Sun protection: Nothing works without it
When the first rays of sunshine finally come out after the uncomfortable, cold and wet winter months, we would like to soak them up. And let's be honest: We would also like to replace the sallow winter pallor with a slightly trade in your tanned summer complexion, which looks so wonderfully fresh. Going without sunscreen is not a good idea! Because sun protection is and remains the most effective remedy against premature skin aging and skin cancer. So we can't make any compromises here.
In the warm season, sunscreen and moisturizer form an indispensable power duo more than ever. These two components are indispensable in skin care in spring and summer and belong together like bad luck and sulphur. But in addition to the not so easy mission of finding the right sunscreen especially for the face, there is another doubt that comes up every year: "Can I still use the sunscreen from last year?”, you have probably asked yourself at some point. Let's check it out!
Why can sun protection expire?
When it comes to food, the question of shelf life makes sense, but why is it also important for sunscreen? Sunscreen serves to protect against sun damage. This is ensured by the UV filters contained in the cream. Their protective function can decrease with longer storage and through the ingress of oxygen when sunscreen tubes are open.
Depending on whether the cream contains chemical or mineral UV filters, it may even be that the protection not only loses its effectiveness, but turns into the opposite and becomes harmful. The filter octocrylene, which is contained in some conventional sun creams, is responsible for this. This ingredient has been criticized because carcinogenic benzophenone can form if it is stored for too long. This cannot happen with natural sun protection with mineral UV filters.
💡You can read all advantages and disadvantages of chemical and mineral UV filters and which sun protection we recommend here : Natural sunscreen - what to look out for?
Is the sunscreen from last year still good?
Whether you can use last year's sunscreen without hesitation depends on two other factors in addition to the type of UV filter:
- Has the sunscreen already been opened or not used?
- How and where was the sunscreen stored?
How long does sunscreen last?
As a rule, unopened sun creams have a minimum shelf life of 30 months from the date of manufacture. The situation is different if you have already opened the tube or bottle. Opened sunscreen usually has a shelf life of 12 months. You can recognize this by the opened crucible symbol, combined with the imprint 12M (for 12 months). Even if the cream from the previous year is still good according to the label, you are welcome to be a little more generous when applying it. In this case, the following applies as an exception: a lot helps a lot.
How to store sunscreen properly
The rule of thumb for storing sunscreen, both opened and unopened, is:
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Cool, dry places - yes please!
- Sunlight and heat - no thanks!
In the cellar and possibly even in the refrigerator, sun protection is in good hands and overwinters without losing its UV protection function If the cream has been exposed to great heat for a long time after opening it in the car or in the beach bag, it is better to treat yourself to a new one.
☝️Beauty tip: In spring, always check the opened sunscreen from the previous year for odour, color before using it for the first time and Texture. If you are unsure about one of these three factors, it is better to get a new tube, better safe than sorry.
This is how you clean your facial skin from sunscreen
If you know us, you already know that we like to recommend a very mild facial cleanser. In the morning it can even be cleaning with just water. It's different in the evening, especially if you've put on makeup or sunscreen beforehand. Water is not enough here, as most sunscreens are waterproof. The Oil Cleansing method does a lot more here, which you can do in combination with the FIVE make-up remover. For a particularly thorough removal of sunscreen, we recommend two cleaning cycles and changing the washcloth every day.
Self-tanner: The better alternative?
If you want to avoid the risk of UV radiation and still have a crisp bronze complexion, self-tanner might be the right solution for you. But caution is also required here as far as the durability is concerned. Because the ingredient dihydroxyacetone, which is responsible for the tanning effect, can split off carcinogenic formaldehyde, especially if there is too much heat. To be on the safe side, you should always keep the self-tanner in the fridge and not even use the one from last year.
Did you know: Unlike sunscreen, the risk with natural cosmetic self-tanners is no lower than with those with synthetic ingredients. Because the substance dihydroxyacetone, that causes tanning, is contained in both cases.
Spring cleaning is a must - also in the cosmetic cabinet
Do you know that too? Over time, as if by magic, more and more tubes, jars and pots accumulate in the mirror cabinet or the bathroom shelf. Until at some point you lose track of all the opened and half-used products. Then now is the right moment to put an end to the chaos.
Clear out, please!
What applies to the wardrobe also applies to cosmetic products. Once a year turn the back of your hand and consider: Do I still need this or can it go away? Although the question in the case of cosmetics is more like: Is that still good? Because especially water-based products have an expiry date and should be beyond that are no longer used. Therefore, use the cosmetic spring cleaning to take a look at the expiry date.
This is how you can tell if a beauty product is still good:
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Waterless make-up: Decorative cosmetics such as eye shadow, rouge & Co usually last several years.
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Waterless care products: Solid soaps and shower gels as well as pomades and balms can be kept for at least one year when stored dry and protected from light
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Water-based care products: After opening, creams, lotions and serums can be kept between 6 and 12 months, recognizable by the open jar symbol.
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FIVE products: Shelf life is clearly visible as a date on each product, except for the waterless shea cream, which has a very long shelf life when stored cool. Once opened, use up within 6 months if in doubt.
Cleaning in the make-up bag
Use spring not only to tidy up your cosmetics drawer, but also to give your beauty tools a thorough clean. This is where bacteria and germs can lurk that promote restless skin and impurities. Therefore: Make-up brushes, sponges and the like should be cleaned regularly (i.e. not only in spring)with a little shampoo of make-up residue and other dirt and then left to dry thoroughly.
Spring, we and our skin are ready for you!