The sun is the source of life and is key to our development. It’s an undeniable source of pleasure, good humour and joy for our mental and physical health. One look at your weather app in the morning and you know if your day is going to start well (or not)! The term “seasonal affective disorder” is even used when the sun becomes scarce in winter. The sun generates the production of feel-good hormones, and it also guarantees our chronobiological balance: our alternating sleep-wake cycles. A life without sun is impossible. But the number one benefit of the sun, essential to life, is the synthesis of vitamin D through the action of UVB. A few minutes of facial exposure a day is enough to produce the necessary amount of Vitamin D, which allows calcium to be absorbed by the digestive tract and boosts our immune system, protecting us from infections and surrounding microbes.
The sun also has therapeutic properties. Psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema are just some of the skin diseases that are improved by the sun because of the anti-inflammatory effect induced by the sun's radiation.
Sunshine in moderation
The sun can also have negative effects on the skin, due to UVA and UVB radiation:
Sunburn,
skin ageing
brown sunspots
melanoma
- UVA: these very penetrating rays alter the elastic fibres of the skin and are responsible for premature skin ageing which shows up especially as brown sunspots. These rays are also involved in the development of certain skin cancers and melanomas.
- UVB rays stimulate melanin, causing a tan to appear within 48 hours. These rays are responsible for "sunburns" and premature skin ageing in the longer term, and can also trigger the development of certain skin cancers.
The benefits and damage that the sun does to the skin
How to protect your skin from the sun effectively
To make the most of the sun and enjoy its benefits with peace of mind, good protection is essential. Unsurprisingly, clothing remains the safest form of protection. And if you’re going to be exposed to the sun, it’s essential to protect your skin with a good sun cream, that has a high factor to filter out UVA and UVB rays.
FRIENDLY, EXPERT ADVICE
The right things to do to enjoy the sun (without burning):
• Don’t expose babies and young children to direct sunlight.
• Don’t go out in the sun during the hottest hours of the day, i.e. from 11am to 4pm.
• Wear appropriate clothing protection (t-shirt, sunglasses, hat, etc.).
• Don’t stay in the sun for too long, even if you're wearing a sun cream product.
• Reapply your sun cream frequently to maintain protection, especially after sweating, swimming or towel drying.
• Be careful: If you don't use the recommended amount of product, you significantly reduce the level of protection.
OUR SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT OUR FUTURE
Eau Thermale Avène skin care products designed to protect the skin and respect the oceans
