Protecting yourself against ultraviolet (UV) radiation with sunscreen is essential, but not sufficient. To manage to limit the damage of the sun on our skin, it is also necessary to use an after-sun milk. The magazine 60 Millions consommateurs, in its latest special issue, reveals what the best after-sun care is. Here are their top 3.
In summer, the skin is particularly exposed to UV rays. However, these can weaken its natural protection (the hydrolipidic film). To avoid skin injuries, experts advise wearing covering clothes, a hat and sunglasses, as well as regularly applying sunscreen with a sufficient protection factor, as well as a milk afterwards. -sun to repair the skin.
“Our body can only withstand a limited amount of UV throughout its life”
When exposed to the sun, your epidermis is attacked. If sunscreen protects your skin, only after-sun can soothe, hydrate and nourish it. The proper routine to properly preserve your skin in summer must therefore include three stages: prepare, protect and repair. Pr. Christophe Bedane, head of the dermatology department at the Limoges University Hospital, told 60 million consumers that before the holidays, to better protect your skin, it is better to avoid mechanical exfoliation (with a horsehair glove, for example). ) or chemical (creams based on acids such as AHAs or BHAs): ” This removes a protective layer from the epidermis and therefore increases UV penetration into the skin. “. It also warns of the risks of overexposure to the sun: ” Our body can only withstand a limited amount of UV throughout its life.. “. He specifies that beyond that, the risks of premature aging and especially of skin cancer increase considerably.
The right reflexes to protect your skin
It should be taken into account that only specialized after-sun products repair the skin and prolong the tan. They are enriched with repairing and anti-oxidant active ingredients, they also contain a moisturizing and lipid-replenishing base. Enough to allow the epidermis to recover more quickly and limit damage at the cellular level.
Good to know: after-sun care should always be applied to clean skin. Even if you rinse with clean water after swimming, there are still residues of sunscreen, perspiration, salt or sand on the skin. It is advisable to go in the shower with a cleansing product containing a fatty base (or a shower oil), in order to preserve the stratum corneum from dehydration. Then we dry ourselves by dabbing the skin with a towel, without rubbing. You can then apply an after-sun care.
The magazine 60 Millions de consommateurs has analyzed 6 after-sun care products, here are their top 3
BIOLANE Baby-child after-sun milk
Opinion of 60 million consumers: “It is an emulsion of water and paraffin, a fatty substance derived from petroleum appreciated by dermatologists against burns or skin dryness. It also contains shea butter and sunflower oil to nourish and hydrate the skin, and glycyrrhetinic acid to reduce inflammation. But it uses phenoxyethanol, potentially allergenic, as well as a synthetic polymer, ethoxylates and dimethicone, weakly biodegradable “.
CAUDALIE Vinosun Protect After-sun repairing milk
Opinion of 60 million consumers: “Many good points in the composition of this after-sun milk. We appreciate its natural ingredients such as grape water, coconut oil or aloe leaf powder. Containing glycerin, fatty substances and squalane, derived from olive oil, this product helps to moisturize and re-grease skin damaged by heat and UV rays. Note the presence of four allergens from the perfume included in its formulation “.
NIVEA Hydrating After Sun
Opinions of 60 million consumers : “This after-sun milk has several beneficial ingredients for the skin such as aloe vera, glycerin and hyaluronic acid. However, its label mentions the presence of phenoxyethanol, a substance likely to cause allergic reactions. At the end of the list, therefore in low concentration, there is also dimethicone, a silicone without risk to health but which is slowly eliminated in the environment. “.
Find the special issue of 60 million consumers on newsstands from July 13, 2023