CosBeauty Magazine #90

CB: WHY IS BEING ABLE
TO OFFER A NANO-FREE
SUNSCREEN IMPORTANT?
HOW DOES THIS
ALIGN WITH MEDIK8’S
PHILOSOPHY?
SKIN
DI: Having a non-nano physical
sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ is
very rare but something we consider
to be important while the safety of
nano-sized filters and their potential
impact are still being discussed in the
scientific community. We choose to
use micronised physical filters expertly
blended into the lightweight, high
protection formula. They give an
optimal light-scattering ratio and
decrease the whitening effect, while
being larger than nano so that the
particles do not penetrate deep into the
skin. Our non-nano formula also keeps
our sunscreens coral reef-friendly – we
do not use controversial filters like
oxybenzone, octinoxate and nano-zinc
oxide, which have all been linked with
coral reef damage.
CB: WHAT SPECIFICALLY
DOES MEDIK8’S PHYSICAL
SUNSCREEN PROTECT
AGAINST? HOW DOES IT
DO THIS?
DI: Medik8 Physical Sunscreen has
broad spectrum UVA protection. UVA
has a significantly damaging effect on
skin, and its rays are the primary cause
of premature skin ageing. It is the only
UV ray which penetrates into the
dermis, where collagen is found. For a
‘broad spectrum’ UVA protection, the
UVA protection factor should be at
least one-third of its UVB protection,
and its critical wavelength is >370nm.
Medik8 Physical Sunscreen contains
mineral sunscreen filter zinc oxide.
Zinc oxide is able to block UV light by
both absorbing UV rays and converting
them to heat, and reflecting UV waves
away from the skin. This protects the
skin from contact with UV waves. It is
known for its protecting properties and
is very gentle on the skin.
CB: PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN
ALSO CONTAINS ANTI-
GLYCATION TECHNOLOGY.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT
AGES ARE?
DI: Around 70 to 80 percent of skin
ageing is attributed to photoageing
and UV radiation, however around
10 to 20 percent is attributed to
glycation. Glycation is the reaction
between sugar molecules and protein
molecules, resulting in advanced
glycation end-products (AGEs).
This is caused by accumulated sugar
molecules from the diet and from free
radical damage.
AGEs can be damaging when they
accumulate in the skin, and deposition
of AGE products in the upper dermis
can cause a yellowing to the skin. One
way to reduce unwanted glycation is to
provide ingredients which inhibit the
binding of sugar to proteins, binding to
lysine in its place. Carnosine is an
anti-crosslinking agent and thus is
used in Medik8 Physical Sunscreen
to help the build up of crosslinked
collagen proteins.
CB: HOW MUCH
SUNSCREEN SHOULD WE
BE APPLYING TO OUR
FACE EVERY DAY? WHAT
STEP OF OUR SKINCARE
ROUTINE SHOULD
SUNSCREEN BE ADDED?
DI: Every morning, as the final
step in your skincare routine, apply
one-quarter of a teaspoon sized amount
of Physical Sunscreen to the face, neck
and décolletage, avoiding the eye area.
Apply the sunscreen at least 20 minutes
before sun exposure, and reapply during
the day for maximum protection.