Beauty Bible Beauty Clinic

Welcome to our new weekly column on the YOU magazine website, www.you.co.uk  Below you will find the current question and our advice, with a list of where to source the products mentioned.  To look at past columns, click here. And for lots more solutions to your beauty dilemmas, visit Q&A, just click here.

June 14th, 2009: Natural Suncare

Q I just tried to buy my favourite Dr Hauschka sun protection only to be told it was discontinued due to new EU regulations. Can you tell me what's going on? And recommend another natural brand please?

A We asked WALA, the parent company for Dr Hauschka, for an explanation and this is an abbreviated version of their response:

‘WALA used mineral-based sun filters because they take effect externally and are particularly gentle on the skin. The UVA protection of Dr Hauschka sun protection products meets the “Australian Standard”, which guarantees that at least 90% of UVA rays reaching the skin are filtered out. Before the current EU recommendation, this was the most common method around the world to measure the UVA protection of sunscreen products.

‘As of summer 2009, however, a mandatory EU recommendation says that all sun protection products in the EU must have at least a 1:3 ratio of UVA protection to UVB protection. It is easy to achieve the required ratio with chemical sun protection factors. But using chemical sun protection factors is out of the question at WALA’.  So they have decided to take all their sunscreens off the shelf.

The new EU recommendation reflects current thinking about UV rays. The old mantra was UVA for ageing, UVB for burning and skin cancer.  But it’s now accepted that UVA also plays a role in the development of skin cancer (although UVB is about 1,000 times more powerful than UVA.) 

We loved Dr Hauschka products too, and are sad at their decision. There are, however, other natural ranges that use mineral screens –mainly titanium dioxide and zinc oxide -that do come up to the new EU standards.  Several can be found on one of our favourite websites, www.lovelula.com (known as the organic apothecary, tho’ to be strictly fair, not every product is certified organic). 

Lula Braithwaite, the eponymous founder, carries natural ranges including the German brand Lavera, Gamarde from France, Badger from the USA, and Green People from the UK!  Plus one of our favourites - SPF25 Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer by Kimberly Sayer (£23.59 for 150ml), which is Sarah’s daily staple).  John Masters Organics, better known for hair care, has a sun care range too, including a topical antioxidant serum to boost protection, and is also available on www.lovelula.com.

Another plant-rich brand, (although not totally natural), is Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare (from www.lizearle.com). In her new book Liz Earle Skin Secrets, Liz explains:

‘When you choose a sun protection product, remember that the SPF number assesses UVB protection while UVA protection is generally listed as low, medium, high or very high.  The UVA protection should, under new EU regulations, be one third of the UVB protection (look for the letters UVA in a circle on the label).  To be safe, never go lower than UVA medium protection (which covers SPFs 15, 20 and 25).  Fair-skinned children and all those with a higher risk of skin cancer should use UVA high or very high protection (which covers SPF30-50), also anyone who is out on water, snow or concrete – all of which reflect UV radiation.

We . . .

Estée Lauder Turbolash Mascara, £27.40. Why does the world need a vibrating mascara we thought?  Then we tried it:  the micro-pulsed vibrations really do help the lifting, separating, volumising action of the mascara. What’s more, it’s one of the few we’ve ever found that is good for end-of-day mascara reapplication, as the LashSonic brush re-separates lashes, avoiding that spidery, clumpy look that you often get when redoing mascara.  Available in black only, for now - though there are rumours of a gold-flecked version for Christmas. We can’t wait! Available online at www.garden.co.uk and at department stores nationwide.

WHERE TO FIND PRODUCTS:

Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Moisturizer £23.59 for 150ml is available online at www.lovelulua.com don’t forget your special 5% discount!

Green People No Scent Sun Lotion SPF 22 £16.30 for 200ml and Green People Sun Lotion SPF15 with Tan Accelerator £16.30 for 200ml are available online at www.greenpeople.co.uk

John Masters Organics SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen 2oz
 £28.50 for 2 oz/59 ml is available online at www.lovelula.com don’t forget your special 5% discount!

We . . .

Estée Lauder Turbolash Mascara £27.40, is available online at www.garden.co.uk

Beauty Bible Beauty Clinic - Archive

June 7th, 2009 - Anti Ageing Skin Care
May 31st, 2009 - Natural Nail Polishes
May 24th, 2009 - Body Polishing
May 17th, 2009 - Rosacea
May 10th, 2009 - Manky Feet
May 3rd, 2009 - Makeup Makeover
April 26th, 2009 - Facial Hair Removal
April 19th, 2009 - Teen Skin
April 12th, 2009 - Swimmers Hair
April 5th, 2009 - Make-up For Damaged Skin
March 29th, 2009 - Are Sunbeds Safe?
March 22nd, 2009 - Weak, Flaking Nails
March 15th, 2009 - Puffy Eyes
March 8th, 2009 - Camouflaging Red Cheeks
March 1st, 2009 - Hair Colouring in Pregnancy
February 22nd, 2009 - Thinning Eyebrows
February 15th, 2009 - Acne