Holidays: Everything you need to know about sunscreens to be well protected

EDIT: Because it is important to protect your skin from the sun's rays, we offer you the rereading of this article, accompanied by a video.

Between the raging heat wave and the upcoming vacation departures, the time has come to pull out the sunscreen.

But between the protection index, the frequency of application and the expiry dates, it is not always easy to navigate

gives you the keys to choosing the right sun protection.

Which protection index should I choose?

“The clearer the skin, the greater the risk of exposing yourself to the sun,” says Dr. Caroline Robert, director of the dermatology department at the Gustave Roussy Institute.

"The best thing to do is to choose a high protection factor: 30 minimum", she prescribes.

And choose a cream that also contains a UVA filter.

"Clothes are also a good protection, like a hat and a T-shirt, especially for children," she insists.

But the beach is not the only opportunity to put on sunscreen.

"As soon as you are exposed to the sun, you must protect yourself or you will get sunburn," recommends Dr. Robert.

Whether at work if you are outdoors, gardening or enjoying a sunny terrace.

How much sunscreen should I apply and how often?

Ideally, you should apply 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin to be well protected, the equivalent of a golf ball on the body at each application.

“No one puts in that amount,” admits Dr. Robert.

This is why it is necessary to renew the application frequently, ”she recommends.

Especially after sweating, swimming or wiping, as the ANSM advises.

But frequently reapplying sunscreen is not enough.

Beware of forgotten areas: the nose, the tops of the hands and feet and the ears must be protected.

"Not to mention the skull for bald men: many cases of cancer develop in this way," warns the dermatologist.

Can you keep your sunscreen from one year to the next?

This is the question we ask ourselves every year: what to do with our bottle of sunscreen from last summer, barely started and for which we paid more than twenty euros in pharmacies?

All sunscreen products have an expiry date, generally one year after opening, as indicated by the small logo on the back of the bottle.

If the sun protection does not stop on the morning of the 366th day after opening the bottle, you should know that over time, exposure to air, light and heat, the protection filters of the creams solar deteriorate, so they are less efficient.

That's why it's better to buy new ones every year.

Are the most expensive sunscreens the most effective?

Sun creams, there is something for all tastes and all budgets, prices ranging from one to ten depending on the brand.

But the cheapest ones do not necessarily protect less.

"In terms of price ranges, the differences are mainly cosmetic, such as the texture or the fragrance", points out Dr Robert, recalling that "what counts is a high protection factor combined with an anti- UVA”.

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