Sunburn, Sunscreen & Smart Formulation
The spring sun feels gentle, but don’t be fooled! New Zealand’s UV is already strong enough to cause sunburn. With UVI levels hitting 3 or more, your skin needs protection long before summer arrives.
Sunscreen Was Born from Sunburn
The story begins with a mountaineer. In 1936, Swiss chemist Franz Greiter was badly sunburned while climbing Piz Buin. That painful experience inspired him to create one of the first sunscreens.
By the 1960s, he introduced the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) system we still rely on today, a clever piece of skincare formulation science that changed the way we protect our skin.
What Does SPF Really Mean?
- SPF 50 = you can stay in the sun 50 times longer without burning than if you wore no sunscreen.
- But only if you use enough! A thin layer of SPF 50 can act more like SPF 15.
👉 Tip: Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside to let chemical filters activate and create an even layer.
The Magic Behind Sunscreens
Sunscreen isn’t just one ingredient, it’s a carefully designed formulation that blends filters, stabilisers, and skin-friendly ingredients.
Two main filter types keep your skin safe:
- Mineral (physical) filters – zinc oxide & titanium dioxide. They sit on top of skin, reflecting UV rays. They work immediately.
- Chemical filters – absorb UV rays and turn them into harmless energy (heat). They need 20–30 minutes to activate.
Both can protect against UVA (aging rays), UVB (burning rays), or both (broad spectrum).
⚠️ Note: If sunscreen irritates your skin, it’s usually due to fragrances, preservatives, or other additives, not the UV filters themselves.
How Is SPF Tested?
- SPF is measured on untanned human skin under controlled conditions.
- Protection levels also vary by skin type, described by the Fitzpatrick scale, which ranks how easily your skin burns or tans.
✅ No matter your skin type, everyone benefits from sunscreen. Healthy, protected skin never goes out of style.
Sunscreen = Serious Science
Think sunscreen is “just a cream”? Not quite. Good sunscreen formulation must be:
- Spreadable (easy to apply)
- Stable (doesn’t break down in the tube or on your skin)
- Safe & effective (ingredients that work together)
In New Zealand, sunscreens are regulated as therapeutic products. That means every claim (SPF 30, broad-spectrum, water-resistant) must be backed by strict testing.
And today, SPF isn’t only in creams. You’ll find it in sprays, oils, makeup, lip balms, and even cleansers. That means you can top up protection without messing up your look.
Why It All Matters
Our skin’s pigment (melanin) is nature’s sun shield, but it has limits. Too much UV exposure damages the DNA in skin cells. Over time, this can lead to skin cancers, including melanoma, one of the deadliest.
The bottom line?
Slip, Slop, Slap isn’t just a slogan. It’s lifesaving advice.
✨ Conclusion
New Zealand’s sun is stronger than most places in the world. Knowing why — and understanding how SPF and smart sunscreen formulation protect you — is the first step.
But knowledge isn’t enough. How you use sunscreen makes all the difference.
👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll share pro tips on applying SPF the right way, avoiding common mistakes, and keeping your skin safe all summer.
Prepared by: A. Oblak, BSc in Chemistry
References:
- Baumann, L., MD. (2009). Cosmetic Dermatology (2nd ed.).
- SunSmart New Zealand. sunsmart.org.nz
- Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ. Sun Safety. info.health.nz
- Royal Society of New Zealand. royalsociety.org.nz
- NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. niwa.co.nz
- Image Source: Unsplash+