with After Sun Lotion

If you have very sensitive skin and/or suffer from neurodermatitis or rosacea, you should better avoid trigger factors that cause flare-ups of these conditions. Fragrances and lanolin, also known as wool wax, can be among the trigger factors, as they have a higher potential to cause allergies. Parabens, plasticizers, or sulfates may also not be tolerated. You can find all the details about this again here!

There are two types of UV filters used in sunscreens: organic filters, also colloquially known as "chemical" filters, and inorganic filters, which are better known as "mineral" or "physical" filters. [1] Sunscreens with chemical UV filters are absorbed by the skin, absorb the sun's rays, and convert them into heat energy. Mineral filters, on the other hand, sit on the skin and reflect the sun's rays; they thus form a physical barrier and prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin cells. [2]

Some chemical filters are suspected of having hormonal effects, as this mode of action has been partially proven in cell and animal studies. To the best of current knowledge, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has so far classified only one chemical sunscreen factor as harmful to health; however, a "reevaluation of approved UV filters at the European level is intended." [3] [4]

Our certified natural cosmetic sunscreen protects your skin and that of your children with a purely mineral zinc oxide filter. Zinc oxide has proven to be a safe ingredient for baby and children's care products and also protects the environment when swimming. Did you know that some chemical filters are already banned in Hawaii and Palau because they pollute the oceans and bleach coral reefs? [5] [6]

[1] Serpone N. et al. Inorganic and organic UV filters: Their role and efficacy in sunscreens and suncare products. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 2007, 360, 794–802

[2] Meinhard, E. Service: Sunscreen tested. For ARD | DasErste.de, 2018. Online at: https://www.daserste.de/information/politik-weltgeschehen/morgenmagazin/service/service-Sonnenschutzmittel-Test-100.html (28.05.2018)

[3] Throl, C., Thomas, K. Sunscreen tested: The sunscreen we recommend for the skin. In: ÖKO-TEST June 2018, 2018. Excerpt online at: https://www.oekotest.de/kosmetik-wellness/Sonnencreme-im-Test-Welchen-Sonnenschutz-wir-fuer-die-Haut-empfehlen_111085_1.html (24.05.2018)

[4] German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Information, tips and recommendations on sunscreens, 2005. Online at: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/informationen_tipps_und_empfehlungen_zu_sonnenschutzmitteln.pdf (22.08.2005)

[5] n-tv, Hawaii bans UV filters: Sunscreens harm marine animalsn, 2018. Online at: https://www.n-tv.de/wissen/Sonnencremes-schaden-Meerestieren-article20497528.html (26.06.2018)

[6] n-tv, Holiday paradise protects coral reefs: Palau bans most sunscreens, 2018. Online at: https://www.n-tv.de/wissen/Sonnencremes-schaden-Meerestieren-article20497528.html (02.11.2018)

No. Our sunscreens contain no chemical UV filters and are compliant with the Hawaii Reef Law*. The Hawaii Reef Law prohibits the use of sunscreens that use oxybenzone, octinoxate, or octocrylene as UV filters because they can harm coral reefs.

We deliberately chose a purely mineral zinc oxide filter. The mineral UV filter does not interact with the skin, but rather sits on the skin like a mirror and reflects the sun's rays. In addition, all boep sunscreens are certified in accordance with the strict guidelines of COSMOS NATURAL for controlled natural cosmetics. COSMOS NATURAL does not permit the above-mentioned chemical UV filters.

First of all, regarding their similarities: Both creams are excellent for use on the face and offer extra-high sun protection with an SPF of 50.

The main difference between the two products lies in their consistency and cream base: The sunscreen is water-based, while the sun balm is formulated with an oil base. This makes the balm noticeably richer and provides additional protection against the cold in winter. Since it is waterless, it also requires no preservatives and is therefore particularly well tolerated by very dry or sensitive skin, such as skin affected by neurodermatitis.

Ultimately, the choice between the two products depends on your skin type and individual needs.

First, let's look at the similarities: Both sun products have a light consistency and offer you extra high sun protection with SPF 50
against UV rays.
The main differences lie in the scent and the formula. Our sun milk SPF 50 has a very delicate and fresh scent, like our boep scent. If your skin is prone to neurodermatitis or sun allergies due to certain ingredients, we recommend our med sun milk. It is free of
fragrances and also impresses with its hypoallergenic formulation. Ultimately, the choice between the two products depends on your skin type and your individual needs.

The sun milk is a water-based product, which makes it easy to spread. Due to the fact that zinc, which acts as a UV filter for us, is very hydrophobic, i.e., water-repellent, the sun milk can further dilute upon contact with water. However, it is important to note that this applies to every product, as no product on the market is completely waterproof. The good news is that UV protection follows a logarithmic curve, meaning that protection is very low at SPF 5, then increases massively between SPF 10 and SPF 20, and reaches almost 90% from about SPF 25. Further protection, for example SPF 50, only adds a few more percentage points; the curve flattens out and never reaches 100%. While this is a bit mathematical, it means that with a sun milk with SPF 50, a good amount can wash off and the protection will still be present, as long as it doesn't fall below SPF 10. Our tip, therefore: apply generously in the morning before you go into the water, and then reapply directly after swimming. This way, with a sufficient amount, you should have adequate protection in the water.

First, let's look at the similarities: Both sun products are fragrance-free and are therefore ideally suited for use on very sensitive skin. They also offer you extra high sun protection against UV rays with SPF 50.
The Sun Cream Sensitive SPF50 and the med Sun Milk SPF 50 differ mainly in consistency: the sun milk is significantly
thinner and therefore easier to apply to the entire body.
If your skin is prone to neurodermatitis or sun allergies due to certain ingredients, we recommend our med Sun Milk. It is free from
fragrances and also impresses with its hypoallergenic formulation. Ultimately, the choice between the two products depends on your skin type and your individual needs.

All boep sun care products do not contain the chemical UV filters oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene, making them compliant with the Hawaii Reef Act.

The Hawaii Reef Act came into force in 2018 and prohibits the use of sunscreens with the aforementioned UV filters in Hawaii due to their coral-damaging properties.

Excerpt from the law: "Oxybenzone and octinoxate cause mortality in developing coral; increase coral bleaching that indicates extreme stress, even at temperatures below 87.8 degrees Fahrenheit; and cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms. These chemicals have also been shown to degrade corals' resiliency and ability to adjust to climate change factors and inhibit recruitment of new corals." (Page 1)

You can read the law here (original in English).

Our sunscreens use zinc oxide, a naturally occurring, inorganic substance, as a UV filter. For use in cosmetics, zinc oxide is micronized so that it can be processed as a powder. The question of the size of the comminuted particles frequently arises - especially whether the particles are nanoparticles (size between 1-100 nm). According to the regulations of the European Commission, nanoparticles must be labeled in the ingredient list if they are nanomaterials, i.e. more than 50% of the particles are nanoscale. According to these regulations, the filter we use is not a nanomaterial, although individual particles can still be nanoscale.

However, when it comes to the question of whether nanoparticles are good or bad for the skin, it's not just about size, but primarily about whether they are "biopersistent," meaning they can remain in the skin. And this is not the case with our sunscreen, which only contains zinc oxide particles. In recent years, there has been a lot of different information about nanoparticles, but not all of it was scientifically validated and has wrongly caused uncertainty among customers. Feel free to take a look at this general article on the subject here.

Since our sunscreens are certified natural cosmetics, you won't find the controversial plasticizers, so-called phthalates, in our ingredients.

The topic of "free radicals" is complex, and fundamentally, it is important to understand that the formation of "free radicals" is a normal process in the body. For example, they are formed during normal metabolic processes, by smoking, through air pollution, or during inflammatory reactions. They can also be formed by UV radiation. However, the human body has defense mechanisms for this and generally copes well with it. In addition, there are substances, so-calledantioxidants, which are either produced by the body or contained in creams/food that bind these free radicals and thus render them harmless. As long as the balance of these substances is maintained, you do not need to worry too much about this topic. Feel free to check out this post by Anni, where all of this is explained in detail again, along with examples of foods that have a high antioxidant content.
Our creams always contain antioxidants, which are either contained in the plant oils or, in the case of vitamin E, added as tocopherol. Dispersion in neutral oil ensures that the zinc oxide is optimally dissolved in the sunscreen. Here too, of course, we pay attention to the use of antioxidants. We have once again specifically forwarded the question about the coating to our supplier, but we consider it unlikely that the formation of free radicals that can be caused by UV light—which, as mentioned, is a physiological process—can be prevented by a coating. We will gladly keep you updated on our findings. And of course, it is important to prevent the formation of free radicals in the skin as much as possible by applying sunscreen!