The sun is the worst external factor contributing to skin

damage and ageing.

SUN Over-exposure and consistent exposure

accelerate the ageing process (photoageing).
will

PROTECTION Wearing a moisturiser with a sunscreen daily is one

way to minimise the damage from the sun’s rays,
helping to protect your skin against photoageing.

THE SUN’S RAYS

UVA rays (Ageing)
Less energy intense, long waves of ultraviolet light, which
can penetrate deeper into the dermal layer of the skin and
actively destroy the collagen and elastin fibres. Unprotected
sun exposure can lead to premature skin ageing. As the
face, neck and hands are most often exposed to UVA, they
are often the first to show signs of photoageing.

UVB rays (Burning)

Energy intense, short waves of ultraviolet light. The intensity
of UVB rays vary by season and location and will usually
burn the top layers of your skin. This is the damage we can
see soon after exposure to the sun/UV radiation. UVB does
damage in the epidermis.

UVC rays
UVC radiation is the strongest, most dangerous form of UV
light. However, UVC rays are prevented from reaching the
earth’s surface by the ozone layer.

SUN PROTECTION RATINGS

PA rating
The term PA originated in Asia, and is now more widely used. It is a grade used to rate the level of UVA
protection in a sunscreen. The more ‘+’ signs, the higher the level of UVA protection (maximum of 4).

SPF rating
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) refers to a rating for the degree of protection a product provides against UVB
rays. The higher the SPF number, the more protection from UVB that product will provide.

At The Body Shop, we use both Chemical Sunscreens and Mineral (physical) sunscreens in our products.
Our skin care products mainly use chemical sunscreens. These materials have been commonly used in
cosmetics for many years and have been carefully safety assessed to ensure they are safe for use.

Example Chemical ingredients that we use:

• Octocrylene
• Ethylhexyl Salicylate
• Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (also known as avobenzone)
• Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (also known as Octyl
Methoxycinnamate)

Example Mineral ingredients that we use:

• Zinc oxide
• Titanium dioxide

* Note that Titanium Oxide is often also used as a colourant ingredient rather than a sunscreen which is why
it may appear in ingredient lists for products that do not have an SPF benefit.
What are Chemical and Mineral Sunscreens? FREQUENTLY
Chemical sunscreens offer more coverage against UVA
and UVB rays than mineral/physical sunscreens, but the
ASKED
range of protection will depend on the particular active
used and its stability. QUESTIONS
They absorb into the skin, changing UV rays into heat,
then release that heat from the skin
You need to wait 20 minutes after application for effective
sun protection.

Mineral sunscreens use physical filters as the primary

active and are called ‘physical sunscreens’.

They work by absorbing, reflecting, and scattering UV

rays from the surface of the skin. These ingredients form a Mineral
shield over the skin. When UV rays hit the skin, they
bounce off this ’shield’, which inhibits penetration into the
skin. In reality, full deflection does not happen. Invariably,
some rays will get through.

They start protecting immediately upon application.

Chemical

If it's cold or cloudy outside, do I still need to wear a sunscreen?

Yes, as up to 40% of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. You
should use at least an SPF of 15 all year round.

If I wear make-up over the top of my moisturiser that contains an SPF, does this
affect the SPF in any way, or make it less effective?
As long as you let the moisturiser absorb into the skin properly before applying your make-up, the SPF
should not be affected.

I have heard that using an SPF product can block the pores and can cause acne -
is this true?
Some sunscreens may increase the likelihood of blocking the pores, so look out for those that are
labelled ‘non-comodegenic’, such as the Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF50 PA++++. Non-
comodogenic products are formulated to ensure they do not cause blocked pores.
Does an SPF filter out all of the UVB
rays?
FREQUENTLY
SPF 15 filters out approximately 93% of all incoming
UVB rays. SPF 30 keeps out 97% and SPF 50
ASKED
keeps out 98%. The American Academy of
Dermatology recommends to ensure you apply
enough product to achieve the SPF level, you need
QUESTIONS
two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimetre
of skin - which is quite a generous amount of
product.
In practice, this means applying the equivalent of a two tablespoons of sunscreen to the exposed areas
of the face and body or a 20 pence piece(MARKETS TO AMEND)-sized amount to the face alone. If
you’re using a spray, apply until an even sheen appears on the skin.

Some countries use SPF 100. Does that block out all of the sun’s rays?
As mentioned above, SPF 50 blocks 98%. A product with an SPF of 100 blocks 99%. No sunscreen is a
100%-block guarantee. There is a risk that using a higher SPF could lead to a false sense of security
about being able to in the sun longer without reapplying.

If you are using two product with varying SPF’s which SPF level do you get?
Essentially, when two SPF products are used their SPF values cannot be added together, but assuming
they are used appropriately to give sufficient coverage, the value of the sun protection will be that of the
higher of the product used.

Should I give my customer the guideline of:

Minutes to burn without sunscreen x SPF number = maximum sun exposure
time

Please note that it is no longer legal to have on pack or in any advertising, in any market, any reference
to the number of minutes it takes to burn without sunscreen multiplied by the SPF number, in order to
guide on maximum sun exposure time. You should no longer use calculation this with customers.
Reducing time in the sun, covering up and re-applying sunscreen frequently is best practice.

How long do The Body Shop products with an SPF last?

Most products have a shelf life of two to three years unopened. You should always check the PAO
(period after opening) details on the product for specific information on how long once opened, the
product is useable.
 FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS

Separate Sunscreen Vs a Moisturiser with an SPF/P.A

• A specific sunscreen is considered to be a primary SPF/P.A. product. Meaning that its primary
purpose is to help protect the skin during excessive or prolonged periods of sun exposure. A
moisturiser with added SPF /P.A is just that; a moisturiser. It just happens to also have a secondary
benefit of added SPF/P.A.

• Using a moisturiser with an SPF/P.A. all year round will give your skin some protection, but it is
advised that you wear a specific sun product with a high SPF, apply more generously and evenly, and
reapply every few hours if you are going to be out in the sun during excessive or prolonged periods of
sun exposure.

Can the customer use a moisturiser with added SPF for sunbathing, as long as
they apply as per the directions, to achieve the level of coverage required?

• It is not recommended. This is because the main purpose of a moisturiser with added SPF/P.A. is to
provide excellent moisturisation. The secondary benefit it gives is that of helping to provide sun
protection through the day, not to protect during excessive or prolonged periods of sun exposure.

• Sweating or participating in water-based activities such as swimming can cause sun protection to
come off and therefore be less effective. A moisturiser with added SPF/P.A. is unlikely to be water-
resistant, so won’t offer adequate protection, making it unsuitable for helping to protect the skin
effectively during excessive periods of sun exposure (prolonged sunbathing). A primary sunscreen
product however is often water-resistant.