1. How does my skin tan?
The UV rays from the
sun stimulate the
skin’s pig
ment cells to form the brown pig
ment melanin as a defensive measure. Melanin is
naturally produced by your body and absorbs UV radiation and fights free radicals. Melanin production is our
natural protective response to
sunlight. It is important to recognise that the ability to produce a tan or the
natural skin colour of an individual affects their susceptibility to
skin damage.
2. What does the sun protection factor (SPF) mean?
The SPF is the description of how much longer you can stay in the
sun without getting a
sunburn, depending on your
skin’s self-
protection abilities (e.g. one can stay for 10 minutes in the
sun without getting
sunburned, hence a product with SPF 10 would multiply this “self-
protection time” by 10 = 100 minutes). Thus, the
sun protection is also dependent on your own
skin type. And above all, the
sun protection is only given in full, if enough product is applied. Recom
mended are 2 mg/cm2 for one application, which means, for example, about 1 finger length of product for the face or 2-3 tablespoons of product for an average adult’s body.
3. What is the correct amount to be applied?
The
protection given by a
sun care product will vary with the amount applied. Therefore the
sun care product should be applied generously to all parts of the
skin. Parts of the body often forgotten are the back of the neck, the front of the upper part of the chest and the backs of the legs. The application of
sun care products is one of the key factors to effective
protection in the
sun: Always apply before
sun exposure to ensure
protection from the start. One application correlates to 2-3 tablespoons for average adults. Reapply every 2 hours, in any case after swimming, toweling and perspiring.
4. Do children need different sun protection products to adults?
Children are particularly susceptible to UV related
skin damage. Their delicate
skin is still vulnerable and, in the case of very small children, their
skin’s
natural protection is not fully developed. Full
skin thickness and the ability to pig
ment is not fully reached until the teens. Frequency of
sunburn in childhood is related to
skin cancer at later age therefore children should use
sun care products with high and very high SPF. Furthermore, children love to bathe and swim. This decreases their
skin’s own UV
protection capacity and washes off UV filters to some extent. To keep the
sun protection level as prolonged as possible, our children lotions and sprays are developed with "extra water resistant" and Kids Swim&Play with long lasting water resistant properties.
As extension of the test for “extra water resistant”, where users take a bath for 4x20 min according to the approved standard by Cosmetic Europe, our definition for long lasting water resistance means that users take a bath for 6x20 min after product application and afterwards the remaining
sun protection has to be more than 50% of the
original value.
5. Can I prolong the sun protection by reapplication of sunscreen?
The
protective effect will not increase by reapplication. Therefore it is important to start with a high
protection factor right from the beginning. Regular application after toweling, swimming etc., but at least every 2 hours, will help maintain the chosen level of
protection
6. What does water resistant mean?
For the testing of water resistance in Europe exists a widely accepted standard which was approved by Cosmetics Europe (Roof organisation of the cosmetic industry). Following this standard, all our
sun care products with water resistance were tested at external independent institutes and passed the criteria for water resistance. The test users take a bath for 2x20 min. (water resistant) or 4x20 min. (extra water resistant) after product application and afterwards the remaining
sun protection has to be more than 50% of the
original value. Therefore, water resistance does not mean a lasting initial
sun protection for unlimited time.
7. Can I still use a sun protection product from last year or will it be less effective?
We guarantee the product quality for 12 month after opening. When the product has been stored under normal conditions at room temperature and does not look or smell strange, it can be used in the next season.
The shelf life is rather limited by factors such as physical instability (separation of the emulsion), changes in the perfume and the
color of the product. The widespread opinion that the SPF of
sun care products decreases over time and only
fresh products provide full
protection is not true.
8. Can I use a sunscreen in combination with any NIVEA body or NIVEA face care product?
This is possible when you apply the
NIVEA sunscreen first and wait for 15 to 30 minutes before applying the
NIVEA body or
NIVEA face
care product. This way, the effectiveness of the
sun protection system of UVA/UVB-filters in the
sunscreen is maintained.
9. What are the main reasons for sun allergies?
Sun allergies are caused by oxidative
stress as a result of UV-induced free radicals in the
skin cells. This leads to the immune system overreacting and causing inflammatory processes and numerous allergic symptoms. For the most part, it‘s individuals with
sensitive skin that are affected, so around 20% of the population. It is not really dangerous but very unpleasant for all relevant people. We can try to avoid
sun allergies with a
balanced UVA/UVB
protection system, particularly high UVA
protection. In addition,
active cell
protection agents in the product such as
vitamin E can help to strengthen your
skin’s resistance to
sun exposure. In order to meet your wishes regarding
skin care properties in combination with different levels of
sun protection we offer you a wide portfolio of
Sun Protection Lotions and Sprays. For peopele with senisitive
skin we recom
mend the
NIVEA Sun Protect &
Sensitive products.
10. What can I do about yellow stains in my clothes caused by sun care products?
The product contains different UV filters which
protect the
skin against UVA and UVB radiation. The UVA filters in particular tend to give yellow stains. This stain formation is promoted if the clothes come into contact with the
skin before the product is completely absorbed. In such cases the clothes should be prewashed without any detergent at 30°C followed by a normal wash cycle with l
iquid detergent at 30°C. If stains are stuborn and still visible after washing we recom
mend to let the fabric soak in a citric acid solution (50g citric adic in 1L water) for 1h. Be
careful with delicate fabrics and e.g. mother-of-
pearl buttons. Please test the product prior to the actual use on an unobtrusive spot. Alternatively, treat stains with a commercially laundry rust stain remover for fabrics according to the product directions. Then wash with l
iquid detergent at 30°C. Generally speaking, avoid bleaches, oxi-action products as well as powder detergents and washing at high temperatures. Warning: Be aware that citric acid is slightly hazardous in case of
skin contact (irritant, sensitizer), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion and of inhalation (irritant).
Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering. Tissue damage is dependent on length of contact. For this reason, we highly recom
mend to wear
protective gloves when handling citric acid and to not breathe in citric acid dust.
11. When I use sunscreen, why don't I get as much tanned as without?
Many people think, that a
sunscreen with high
sun protection factor (SPF) prevents tanning – and instead use products with lower SPF. But even with higher
sun protection, you will tan. However, it will take somewhat longer, but will be gentler to your
skin. Products with a high
sun protection factor
protect against
sunburn and UV-induced premature
skin ageing.
12. What is the shelf life for NIVEA Products?
All
NIVEA products have a proven unopened shelf life of at least 30 months from the date of manufacture unless they carry a specific expiry or use by date. Exposure to heat and light may, after time, lead to some instability of the basic structure of the product. Our advice would be to discard any old products that may look grainy, watery or discoloured, or if the odour has changed.
13. What are the reasons for sun allergies?
Sun allergies are caused by oxidative
stress as a result of UV-induced free radicals in the
skin cells. This leads to the immune system overreacting and causing inflammatory processes and numerous allergic symptoms. For the most part, it‘s individuals with
sensitive skin that are affected, so around 20% of the population. It is not really dangerous but very unpleasant for all relevant people. We can try to avoid
sun allergies with a
balanced UVA/UVB
protection system, particularly high UVA
protection. In addition,
active cell
protection agents in the product such as
vitamin E can help to strengthen your
skin’s resistance to
sun exposure. In order to meet your wishes regarding
skin care properties in combination with different levels of
sun protection we offer you a wide portfolio of
Sun Protection Lotions and Sprays. For peopele with senisitive
skin we recom
mend the
NIVEA Sun Protect &
Sensitive products.