Altruist uses both physical and chemical filters to achieve optimum protection. The chemicals in Altruist Sunscreen ensure it works well and feels great on the skin and have been very thoroughly assessed by SCCS (the European cosmetics safety organisation).
Yes, though if (SPF 30 and above) used correctly (applied in sufficient quantity and frequency) it is extremely unlikely.
No sunscreen actually blocks out all UV light, so it is theoretically possible if one had no natural protection from melanin (like those with albinism) and were outdoors from dawn to dusk in the hottest conditions by water (added reflected UV). What is more likely is that insufficient has been applied, not enough time has been given for it to soak in before going into the water and an extended time has been then spent in the water with out reapplication straight after toweling.
Try and avoid the sun between 11am – 3pm, when the sun is strongest.
Wear clothes, a broad rimmed hat and sun glasses.
Never use sun beds – they have been classified as carcinogenic by WHO (The World Health Organisation).
Vitamin D is essential for bone health and increasingly is suspected to play a role in other health aspects, too. It is very efficiently made in the skin when exposed to UVB – just 15 minutes of exposure on the arms 3 times a week in the summer is sufficient to have enough. There is no benefit in trying to get more as the body does not store it. It is not usually in high enough concentrations in food, so the best bet is to take a supplement. The NHS recommend 10 mcg a day. This is far safer than trying to obtain it from sun exposure.
It has been shown that the regular use of sunscreen can reduce the incidence of skin cancer – in particular melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Some population studies have shown that people who have used sunscreens seem to have a higher incidence of skin cancer. However, this tends to be the lower SPFs (below 15) and the likelihood is that the creams were used to aid tanning and thus people were deliberately seeking the sun. One Norwegian study showed that people who had used sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater on one occasion had a lower incidence of skin cancer.
The prevention of skin cancer (and skin ageing) trumps the unproven claims of harm from sunscreen.
The concentration is always below 5 % in our formulations for sensory reasons. It is allowed up to 14,6 % (10 % of the acids equivalent). According to SCCS (the European cosmetics safety organisation) it is safe and highly studied (toxicologically) and should not be denigrated by rumour
Still the most important thing is to ensure that there is protection cross the UVA and UVB radiation spectrum. Thus a high level of UVA protection, in proportion with the SPF (UVB protection) is important.
The newest filter registered in the EU is Tinosorb A2B, which is in Altruist Sunscreen, this helps to ensure a more complete protection across the UV spectrum as there used to be a gap between the UVA and B peaks of absorption in sunscreens.
Nano technology is also a great innovation. Although it sounds small, in UV filters terms this actually means big! This means that they can sit on the surface of the skin and less sunscreen is actually absorbed into the skin.
By creating Altruist we have tried to solve this problem. Sunscreens need to be easy to apply, leave no residue and feel very much like a moisturising cream. Also, they need to be affordable, so they can be applied liberally. Personally, I use Altruist SPF30 as my post shave moisturiser and then extend the application to cover my ears and rest of face, too. this is what I advise my patients to do, too
Many sunscreens, especially those that are extra water resistant, tend to be very oily; this is what gives the shine and increases the risk of spots. I advise people to use a sunscreen that is labelled “non-comedogenic” or “oil free,” this means that it tends not to cause spots. Again this was an important element in the development of Altruist – that it should be able to be used by those on treatments for acne, in particular isotretinoi
Tolerability around the eyes is important for many people. Of course, sunscreen is not designed to be put into the eyes, but some people don’t seem to be able to tolerate anything around the eyes and in this instance wearing sun glasses is the only option. However, these people are actually very few. Feedback from many sports people was that they didn’t like sunscreen because it ran into their eyes when they sweated. Again this was something that I’ve been delighted with Altruist Susncreen – the feedback from both golfers and cyclists has been fantastic. they say that it doesn’t run into the eyes and sting.
Yes this is possible. Apply the sunscreen first and wait until it has been absorbed before applying make up. However, don’t forget to re-apply the sunscreen during the day to ensure full protection of the skin.