Protect Land + Sea Certification

Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL)

https://haereticus-lab.org/protect-land-sea-certification-3/

Pollutants HEL checks for when certifying a product include:

Any form of microplastic sphere or beads.
Any nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
4-methylbenzylidene camphor
Octocrylene
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Methyl Paraben
Ethyl Paraben
Propyl Paraben
Butyl Paraben
Benzyl Paraben
Triclosan
Homosalate
Octisalate
Butyloctyl
salicylic acid
Propylparaben
Any form of microplastic sphere or beads. Any nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Oxybenzone Octinoxate 4-methylbenzylidene camphor Octocrylene Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) Methyl Paraben Ethyl Paraben Propyl Paraben Butyl Paraben Benzyl Paraben Triclosan Homosalate Octisalate Butyloctyl salicylic acid Propylparaben “Any of the nylon powders used in cosmetics and personal care products, such as Nylon-6 (polyamide 6), Nylon-10 (polyamide 10), Nylon-11 (polyamide 11), Nylon-12 (polyamide-12), all of the Orgasol polyamide product lines, any of the polyester plastic powders such as polyester-8, polyester-25, nylon glitters, polyester glitters, HDI/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymers, any of the polycarolactones, and any of the polyethylene powders or fibers.”

The Protect Land + Sea Certification (PL+S) is different from other certification programs, such as Organic, Fairtrade, etc. These certifications ask the manufacturer to guarantee a product abides by its criteria.
PL+S Certified Products, on the other hand, are independently tested by Haeretics Environmental Laboratory (HEL) to ensure they DO NOT CONTAIN anything on the HEL LIST.
PL+S Product Certifications last for only two years. Why? New science is always being generated. PL+S is on the cutting edge of incorporating new scientific discoveries.
New chemicals are added to the HEL LIST at the beginning of every new Certification period. These are chemicals known to contaminate wildlife and pose a threat to their welfare. This means that companies have to re-certify their products to keep up with the science.

What is Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL)?

HEL is a non-profit, scientific organization whose mission is to conserve wildlife and ecosystems. For over 10 years, we have conducted rigorous scientific and environmental investigations. In the last year, we have had thousands of people from all over the world ask us how they could be involved in our effort to protect and restore ecosystems of the land and sea.

FDA

National Park Service

To protect park resources and visitor safety, the National Park Service encourages the use and sale of sun protection that is less harmful to our reefs. This includes protective clothing and mineral-based sunscreens with only titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Be aware that sunscreens with “reef-friendly” branding may include ingredients that are harmful. Always look at the active ingredients to determine if they only include the minerals titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

https://seasicksunscreen.co.nz/pages/which-sunscreens-are-safe

Safe Sunscreen Ingredients for You and Better for the Environment

We have carefully selected a simple list of naturally-derived ingredients that are safe for your body (yes our sunscreens are safe for babies and children) and better for the planet too. The health of the environment is at the heart of every decision we make which is why we do not use chemical UV filters, we avoid nano-particles and our sunscreen is plastic free.

Non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen

Using non-nano zinc oxide as the only active ingredient in our sunscreen is incredibly important to us! Why? Because safer for both you and the environment than chemical UV filters, titanium dioxide and nano zinc oxide.

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil

Moisturising, healing and non-greasy. What more do we need to say really.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter

Shea butter is obtained from the seeds of the Karite tree (Butyrospermum parkii) common in several African countries. This soft, pliant ‘butter’ is pressed from the seeds and then purified for use in soaps, cosmetics and toiletries. This product has been ethically produced and sustainably refined to yield a white and practically odourless butter, ideal for use in cosmetics.

Candelilla Cera

A wax produced from the Candellila tree. This is a vegan alternative to beeswax.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is plant-based and gives our sunscreen its smooth yet non-greasy feel. It’s 100% biodegradable and perfectly safe for use.

Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Made from plant oils such as coconut oil and castor oil, this ingredient is soothing on sensitive skin.

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

This is another plant-derived ingredient and is gentle and moisturising on the skin. This ingredient receives the highest score on the EWG scale.

14,000 tonnes of sunscreen end up in the world’s ocean every year

Did you know that chemical UV blockers ( such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor) commonly used in sunscreens have all been found in marine life, surface seawater and sand? 14 million tonnes of sunscreen is estimated to enter the ocean every year (Downs et al. 2016).

SPF – Sun Protection Factor

FDA

Olay

WHAT DOES SPF MEAN?

SPF is short for sun protection factor, and the higher the number that follows it, like SPF 50 for example, the more time you may be able to spend in the sun without getting sunburnt from its ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. We’ll cover this in more detail in the next section.
It’s worth noting that there are two types of UV rays that your skin needs protection against, UVA and UVB rays.
Protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) rays is indicated with the letters UVA in a circle, which is the European Union marking determining a level of UVA protection. In the UK you might also see stars on the bottle, with five stars offering the best protection.
If a product can protect you from both UVA and UVB rays, it’s called ‘broad-spectrum’ UV protection.

WHAT DOES THE SPF NUMBER MEAN?

Simply put, the number after SPF indicates how much longer it may take for you to get sunburnt after you’ve applied SPF, compared to when you’re not using any SPF at all.
For example, if you usually start to get sunburnt after about 10 minutes without any sun protection, putting on an SPF 30 moisturiser will mean that you can spend approximately 5 hours in the sun without the risk of sunburn because 10 x 30 equals 300 minutes.
Keep in mind, this calculation, however, is just an estimate, because your risk of sunburn can depend on many factors like the weather, the season and the time of day. Plus, we don’t recommend figuring out how long it normally takes you to get sunburnt by spending time in the sun unprotected to see.
The takeaway message should be that although the sun protection factor number can be as low as 2 or as high as 50+, the higher this number, the better it is in terms of your protection against sunburn. The minimum recommended for daily use is 15, and it should provide UVA protection as well.
It’s also important to note that you should always follow the instructions on the pack or bottle about how often you should reapply, and if you still feel a bit uncertain, reapplying more often is always safer.

All about UV rays

The sun is responsible for up to 80 percent of the signs of premature skin ageing. So, no matter how much you love the sun, it’s important to protect your skin from its harmful rays. Read on to learn all about UV rays.

UVA AND UVB RAYS EXPLAINED

Although it’s not quite as black and white, there’s a trick that makes it a bit easier to understand the main difference between UVA and UVB rays in an easy way:

UVA ending with A is for ageing
UVB ending with B is for burning.

Exposure to UVA rays

Although both UVA and UVB rays are invisible, and we can’t feel them, we are exposed to both all year round. UVA rays can penetrate through clouds and even glass windows, so your skin needs protection even if it’s raining outside, or you’re just sitting by your living room window. When they reach your skin, UVA rays get deep into its surface, and over time they can cause visible skin ageing like fine lines and wrinkles.
Using a daily moisturiser with broad-spectrum UV protection can help fend off UVA rays and keep your skin looking younger for longer while also giving your skin the hydration it needs.

EXPOSURE TO UVB RAYS

Our exposure to UVB rays varies by time, season and location. They also cause more skin damage at higher altitudes because the atmosphere is thinner so it can’t filter as many of the UVB rays out. This means using SPF on a ski trip or while mountain climbing is just as important as applying it while on the beach.
UV rays are also one of the main causes of skin cancer, so protection against both UVA and UVB rays is key not just for preserving your skin’s youthful look but also to protect your health.

HOW DOES SPF PROTECT YOUR SKIN AGAINST UV RAYS?

The SPF number, likes SPF 30 or 50, on the label of a bottle isn’t just about how long you can spend out in the sun without getting burnt. The higher the SPF you use, the better because:

SPF 15 fends off 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 fends off 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 fends off 98% of UVB rays, however as you can see there’s very little difference as we go up in numbers.

When you choose your SPF face cream, always go for products with broad-spectrum UV, because it gives you protection against both UVA and UVB rays as opposed to those that protect only against UVB rays. All of our Olay collections contain an SPF variant while pampering, hydrating and nourishing your skin.

Why an SPF moisturiser?

Using moisturisers with SPF in the morning when you’re going to be out and about might not be everyone’s favourite thing to do, since many of these moisturisers with SPF feel heavy, sticky and greasy on the skin. Olay has a solution for that!
Olay Regenerist Whip Light Moisturiser With SPF30 absorbs instantly and has an ultra-lightweight feel, so you won’t have to wear an uncomfortable and heavy cream on your face to get the additional benefit of SPF. As a true multitasker, Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 30 also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and contains SPF 30 to give you a comfortable and hydrating barrier against the sun. It’s important to note that it should not be used a substitute for sunscreen.

REGENERIST WHIP LIGHT MOISTURISER WITH SPF30

If you already have a skin care routine, a moisturiser with SPF fits right into it. In terms of your regimen, your favourite Olay moisturiser with SPF comes at the same step as a regular moisturiser would – right after you’ve cleansed your face and applied any serum you’re using. Keep in mind, certain treatments, like eye creams, should always follow your moisturiser.
Apply the moisturiser with SPF liberally. Don’t forget the hairline, neck and décolletage to make sure all of those exposed areas get coverage.

The bottom line on SPF

Sun protection helps protect your skin against those invisible yet harmful UVA and UVB rays that are responsible for burning your skin and up to 80 percent of the signs of premature skin ageing. Don’t forget to apply SPF every day, no matter the weather, as UVA rays can penetrate overcast conditions, too.
To keep your morning skin care routine streamlined, a moisturiser with SPF can kill two birds with one stone. That way you can leave your home knowing you’re taking great care of not only how your skin looks but its health too.
Do you want to know more about how to prevent fine lines and wrinkles? Does your skin already show some signs of ageing? Olay is here to help. Check out our guide on an effective anti-ageing skin care routine to help you keep your youthful look longer.

CeraVe

UVA vs. UVB & Broad Spectrum

To understand UV protection, first you need to know the difference between UVA and UVB rays², which are just part of the spectrum of light emitted by the sun—and there’s an easy way to remember how each of them affect the skin. UVA rays are considered “aging” rays because they can prematurely age your skin by causing wrinkles and discoloration, and these rays can penetrate glass. UVB rays are the “burning” rays, and these rays do not significantly penetrate glass. However, one thing that UVA and UVB rays have in common is that overexposure to either can lead to skin cancer in all skin types and ethnicities³. This is why it’s essential for you to use a broad-spectrum sun protection product⁴ that can help protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays.⁵

What Does SPF Mean?

SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” but SPF only indicates protection against UVB, or “burning” rays. It may seem like an SPF of 50 provides almost double the protection as SPF 30, but that’s not the case. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays⁶ and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.⁶

Since SPF only applies to UVB rays, it’s imperative to choose a sunscreen that says “broad spectrum” on the label, as this indicates the product helps protect the skin from UVA rays as well.⁵ Remember, a higher SPF does not mean you can spend more time outside without reapplying.

What SPF Should I Use?

The best sunscreen⁴ is a broad-spectrum formula that helps protect against UVA and UVB rays that you will use every day. Some sunscreen products can be specially-formulated to provide other benefits to the skin, such as extra moisture, and may contain beneficial ingredients like soothing niacinamide and ceramides to help restore your skin’s natural protective barrier.

How Does SPF Work?

Sunscreens with chemical-based ingredients, such as homosalate, work by absorbing UV rays before they can damage your skin. Physical or mineral-based UV ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide create a barrier on your skin’s surface that reflects UV rays. Some sun protection products include a mix of both chemical and mineral sun filters⁷—and you can learn more about these ingredients here. However, the key for optimal sun protection is proper application⁸, and it’s essential to apply an adequate amount of sunscreen to cover exposed skin and reapply as directed.⁵

How to Use Sunscreen

It’s important to keep a few additional application tips⁸ in mind to maximize the UV protection sunscreen can provide.

Most adults need about one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, for the entire body—and don’t forget often-missed spots like the ears, tops of the feet and the back of the neck. Stick-based UV protection is helpful for smaller areas like around the eyes and the lips.
When using sunscreen, it’s important to apply it 15 minutes before going into the sun. And, again, remember to reapply at least every two hours, or after swimming, sweating or towel-drying⁸.

Of course, when in doubt, read the instructions on the bottle or tube of your favorite sunscreen.

Sunscreen