- Sanosan Sunscreen milk SPF 50 (many allergenic ingredients)
1. Garnier ambre solaire kidsaqua- creamSPF 50
Security: 4
Efficiency: 5
Octisalate, Avobenzone, Tinosorb S, Mexoril XL
Good composition of sunscreens, reliably block all types of rays. But I was not at all pleased with the composition of the base - fragrance, phenoxyethanol baby cream obviously unnecessary. Antioxidants are in the middle of the list, which is good news - it means you can count on them at least a little. Octisalate may cause allergies.
2. NIVEA SUN Baby SPF 50,With 3 months.
Security: 3
Efficiency: 4
A good composition of Sanskrins, covering all UV lengths. Waterproof, photostable. Alcohol is at the top of the list. No fragrance. Contains panthenol and antioxidants. I didn't like nano titanium dioxide.
3. NIVEA SUN kids SPF 50,from 3Xyears
Security: 3
Efficiency: 4
Octocrylene, Titanium Dioxide (nano), Avobenzone, Tinosorb S
The composition of Sanskrins is the same as that of Nivea Baby, but here the composition of the base is disappointing - phenoxyethanol, fragrance and methylpataben, which enters into photochemical reactions. Contains vitamin E and panthenol.
4. BubchenSun protectionmilkForsensitiveskin SPF 30,With
Security: 3
Efficiency: 3
Titanium dioxide (nano) Octisalate, Juvinul Aplus, Insulizol, DIETHYLHEXYL BUTAMIDO TRIAZONE
This Sanskrin is positioned for children from the first days. I cannot approve of this approach, since even with sunscreen, it is not recommended to keep a baby up to 6 months in the open active sun (and this is when sunscreen is required). And not only because of the harm of UV rays, but also because of the danger of overheating. Now to the composition. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The filters are photostable, some are waterproof, but in general they provide protection mainly from UVB. Octisalate may cause allergies. Alcohol is at the beginning of the ingredients list, i.e. There is a lot of it, it can dry out the skin. The composition contains antioxidants and panthenol, but their share is insignificant. No fragrance - this is very good.
5. AQA baby Sunscreen SPF 50, from 6 months.
Security: 3
Efficiency: 5
Octisalate, Octocrylene, Avobenzone, DIETHYLHEXYLBUTAMIDO TRIAZONE, Insulizol, Titanium Dioxide (nano), Octinoxate
Effective against all types of waves. Waterproof, photostable. I didn't like nanoparticles and phenoxyethanol. Octisalate, octinoxate may cause allergies. Unscented.
6.SanosanSun protectionmilk SPF 50,With
Security: 3
Efficiency: 4
Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Octisalate, Titanium Dioxide (nano), Insulizol
This cream is also recommended from birth, but it is harmful for children under 6 months to be exposed to the active sun. The composition of Sanskrins is better here; they cover all types of rays. Titanium dioxide in nano form. There is no fragrance and there are antioxidants, panthenol. But the basic composition was disappointing. It contains the unsafe preservative phenoxyethanol and the highly allergenic preservative methylisothiazolinone. Octisalate can also cause allergies.
7. Floresan Africa kidscream
Security: 2
Efficiency: 4
Octisalate, Oxybenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
The most unsafe composition discussed here. In general, it protects well from ultraviolet radiation. But. Oxybenzone causes photoallergic reactions, penetrates well into the skin, and can exhibit hormone-like activity. Fragrance. Panthenol and antioxidants are present. I don't recommend it.
And finally, let's consider popular means, not included in previous categories .
- This is an organic sun cream Levrana sun cream SPF 50, which has shown excellent safety and effectiveness ratings.
- Luxury brand LANCASTER Sun for KidsSPF 50
and three domestic Sanskrins:
- My sunshine SPF50
- My sunshine SPF 30
- Our mother
- The best among all 18 sun creams we reviewed is Levrana sun creamSPF 50. However, it contains many essential oils that allergy sufferers need to pay attention to.
- Luxury Lancaster reliably protects against ultraviolet radiation, but the safety of the composition leaves much to be desired.
- Domestic funds did not please anyone good composition, nor effective UV protection.
- Cream Our Mom with a pseudo-natural composition showed the worst results in this group.
- Levrana sun cream SPF 50 (contains essential oils, caution for allergy sufferers)
- Lancaster provides good protection, so it can also be used if there is no other choice. (LANCASTER Sun for Kids cream SPF 50, from 3 years old)
We do not recommend sunscreen products from Russian manufacturers.
1. Levrana sun cream SPF 50.
Safety rating: 5
Efficiency rating: 5
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Excellent effective protection against all types of rays. No chemical filter will provide as much UVA protection as zinc oxide. Physical filters do not penetrate the skin (non-nano). The base is safe, but there are a lot of oils; allergy sufferers need to read the ingredients. Essential oil tea tree may cause photoallergic reactions.
2. LANCASTER Sun for KidscreamSPF 50With 3 X years.
Safety rating: 3
Efficiency rating: 5
Octocrylene, Octisalate, Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide (nano), Insulizol, Tinosorb S, Octinoxate
I had great hopes for the Lancaster. It turned out to be effective in terms of protection, but I was not very pleased with the base. The filters block all types of rays, which is very good. Photostable, waterproof. And again nano-titanium dioxide. In addition, it is not clear why there are a lot of citrus extracts (which can cause photoallergic reactions) and coffee in children's sun cream. Phenoxyethanol, fragrance. It is very good that it protects against infrared radiation, contains panthenol and antioxidants. Octisalate and octinoxate may cause allergies.
3. OursMotherchildren'ssunscreencream SPF 30,from 1.5years.
Safety rating: 3
Efficiency rating: 3
Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide, Juvinul Aplus
The manufacturers of this cream claim that this cream contains natural filters. What did they mean? Mineral? Natural? Titanium dioxide? Well, any cream stuffed with chemicals can boast of this) The composition of the filters is also surprising: octinoxate is usually stabilized by tinosorb, but here it is not included in the composition. The claimed protection against UVA is incomplete (Uvinul Aplus - UVA2). In addition, it contains many extracts that, in combination with the sun and a photounstable filter, it is unknown how they will affect the skin. Therefore, despite the natural-looking composition, I do not recommend it. Octinoxate may cause allergies.
4. Sun protectioncreamMySun SPF 30,from 3months
Safety rating: 3
Efficiency rating: 4
Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Insulizol, Juvinul Aplus
This cream has good photoprotection. But the composition of the base!! This cream is marketed from 3 months, but it contains propylparaben, phenoskiethanol, methylisothiazolinone, and fragrance. I usually have nothing against methylparaben, it is considered safe (which cannot be said about propylparaben), but when applied to the skin it can interact with UVB rays and accelerate skin aging. There is no point in writing about vitamin E. I would not buy this cream for my child.
5. Sun protectioncreamMySun s SPF pf 50,from 1of the year.
Safety rating: 3
Efficiency rating: 4
Octocrylene, Titanium Dioxide, Juvinul Aplus, Avobenzone, Insulizol
Same as the previous one.
The article was written jointly with dermatologist Nina Sergeeva.
Many people consider creams with SPF 50 to be excessive protection that prevents them from getting a long-awaited tan, and they refuse to use them. And completely in vain. From photoaging, thinning, hyperpigmentation, and even worse (for example,) the skin is most effectively protected by “fifty”. Let's find out how such funds work, what advantages they have and who needs them in the first place.
You need to renew your SPF cream every two hours. © iStock
What does the SPF 50 mark on a bottle of cream mean?
The abbreviation SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, that is, “sun protection factor.” And the number 50 is a protection level that shows how effectively SPF protects the skin from UVB sun rays. Without protection, the skin of an adult can burn within 15–20 minutes of exposure to the sun; the skin of a child can burn three times faster.
The protection is weakened due to the fact that we usually apply 2-3 times less cream than recommended.
There are three types of solar radiation.
- 1
UVA rays have a length of 320-400 nm, penetrate through clouds, glass and epidermis. These rays reach the cells of the dermis and, although their effects are painless, cause enormous damage: they provoke the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer.
- 2
UVB rays have a length of 290-320 nm, some of them are retained by clouds and glass, they do not penetrate deep into the skin - they are retained at the level of the epidermis. That is why this type of radiation is responsible for tanning. And it also causes sunburn. By the way, tanning is nothing more than a protective reaction of the skin to damage.
- 3
UVC rays- the most dangerous ones, blocked by the ozone layer of the atmosphere (that’s why ozone holes are so dangerous).
Remember that SPF only protects against UVB radiation, so the packaging of the sunscreen should have a special mark on protection against UVA rays.
The option of protection against UVA rays is indicated by special markings:
Differences between SPF 50 and lower values
According to the American Skin Cancer Association, SPF 50 protects against 98% of rays. For comparison: products with SPF 30 can protect from 97%, with SPF 15 - from 93%. It may seem that the difference is not critical, but for people with photosensitivity () or those who are predisposed to cancer (oncology in the past or in close relatives), it is very noticeable.
When choosing sun cream, focus on your phototype. © iStock
First of all, creams with a protection factor of SPF 50 are necessary for children, as well as representatives of phototypes 1, 2, 3.
- 1
To the first phototype(based on a table developed by the American scientist Thomas Fitzpatrick) include people with milky white freckled skin, blond or red hair and light eyes.
- 2
To the second- people with light skin, blond hair and blond or brown hair.
- 3
By the third- people with dark skin, dark brown or light brown hair, brown or light eyes.
- 4
Representatives of the remaining three phototypes(swarthy and dark-skinned people with black hair and dark eyes) SPF 50 is useful when vacationing in hot countries.
The SPF factor only protects against UVB rays. © iStock
Which sunscreen with SPF 50 is better to choose?
When choosing a sunscreen, focus on several factors:
Sun filter type
This is another parameter that must be taken into account when choosing a Sanskrin.
Physical (inorganic, mineral) filters
These include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which reflect the sun's rays like a mirror.
Chemical (organic) filters
There are many filters of this type, among them are avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, etc., they absorb the sun's rays.
Comparison table of mineral and chemical filters
| Mineral screens | Chemical filters | |
| compound | inert, opaque, insoluble powders with high coverage | soluble synthetic molecules with double chains |
| how they work | reflect and scatter rays | based on the principle of selective absorption |
| advantages |
good tolerability, long-lasting action, photostability |
UVA protection, good cosmetic properties, targeted action, can be combined with other products |
| flaws |
poor protection from UVA rays, destruction when heated, occlusive effect, lack of cosmetic properties |
relative safety and relative photostability |
Additional components included
In addition to filters, sunscreen formulas contain substances intended for skin care.
How to use it correctly
Regarding the use of creams with SPF, the main requirements are not to use expired products and renew them on the skin in a timely manner. Details below.
Best before date
It is indicated on the packaging. On the packaging of products produced in Europe, you can see the expiration date marking in accordance with European legislation - an image of a jar with an open lid and a number from 6 to 12, which indicates the number of months during which it is permissible to use the product after opening the package.
As a rule, sunscreen cosmetics have a short shelf life. And if you take the product with you to the beach - even less, since under the influence of the sun the formula can transform and lose its protective properties. The universal rule for using creams with SPF is not to use them for more than one season.
Rules of application
Here are the most common questions asked to experts.
- 1
When to apply? It is recommended to apply face cream with SPF to the skin 20-30 minutes before going outside - this time is enough for the filters of the product to be evenly distributed.
- 2
In what quantity? The recommended rate is 2 ml of product per 1 square centimeter of skin. Thus, for the face you will need a teaspoon volume, and for the body you may need up to 3 tablespoons of the product, depending on the area of application. This is quite a lot and most people use double it less product than needed. As a result, the protection turns out to be unreliable. The exception is sunscreen sprays. Their texture is the most economical.
- 3
How often to update? During the day, the cream wears off and the protection weakens. To prevent this from happening, renew the product every 1.5–2 hours if you are outside.
Rating of the best products with SPF 50
Our selection includes ten sunscreens with SPF 50 intended for different types and skin needs - the best, according to the site's editors.
For sensitive skin
Sunscreen fluid Sheer Mineral UV Defense, SPF 50, SkinCeuticals contains only mineral filters, recommended after aesthetic procedures.
Sunscreen for face and body “Expert Protection”, SPF 50+, Garnier Designed for fair skin, especially sun sensitive, suitable for face and body.
Sunscreen for face and eye area Anthelios Shaka fluid spf 50+, La Roche-Posay reliably protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, is resistant to water and sweat, combined with a very light (and invisible on the skin) innovative texture. Shake before use. Can be used in the city and on the beach.
For oily skin
Mattifying emulsion Dry Touch Capital Soleil, SPF 50+, Vichy absorbs quickly and does not leave greasy shine. Contains 4 sunscreens, minerals and vitamin E.
The legendary French brand Clarins never ceases to delight its fans! And in addition to wonderful caring cosmetics and no less wonderful decorative cosmetics they are launching a bright and sunny line of sunscreens for the face and body, Solaire Lait-Fluide, with varying levels of SPF protection. I liked the light, but at the same time very reliable spray milk Spray Solaire Lait-Fluide SPF 50, which is what my review will be about today. Welcome to cat.
Everyone good day And Have a good mood) If you looked at my post, it means you care about protecting your skin.
Let me start with myself, my skin belongs to phototype II: fair-skinned European.
Leather: light; freckles are present in small quantities.
Hair: light brown.
Eyes: gray-blue.
Reaction to ultraviolet light: high photosensitivity. Burns occur easily. The tan does not apply well and is unstable.
With my fair skin, I simply have no chance of tanning or staying in the sun for long periods of time without sunscreen. Therefore, every time I go out into the open sun, I use SPF protection of at least 30+. This summer I liked the universal spray milk Sun Care Milk-Lotion Spray SPF 50 from Clarins and only after I was able to test it during this summer, I decided to write this review.
I specifically saved the box to show what its format looks like. Yellow-orange packaging, on the outside there is the Clarins logo, the name of the product, a protection factor of 50+ is indicated, and the filters from which the milk protects are also presented - UVA/UVB.
Tube, round, smooth, volume 150 ml. The dispenser is in a spray format, presses smoothly, does not clog, and distributes the product neatly. Its texture is liquid milk, white, smells pleasant, the aroma is unobtrusive. Easily absorbed and does not leave behind white streaks. To my great surprise, with its slightly greasy texture, it does not stain clothes or swimsuit at all. I tested it on both a white and a black swimsuit) The milk is comfortable to apply not only on the body, but also on the face, during the entire time of use I never had the desire to wash it off. Because after absorption, it is not felt at all on the skin.
My sensitive skin The face took it just fine, without irritation or allergic reactions. As I already said, the milk has a very light texture, not like butter or thick cream. Its water-repellent ability is weak, so after bathing I always tried to reapply the milk on both my face and body. Each time, staying in the sun for no more than two hours, I received a beautiful and even shade of tan, which then did not turn red and did not show up on me in the form of burns, but simply gradually darkened and turned into a golden shade. As a result, all my friends who met me on the street cordially noted my “beautiful sea tan.”
In general, I was completely satisfied with Spray Solaire Lait-Fluide SPF 50 from Clarins, because it not only carefully cares for the skin, but also copes well with its main task - protecting the skin from sunburn. Thank you all) Thank you for stopping by, I wish you all a beautiful and long-lasting tan, without harm to the skin!
Product price excluding discount: 2050 rub. I bought it at a discount for 1050 rubles.
Term of use: 3 months.
Protective tanning milk. Protection factor 50 with coconut oil 100 ml.
High degree of protection. Waterproof product. UV protection type A and B.
Non-greasy texture.
The product has passed dermatological control
Directions for use: Apply the product in a volume of 6 tsp. on all exposed areas of the body.
Precautionary measures:
Do not reduce the specified value. This may reduce the effectiveness of protection. Reapply regularly to maintain protection, particularly after water procedures, rubbing with a towel or sweating. It is not recommended to stay in the sun during peak hours. solar activity and prolonged exposure to the sun, even if the product is applied. IN otherwise Provide adequate protection from sunlight. It is not recommended for newborns and small children to be exposed to direct sunlight. Use sunscreen that matches your skin phototype. Avoid contact with eyes. Apply only to intact skin. Prolonged and repeated exposure to ultraviolet rays poses health risks. Not intended for children under 6 years of age.
Only for body skin.
Storage conditions: Store in a dry place at room temperature.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ceteareth-20, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Triacontanyl Pvp, Glycine Soja Oil, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cetearyl Al cohol , Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceteareth-12, Dimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Nylon-10/10, Cyclohexasiloxane, Carbomer, Ethylparaben, Triethanolamine, Bis- Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Trimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione, Tetrasodium Edta.
