There are few topics that generate as much nonsense as sunscreen. Half of the internet claims you'll get skin cancer from your SPF, the other half claims you'll get skin cancer without it. We hear this confusion every week in the salon, so we're calmly explaining it here.
What determines if an SPF is right for you is actually quite simple: the factor, the type of filter, and what you're going to do that day.
The basics
What does the number actually mean?
SPF 30 blocks around 97% of UVB. SPF 50 blocks 98%. On paper, that doesn't seem like much, but SPF 50 lets through half as much UVB as SPF 30. For your face, that difference really adds up over the years, especially if you are prone to hyperpigmentation or fine lines.
What the factor does not tell you is anything about UVA. This is the radiation that penetrates deeper into your skin and causes aging. A good European SPF also protects against this, and you can recognize this by the UVA logo (the letters in a circle) on the packaging. If it's there, you're good to go.
In practice, our advice is usually: SPF 50 on your face, all year round. For your body, SPF 30 is sufficient on regular days, and use SPF 50 if you are outdoors all day or on the water.
The filters
Mineral or organic?
IK Skin Perfection
Sun Balance Face
IK Skin Perfection
Sun Balance Body
IK Skin Perfection
Mineral Sun Body
This is where TikTok often goes wrong. Mineral is portrayed as pure nature, organic (often called "chemical") as suspicious stuff. But the filters that caused those concerns were a handful of older ingredients that we don't use anyway. The modern organic filters in our sun line have been researched for years, are photostable, and in many cases offer a broader spectrum than mineral.
For your daily routine, we often recommend the Sun Balance Face SPF 50. It feels light, leaves no white cast, and filters out blue light in addition to UVA and UVB. With niacinamide and green tea, and prebiotically active thanks to Biome Oleoactif, so your microbiome won't take a hit.
Do you have skin that reacts quickly, suffer from rosacea or eczema, are you pregnant, or are you currently undergoing treatments like dermapen or fruit acids? Then the Mineral Sun Face SPF 50 is a wiser choice. 100% mineral, water-free, with a non-nano zinc complex that bears the COSMOS quality mark. No perfume, no organic filters. Nothing to hinder your recovering skin. And still no white cast, which used to be the major objection to mineral sunscreens.
For the body, the Sun Balance Body SPF 30 works as a spray that you actually dare to use: no butane, no alcohol-aerosol, and a white texture so you can see what you're doing.
If you're swimming or snorkeling in the sea, choose the Mineral Sun Body SPF 30. 99% natural, water-free, and coral-friendly enough not to cause damage where you take your beautiful vacation photos.
The practice
The real problem isn't in which product you choose
In the salon, we rarely see someone get sunburned because of the wrong SPF. We see people get sunburned because they applied one thin layer to their face in the morning and relied on it all day. Reapplying every two hours is not a marketing story; it's simply how it works. And reapply immediately after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
For on-the-go, over makeup, the Sun Glow Mist SPF 20 is the savior. A transparent mist with modern filters and inulin, which you can reapply in a few seconds without messing up your foundation. Important to note: the mist is for touch-ups, not for starting with. You lay your base in the morning.
For areas where people consistently forget to apply sunscreen (the nose, ears, parting in your hair), the Sun Stick SPF 50 is ideal. 100% mineral, no messy hands, and it fits in any bag.
The technique
A few things that really make a difference
For your face, you need two finger-lengths of cream. That's your entire index and middle finger fully covered. Almost everyone uses less, and with that, your SPF 50 practically drops to about a 10.
For your body, it comes down to about 7 teaspoons. Apply organic filters 20 to 30 minutes before going outside; mineral filters work immediately.
Did you stay out too long after all? Then the Aftersun is what you need in the evening. 100% natural and fragrance-free, it soothes and hydrates. Also great to use after a hot day, even if you haven't gotten sunburned.
From the inside out
And from within?
What you apply is half the work. The other half happens within your skin itself. From your thirties onwards, your body produces less collagen each year, and UV radiation accelerates this process. This is reflected in fine lines, thinning skin, and reduced elasticity.
Marine Collagen 13.000mg by The Swedish Glow is the treatment we use ourselves. The dosage is high enough to make a difference, and after a few weeks, you'll notice it in firmness and skin quality. Applying topically and building from within works better than either separately.
Not sure which SPF is right for you?
Then come in for a Reset Nice To Meet You. We'll examine your skin, ask about your daily routine, and then together we'll choose what works for your situation.
Bonus
A beautiful tan, without damage
The color you get from sunbathing is not a "healthy glow." It's your skin going into alarm mode to repair DNA damage. If you still want that warm tint, a self-tanner is simply the smarter route. No UV needed, no aging, but you still get the effect.
We work with Marc Inbane because, in short, it does what it promises. The color is natural instead of orange, and the scent is not that typical self-tanner cookie smell that puts people off.
For the body
For the body, the Natural Tanning Spray is the classic that made the brand famous. Quickly applied, even, and you'll see results within a few hours.
If you want more control and a creamier application, choose the Natural Tanning Mousse.
Work both in with the Powder Brush or Kabuki Brush for a streak-free finish, and exfoliate first with the Black Exfoliator so the tan adheres neatly.
For the face
For the face, the Hyaluronic Self-Tan Spray is lighter and provides extra hydration.
If you want something that glows immediately and slowly builds a tan: Perle de Soleil.
And for sunny days when you are outdoors anyway, the Crème Natural SPF 30 provides protection and a warm tint in one layer.
