Photoprotection: more than just SPF

Protecting your skin from the sun goes beyond preventing sunburn. UV radiation, visible light and infrared radiation can all affect the skin in different ways, contributing to pigmentation, oxidative stress, collagen breakdown and premature ageing.

Understanding the full solar spectrum - and how it interacts with your skin is key to protecting it long term.

Understanding the Solar Spectrum

Sunlight is made up of different types of electromagnetic radiation:

UV radiation ~5%

Visible light ~45%

Infrared radiation ~55%

Each penetrates the skin differently and can affect it through different mechanisms

UV Radiation: UVA vs UVB

UVB - The Burning Ray

- Primarily affects the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin

- Responsible for sunburn and erythema

- Causes direct DNA damage

- Contributes to pigmentation and skin cancers

- Strongest around the middle of the day and during summer

- Makes up around 5% of the UV radiation reaching the skin

UVA - The Ageing Ray

- Penetrates deeper into the skin

- A major contributor to photoageing and pigmentation

- Generates free radicals and contributes to DNA damage

- Breaks down collagen and elastin

- Contributes to skin cancers and immunosuppression

- Present all day, all year round

- Can penetrate through clouds and glass

- You don’t feel UVA on your skin

- Makes up around 95% of UV radiation reaching the skin

The takeaway?

UV exposure isn’t just about getting burnt.

Cumulative, everyday exposure - particularly UVA can contribute to long term changes in the skin.

There is no such thing as a “healthy tan”

A tan is not your skin becoming healthier.

An UV induced tan is a protective response to cellular and DNA damage.

Sunburn is a visible sign that the skin’s capacity to repair and recover from UV damage has been exceeded.

So while a tan may look healthy, the process that creates it is a sign of skin injury.

How does the sun age your skin?

There are two main types of skin ageing:

Intrinsic ageing:

Natural ageing influenced by genetics, hormones, metabolism and nutrition.

Extrinsic ageing:

Ageing driven by environmental factors - particularly UV radiation and pollution

UV driven environmental ageing is known as photoageing

Photoaged skin may appear:

- Dry and leathery

- Unevenly pigmented

- Coarse or wrinkled

- Less elastic

Visible light matters too

Sunlight isn’t just UV.

Visible light makes up roughly 45% of the solar spectrum and can contribute to:

- Pigmentation

- Hyperpigmentation & melasma

- Oxidative stress

- Inflammation

- Collagen breakdown

- Photoageing

This is particularly important for pigmentation prone skin and darker skin types.

Did you know?

Most standard sunscreens don’t provide meaningful protection against visible light.

For additional visible light protection, look for tinted formulations containing iron oxides.

Not all sunscreens are the same

Chemical/Organic filters

These filters absorb UV radiation and convert it into a negligible amount of heat.

Different filters absorb different wavelengths, which is why they are often combined to provide broad-spectrum protection.

Mineral/inorganic filters

Mineral sunscreens use ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect and scatter UV radiation.

They are generally stable and have a low irritating and sensitizing potential, making them a popular choice for sensitive or rosacea prone skin.

Tinted sunscreens

Tinted formulations contain iron oxides, which provide additional protection against visible light.

This is particularly beneficial for pigmentation, melasma and darker skin types.

How to minimize photoageing & skin cancer risk

Sunscreen is important - but it shouldn’t be your only form of sun protection.

Make photoprotection part of your daily routine:

- Avoid prolonged unprotected sun exposure

- Seek shade, particularly during peak hours

- Wear a sun hat

- Wear protective clothing

- Wear wraparound sunglasses

- Apply a broad spectrum SPF50+ to exposed skin

- Consider a tinted SPFwith iron oxides if pigmentation is a concern

- Incorporate topical antioxidants such as Vitamin C into your skincare routine

Remember: UVA is present all year round, all day long - so daily protection matters even when it’s cloudy or you’re not at the beach.

Our Elta MD sunscreen range

At The Skin Company, we believe the best sunscreen is one you’ll actually use consistently

That’s why choosing the right formulation for your skin type, lifestyle and concerns is so important.

Elta MD UV Sheer SPF50+

Your everyday all rounder

A hybrid chemical + mineral sunscreen designed for face and body.

- Suitable for all skin types

- Lightweight, hydrating and non greasy

- Transparent finish

- Water and sweat resistant for 80 minutes

- Contains Vitamin C for antioxidant protection

- Fragrance free & paraben free

- Hypoallergenic & non-comedogenic

- Convenient 100ml size

Our preferred option for men and active lifestyles

Elta MD UV Clear

Everyday protection for blemish & pigmentation prone skin

A lightweight hybrid sunscreen formula with 5% niacinamide to help calm the skin and visibly improve uneven skin tone and discoloration.

- Lightweight & non-comedogenic

- Available in untinted and tinted formulations

- Tinted options provide additional visible light protection

- No white cast

- Layers beautifully under makeup

- Suitable for acne prone and sensitive skin

Our go to everyday option- particularly the tinted formulations

Elta MD UV AOX Tinted SPF 50

For pigmentation and photoageing

A 100% mineral tinted sunscreen formulated with antioxidants and iron oxides

- Vitamins C & E for antioxidant protection

- Iron oxides provide visible light protection

- Hyaluronic acid for hydration

- Bisabolol & ginger root to help calm redness

- Ideal for pigmentation and melasma prone skin

- Particularly useful for darker skin types

A great choice when pigmentation is your primary concern.

Elta MD Skin Recovery SPF50

For sensitive & compromised skin

A lightweight 100% mineral sunscreen designed with skin barrier support in mind.

- 2% Amino Acid Complex Barrier Repair Technology

- Centella Asiatica to calm and soothe

- Ceramides to support the skin barrier

- Available in green tinted option to neutralize redness

- Ideal for sensitive or rosacea prone skin

- Excellent choice following laser or other procedures

Perfect for skin that needs extra calming and barrier support

Find your perfect SPF

Consistency is key

The best sunscreen isn’t necessarily the most expensive or the highest SPF - it’s the formulation that suits your skin, lifestyle and concerns, and that you’ll use everyday.

At The Skin Company, your skin is our priority.

Not sure which sunscreen is right for you?

Our team is here to help you find the right formulation for your skin.

Email: reception@theskincompany.co.nz or call 092004535