What is SPF?

At Biotherm, we believe that healthy skin is the first step in overall wellness and, as experts in the science of skin exposure, we understand the importance of protecting skin from environmental factors that damage skin, especially sun. That's why today we're talking about SPF, an essential part of your skincare routine.

In case you’re wondering, SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor". It’s a number that indicates the level of protection a sunscreen offers against UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn. Read on to find out how sun protection factor works, what SPF you should use and how to apply it correctly.

How does sun protection factor (SPF) work?

Once you learn what SPF is, the next step is to know how it works on the skin. SPF acts as a shield that absorbs or reflects the sun's UVB rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin and causing damage. Imagine that your unprotected skin is like a white wall exposed to the sun. Over time, the wall heats up and discolors. SPF is like a layer of protective paint that reflects the sun's rays, keeping the wall cool and preventing damage.

What SPF should I use according to my skin type?

Choosing the right SPF depends on your skin type and how long you plan to be in the sun. In general, medium protection is recommended, which is an SPF of at least 30, for daily protection. However, if you have fair or sensitiveskin, it’s best to opt for SPF50 or higher.

When and how to apply sunscreen

Sun protection is not just for summer or days at the beach. UVB rays are present all year round, even on cloudy days. So it’s crucial to apply a generous amount of sunscreen daily as the last step in your skincare routine, before makeup.

What are the different SPF levels and what do they mean?

Now you know what SPF is, it's time to learn about the different types available. Sunscreens are classified according to their SPF, which indicates their degree of protection against UVB rays. Here is what SPF20, SPF30 and SPF50 mean:

SPF20

A sunscreen with SPF20 blocks out approximately 95% of UVB rays. It’s considered low protection and recommended for people with darker skin who tan easily.

SPF30

SPF30 blocks out around 97% of UVB rays. This offers medium protection and is suitable for most people under moderate sun exposure conditions.

SPF50

SPF50 blocks out approximately 98% of UVB rays. SPF50, which is high protection, is recommended for people with fair or sensitive skin, as well as during intense sun exposure.

Sunscreen for the face

To protect the face, one of the most exposed and sensitive areas when it comes to sun damage, it’s essential to know how to choose the right sun protection. It’s important to select a specific sunscreen depending on factors such as skin type and daily activity, making it even more important to understand SPF and which one to use in this area. At Biotherm, we offer a range of facial sunscreens with different levels of SPF, from lighter options to more intense formulas.

Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF50

Our Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF50 is a face cream with high sun protection that respects marine life. With its powerful photostable filtering technology, as well as antioxidant niacinamide and Life Plankton™, it offers very high UVA and UVB protection to prevent photoaging. Its fast-absorbing, water-resistant, non-greasy formula provides the skin with up to 24 hours of hydration and prevents wrinkles and dark spots.

Waterlover Sun Milk SPF30

For medium sun protection, we recommend our Waterlover Sun Milk SPF30. This eco-designed sunscreen, featuring our soothing and regenerating Life Plankton™, is 99% biodegradable and kind to aquatic life. Its lightweight formula is easy to apply, leaves no white marks and is water-resistant, offering an excellent defense against oxidative damage caused by UV rays.

Urban sunscreens

Urban pollution can also damage the skin, so it’s important to choose a sunscreen that protects it from UV rays and environmental aggressors.

Urban UV Defense Protective Hydrating Fluid SPF50+

Our Urban UV Defense Protective Hydrating Fluid SPF50+ offers UV protection with a fluid, lightweight texture combining regenerating Life Plankton™ and hyaluronic acid for more protected, hydrated and smoother skin. This is the perfect sun protection to apply daily as the last step in your morning skincare routine, before make-up.

UV Defense CITY+ Ultra Light Texture

Our UV Defense CITY+ Ultra Light Texture is a sun & pollution shield in a daily fluid. Superior facial protection against UV rays & the city. The SPF50 PA+++ broad spectrum defense protects against premature aging, pollution and PM 2.5 particles and the Biotech Plankton-enriched formula soothes and brings anti-inflammatory properties to skin under daily attack from sun and pollutants.

Facial treatments with sun protection

At Biotherm, we also include sun protection in ourfacial treatments for a complete skincare solution.

Blue Therapy Multi-Defender SPF25

Our Blue Therapy Multi-Defender SPF25 cream is an anti-wrinkle and anti-blemish treatment featuring a broad-spectrum protection complex, concentrated in antioxidant Baicalin and F.Lumbricalis algae to shield your skin from aging accelerators, such as UV rays, pollution, lack of rest and an unbalanced diet. Its fresh, light texture melts into the skin like water, leaving an instant sensation of freshness, and enhancing absorption of the active ingredients.

Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF30

Our Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF30 is a medium-protection, anti-aging treatment that trains your skin for improved firmness and radiance. Boosted with Biotech Plankton™ rich in 35 nutrients and collagen peptide fraction, its formula is designed to give the skin the structural support it needs to improve firmness and visibly firm the skin.