All posts tagged: sunscreen

How sunscreen protects skin from damage – but only when it is used correctly

How sunscreen protects skin from damage – but only when it is used correctly

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Not so long ago, people like my Aunt Muriel thought of sunburn as a necessary evil on the way to a “good base tan.” She used to slather on the baby oil while using a large reflector to bake away. Aunt Muriel’s mantra when the inevitable burn and peel appeared: Beauty has its price. Was she ever right about that price – but it was a lot higher than any of us at the time recognized. What sun addicts didn’t know then was that we were setting our skin up for damage to its structural proteins and DNA. Hello, wrinkles, liver spots and cancers. No matter where your complexion falls on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type scale, ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun or tanning beds will damage your skin. Today, recognition of the risks posed by UV rays has motivated scientists, …

What is the ‘Sunscreen Sandwich’? The viral SPF layering trend explained

What is the ‘Sunscreen Sandwich’? The viral SPF layering trend explained

Published by Daniella Wilson

Social media beauty trends can be a mixed bag; sometimes clever, sometimes questionable. But the viral ‘Sunscreen Sandwich’ gets one thing absolutely right; anything that encourages better sun protection is worth paying attention to. And it’s needed, considering only one in six Brits wear SPF daily while a third rely on makeup or moisturiser with SPF instead of a dedicated sunscreen according to a 2026 OnePoll survey. Let’s be clear; makeup with SPF alone is not enough, but used as part of a well-layered routine it can play an excellent supporting role. The ‘sunscreen sandwich’ is all about strategic layering; combining skincare, sunscreen and makeup to maximise both protection and hydration. Like any good sandwich, it comes down to quality ingredients, and the order you stack them.   Order of the day   Is an SPF sandwich the key to better skin? “The ideal ‘sandwich’ involves applying your active serums first, followed by a moisturiser and finishing with a generous layer of sunscreen,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. “Sunscreen (two finger lengths) must always …

Natural sunscreen found in fish eggs can be made by E. coli factories

Natural sunscreen found in fish eggs can be made by E. coli factories

Published by skeptic

Zebrafish produce the natural sun-blocking chemical gadusol WILDLIFE GmbH / Alamy A compound that protects transparent fish eggs from the sun’s rays has been produced in the lab by genetically altering bacteria to create so-called microbial cell factories. Easier production of gadusol brings the chemical one step closer to use as a more eco-friendly, transparent sunscreen for humans. Gadusol is found in the eggs of zebrafish, salmon and sturgeon, as well as coral, where it protects organisms from ultraviolet damage. But it’s only found in small quantities so extracting it from organisms for use as a sunscreen is impractical. A team led by Ping Zhang at Jiangnan University, China, inserted genes from zebrafish into the bacterium Escherichia coli to give it the enzymes needed to synthesise gadusol. Then, by using small RNA molecules to dial up gadusol production in the bacteria and tweaking their growing conditions, they increased the yield by nearly 93 times, from 45.2 milligrams per litre of liquid growth medium to 4.2 grams per litre. In experiments, gadusol displayed antioxidant properties comparable …

Your next sunscreen could be made from E. coli

Your next sunscreen could be made from E. coli

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Let’s face it, sunscreen is important to our health, but can really be a drag. Some feel greasy, they wear off after only two hours, and finding the right one can feel like a game of whack-a-mole. Certain ingredients can also pollute the planet’s critical coral reefs, so scientists around the world are looking to nature to create new formulas. Pollen could serve as an eco-friendly sunscreen solution, but there could be an even smaller source—bacteria. Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli, may help create an ultra violet (UV) compound that can be used in sunscreens. The findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal Trends in Biotechnology. To survive relentless sunlight in the open ocean, fish can make their own natural sunscreen with a UV-protective compound called gadusol. This rare molecular compound is found in the eggs of several fish species, but is scarce elsewhere in nature and not easy, efficient, or environmentally friendly …

Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen: Which is best for your skin?

Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen: Which is best for your skin?

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Once considered a holiday essential, sunscreen has firmly established itself as a non-negotiable component of daily skincare. Yet, as public awareness of SPF grows, navigating the nuances between mineral and chemical formulas can often feel perplexing. Experts are now clarifying the fundamental distinctions between these two types of SPF, offering guidance on how to best protect skin and prevent premature ageing. At their core, mineral and chemical sunscreens employ entirely different mechanisms to shield the skin. Abi Cleeve, a skincare expert and managing director of Ultrasun, explains: “Chemical filters work by absorbing UVA and UVB rays so that your skin cells don’t have to.” In contrast, “Mineral – or physical – filters work differently, creating a barrier on the skin so that UV rays …

11 hacks to get young children to wear sunscreen – and why it’s important

11 hacks to get young children to wear sunscreen – and why it’s important

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Getting children to wear sunscreen can sometimes feel like an uphill struggle when it triggers irritating temper tantrums, so turning it into a positive, enjoyable habit can make a big difference. Ahead of Melanoma Awareness Month (May), we spoke to some experts who highlighted the importance of keeping children properly protected from the sun. “Children’s skin is significantly more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin. The outer barrier isn’t fully developed, which means ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates more easily and can cause damage at a deeper cellular level,” explains Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics. “What many people don’t realise is that a proportion of lifetime sun damage actually occurs before the age of 18. “Even a handful of serious sunburns in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, later in life.” Dr Tina Tian, …

14 Best Sunscreen Picks, According to GQ Editors in 2026

14 Best Sunscreen Picks, According to GQ Editors in 2026

Published by Jenni Sidey

Finding the best sunscreen doesn’t have to be a last-minute affair: Believe it or not, the best way to pick an SPF is not to go to the store five minutes before you head to the beach and grab whatever is on sale on the end cap (though dermatologists and grooming editors would like to pause and give you an A for effort). With a little forethought, you can actually get sun protection that you look forward to slathering on: mousses that are lighter than air, lotions that smell like a piña colada, and sprays that go on without leaving you feeling even a little bit greasy. Ahead, here are the SPFs that are actually worth thinking about ahead of time and that will leave your skin protected and sun-ready for whatever is ahead. The Best Body Sunscreen, According to GQ Best Overall Coola Coola Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Read More Best Chemical SPF Lotion La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 Read More Best SPF Mousse Supergoop! The Mousse SPF 50 Read …

This Buttery Sunscreen Is a Staple in My Daily Routine

This Buttery Sunscreen Is a Staple in My Daily Routine

Published by Jenni Sidey

There’s no denying that physical sunscreens—the ones that tap zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as their active ingredient—have gotten better and better as summers go by. And yet, even the best of them can still leave a somewhat chalky residue on skin that combats the sunniest months’ envied glow. Enter Good Weather Skin The One Daily Sun Cream, $48, an SPF 30, a mineral formula that launched last spring and has since become a staple in my daily routine (and many other editors as well). The superior ingredients in this SPF—alongside its slightly golden tint—help it to stand apart from the rest of the solar protection system. After a year of wearing it, I’ve clocked enough hours under the sun to give this formula its first solid performance review, so read on if you’re on the hunt for your daily SPF. And while you’re at it, why not go ahead and check out a handful of the other formulas that we love. Good Weather Skin The One Daily Sun Cream (SPF 30) High-quality SPF with …

American Sunscreen Is About to Get So Much Better

American Sunscreen Is About to Get So Much Better

Published by Jenni Sidey

Ask any dermatologist to name their one non-negotiable skincare product and the answer is almost always the same: sunscreen. The problem? Most Americans still don’t use it consistently. According to some reports, a mere third of adults in the United States routinely apply sunscreen, and women are almost twice as likely to do so compared to men. Knowledge gaps around sun safety are likely one culprit. But outdated, chalky formulas may also be to blame. There may finally be hope on the formula front, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently proposed adding bemotrizinol (aka Tinosorb S, or BEMT) as a permitted active ingredient for use in sunscreens. Here’s why it’s a big deal for consumers, derms, and the American sunscreen market alike. What is bemotrizinol? Bemotrizinol is a chemical filter that provides broad-spectrum protection, meaning it shields against both UVA and UVB rays. (The former is associated with skin aging and long-term skin cancer risk, while the latter is responsible for sunburn.) The ingredient has long been a staple in sunscreens across Europe, …

what sunscreen ads reveal about beauty ideals and power

what sunscreen ads reveal about beauty ideals and power

Published by Sam Flores

In the depths of winter, sunscreen might not be top of many people’s shopping lists. Yet it remains a staple in most households, and many of us are encouraged to use it year-round. But sunscreen’s history reveals more than just protection from the sun. For decades, sunscreen advertising has shaped beauty ideals, dictated how women’s bodies should look and reinforced social norms. Our recent study analyses historical and contemporary advertising campaigns and shows how these messages have endured, continuing to influence ideas about gender, health and personal responsibility. These messages are not only about safety or wellbeing, but about staying youthful, attractive and socially acceptable. The early 20th century saw an increase in recreational sun exposure. Entrepreneurs quickly seized the opportunity, producing creams and oils that promised a golden tan without the burn. From the start, these products were tied to female beauty and sexual appeal. Nivea ad, June 1955: ‘Protect yourself…’ Svenska Dagbladet Early ads often showed young, white women in swimsuits, lounging on beaches or posing suggestively behind deckchairs or foliage. The language …