With a very wide variety of products offered in stores or pharmacies, it is not always easy to find your way around when choosing sunscreen. We help you sort it out.
For sunscreen, do not hesitate to go out under cover. “These days, the products offered for sale are generally of good quality”, indicates dermatologist Christophe Bedane, member of the French Society of Dermatology (SFD).
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And according to the specialist, it is better to apply a good layer of cream with index 30 rather than applying 50 in less quantity and thinking that it would come to the same thing. Which is not the case.
Besides, what do these numbers mean? “For an index of 50, this means that it takes 50 times longer to have the same biological effect of the sun on the skin.” As you will have understood, the more you use a cream with a low index, the more you have to regularly renew the application.
But regardless of the type of protection, it is strongly recommended to go gradually in terms of exposure to the sun. That is to say: 20 to 30 minutes the first days of vacation before being able to play extra time.
Recommended mineral filters for children
Whether in spray, or more traditional gel, the quality remains the same. So it’s up to individual preferences. In general, the spray will be favoured, for a question of comfort, when it is necessary to cover the hairy areas of the body.
“All the products have a good persistence, continues the doctor. That is to say that after swimming, the cream remains on the skin but it is preferable to put it back anyway.”
Regarding children, it is recommended to avoid chemical filters to guard against the risk of allergy. As far as possible, therefore, prioritize mineral screens (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) in order to avoid sunburn.