Plusolina is a complex of Italian innovation and research that helps the skin protect itself from the sun, ensuring an even and natural tan, safe from skin problems. Plusolina is made up of a mix of vegetable oils: rice bran oil, karanja oil, cotton oil, and vitamin E. All of natural origin, and thanks to the booster effect of SKINIUS formulas, they help protect the skin from the negative effects of solar radiation.
Vitamin E completes the Plusolina complex, ensuring an antioxidant action that can be supported in preparation for holidays by a supplement containing copper and maritime pine. When the skin is more sensitive and vulnerable to the sun, it is useful to start a treatment with antioxidant supplements all year round.
We know that skin should always be protected from the sun, even all year round and not just in summer. For this reason, research has made great strides in formulating more effective, innovative, and environmentally friendly sun protection products. But how can we choose the most suitable sunscreen for our skin type? We need to start with our phototype and destination, and understand what SPF means. Particular attention should be paid to total protection sunscreen: this is, in fact, legally incorrect information (also banned by European legislative provisions). Let's see why.
What is a sun protection factor?
6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 50 are not lottery numbers, but the most common protection factors we can find on a sunscreen package. The Sun Protection Factor indicates the level of protection of a sun product against UVB rays and its ability to delay the appearance of erythema. Values 30 and 50 are those usually recommended by dermatologists to ensure safer sun exposure for the skin. European guidelines also set 50 SPF as the maximum "declarable" value on sunscreen: this is determined by clinical tests used to establish the level of sun protection.
Does 100 sun protection exist?
It is precisely the clinical tests used to determine the SPF of a sunscreen that establish how it is not possible to speak of total sun protection or sunscreen with 100 protection. Why? It's simple: SPF is calculated through tests on voluntary candidates to whom sunscreen is applied to a specific skin area. Subsequently, the subject is exposed to artificial light that simulates solar radiation, and at this point, the time it takes for erythema to appear on unprotected skin is observed, comparing it to that of unprotected skin.
A practical example: if during the test, the volunteer develops erythema on unprotected skin after 12 minutes, while on protected skin the erythema appears after 6 hours (360 minutes), dividing 360 minutes by 12 minutes will result in '30', which corresponds to the SPF value of the tested product. In this sense, the same volunteer to whom a sunscreen product with a hypothetical "SPF 100" would be applied would have to extend the clinical test for 20 hours, which is unthinkable from both a practical and ethical point of view.
Is 50 SPF sunscreen sufficient?
A 50 SPF sunscreen or a 30 SPF sunscreen is more than sufficient for a completely relaxed day at the beach. Obviously, some small precautions should also be followed, such as choosing a sun product with an SPF suitable for your phototype, applying it generously and frequently, especially after swimming and towel use, and avoiding direct sun exposure during the central hours of the day, as well as prolonged exposure.
How to choose facial sunscreen based on phototype?
In the case of phototype I or II (the lightest ones), it is absolutely necessary to apply a 50 SPF sunscreen. When the skin is light and delicate, it may take longer to produce melanin and may be prone to sunburn and sun erythema. A good 50 SPF sunscreen will still allow the skin to tan gradually, allowing for a transition from high sun protection to SPF30 in the last days of vacation. Those with a darker complexion can instead choose a protective factor of 30 or less, but always with extreme caution and if the skin is already tanned.
We must then distinguish between face and body sunscreens. Facial skin is more vulnerable than body skin, also due to sun exposure 365 days a year and the continuous attack by external factors such as temperature fluctuations and smog. Body skin, on the other hand, is thicker and if properly hydrated all year round, it can be more resistant to UV rays. A high protection 50 SPF sunscreen is therefore suggested for the face, while for the body, creams or SPF30 sun sprays can also be applied.
What are the safest filters for skin and the environment?
The latest generation of sunscreens also contains many non-mineral filters, more commonly known as chemical filters. Chemical filters absorb ultraviolet rays themselves instead of the skin, thus reducing the power of UV rays on the skin. In addition to being safer for humans, they are more eco-sustainable than physical filters. The new sunscreen formulations you find in pharmacies contain a minimal concentration of filters that nonetheless guarantee maximum protection, thanks to a boosting effect, due to the choice of and inclusion of natural substances derived from sustainable and renewable sources, with a high percentage of biodegradability.