UV RADIATION AND OUR SKIN
WHAT EXACTLY DOES SPF AND THE NUMBER STAND FOR? Sun Protection Factor. The SPF number correlates to how long a person can be exposed to the sun without burning. For example, if you use SPF 50, you can stay in the sun 50 times longer than if you were unprotected.
DO WE REALLY NEED TO WEAR SPF ALL YEAR ROUND? EVEN ON CLOUDY DAYS OR DURING WINTER? You are exposed to UV radiation during daylight, throughout the year. Even though you may not feel it, your skin still gets damaged in winter and on cloudy days if you don't wear SPF.
WHAT IS UVA & UVB / BROAD SPECTRUM? UV radiation is part of the energy produced by the sun. The UV radiation is categorised into UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC radiation is stopped in the atmosphere and never reaches us. UVA and UVB on the other hand can be harmful for humans if we don’t protect ourselves properly.
UVB stands for about 5% of the radiation we are exposed to. The level of UVB radiation varies depending on the time of the year and where you are. UVB levels will be stronger in the summer and the closer you are to the equator but it can also be stronger on high altitudes. UVB can be filtered by clouds and windows. UVB radiation stimulates the pigment cells to produce melanin which turns the skin darker as a protection. Exposure of UVB can lead to sun allergy, sunburn, premature wrinkles and skin cancer.
UVA radiation stands for around 95% of the radiation we are exposed to. UVA rays are at the same levels throughout the year during daylight and they can penetrate clouds and windows. UVA can also penetrate deeper into the skin and harm the inner top layer of the skin. UVA can cause your skin to age prematurely and they can also cause skin cancer. Taken from https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/
WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT RADIATION AND WILL IT IMPACT MY SKIN? Blue light, or HEV- (high energy visible) light refers to the light we are exposed to from our digital devices such as laptops, phones and tablets. Blue light can cause premature ageing and hyperpigmentation.
We have added wild butterfly ginger (INCI: Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract) in our face cream to protect from blue light.
GUN ANA PRODUCT FAQ
WHERE ARE GUN ANA PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED? Our products are formulated and manufactured in Sweden.
WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF GUN ANA SPF PRODUCTS? Our products last for 6 months after opening for use. It's important to not use sunscreen that has expired as the filters may lose their effect after a while. Make sure you mark your Gun Ana bottle with your open date to keep track!
ARE GUN ANA PRODUCTS OCEAN FRIENDLY? Studies show that filters with Homosalate, Octinoxate, Benzophenone and Oxybenzone can be harmful to sea life. We have chosen not to include these ingredients in our products. We are always on the search for the latest and most effective UV filter on the market.
CAN I USE GUN ANA PRODUCTS WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING? Yes, you can use our sunscreens while pregnant and breast feeding. We do use chemical filters in our products, but these are all approved based on EU regulation.
ARE GUN ANA PRODUCTS VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE? All our products are cruelty free and vegan which means that non of our products are tested on animals nor contain any animal ingredients.
CAN I USE GUN ANA ON CHILDREN? Yes, our products are safe and effective for children. Some children have more sensitive skin so please test patch first if you have any concerns.
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS WATER RESISTANT? Yes, they are. This means they will stay protective if you sweat but will need to be reapplied after prolonged swimming or water exposure.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I APPLY SUNSCREEN? We recommend applying sunscreen in the morning and/or 15-20 minutes prior to sun exposure. We also recommend reapplying your sunscreen every 2-3 hours and/or after prolonged water exposure.