Posted by Katarina Fajfar
on March 18, 2025
Years ago, I wasn't too interested in sunscreen .
Too heavy, too greasy, the feeling on the skin was not pleasant at all. If I wore it, it was only in the summer, at the seaside, when I used it the amount of product was not satisfactory, the application was not proper... in a word, nothing worked. 🙂 It was all as if nothing had happened.
At 22, I experienced my first, last and hopefully never again sunburn on a cloudy, muggy day and for the first time I started to earnestly strive for sun protection to become mandatory and necessary. The sun's rays, those beautiful sun rays, are no longer so safe, despite the fact that for me personally they are an extremely important source of free vitamin D and well-being. Unfortunately, their intensity of action on our skin, whether we like it or not, acts in the form of premature aging (wrinkles, spots, etc.).
1. UVA/UVB sun rays you need to remember.
Our sun sends various UV rays to the earth. Unfortunately, we are not safe from all of them. The ozone layer protects us from UVC rays, and partly from UVB rays, but the remaining part of UVB rays and UVA rays unfortunately reaches the earth and consequently also reaches our skin.
2. Why should I be afraid of the sun's UVA and UVB rays?
The phase of a beautiful tanned complexion, which is no longer healthy and which you should avoid, is out of fashion. Of course, a tanned complexion is beautiful, attractive, and makes you more confident and courageous, but let me remind you that the kind of complexion you have acquired through sunbathing and the transmission of UVA and UVB rays to your body is unhealthy.
UVA rays are the ones that penetrate deeper into the skin, they also form free radicals, change cells, dry out your skin in the long run, damage collagen fibers, accelerate premature aging, and when your body has really absorbed too much of them, don't forget that you can also cause sun allergies, various pigmentations, and other inconveniences. UVB rays can penetrate the epidermis and are the cause of painful sunburns, allergic reactions, etc.
Now that we know the importance of UVA and UVB rays, their impact, and consequences, we can get down to proper protection. In this kind of endeavor, not just sunscreen will be enough, but a spectrum of several different products that protect us. Appropriate clothing, sunglasses, hats, caps, avoiding watches that are especially emphasized in avoidance, we have already done a lot. But it is much easier to find a suitable headgear than to find a safe sunscreen .
3. Mineral / synthetic protection, which one to choose?
Now, let's get to the part that interests us the most. I've tried both and stayed true to natural sunscreens with mineral protection. I really like sunscreens that are enriched with ingredients that additionally nourish our skin and don't irritate it.
I like mineral sunscreens because they start working very quickly after application. We just have to be careful that they are well absorbed into the skin. They are kind to the skin, which is why mothers also like to use them on their children. Me too. You have to get used to the fact that they can leave visible white marks, which are of course more pronounced on dark complexions and undertones. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the ingredients that reign supreme in mineral protection. They absorb into the upper layers of the skin and reflect the sun's rays from there. They do their job perfectly if applied in the right amount and repeated regularly.
But it's true that this type of sun protection takes a lot of effort to get us to love it, as layering these types of sunscreens is a challenge that you either like or don't.
Synthetic protective filters These sunscreens themselves warn that we need to apply them to our skin at the right time before exposure to the sun's rays. 20-30 minutes before exposure will be just enough for them to start working properly. The textures of the products are light, they do not leave white marks, they are quickly absorbed, and they often have nice, enticing scents. The formulas are definitely much simpler, quickly absorbed and attractive compared to mineral filters. They are easier to apply in larger quantities. There are a large number of synthetic protective filters on the market, but they can be much less kind to our skin. I would absolutely not recommend this type of cream for every skin type. If we touch atopic skin, certainly not. And please, think of children, we always try our best for them and they deserve only the best.
4. So which protective filter should you choose?
The fact is that with the right amount and regular application of sunscreen, both types of protective filters work, but it is true that the ingredient list that makes up a sunscreen as a whole may not be suitable for you and your skin type, regardless of whether the base is mineral or synthetic protection. To find your ideal sunscreen, you will have to try quite a few.
5. Nanoparticles, should I be afraid of them?
If we focus on mineral filters/zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, we can be worry-free if we know and are assured by the manufacturer (only they tell us whether mineral filters are free of nanoparticles, they also trust us on their packaging. Nanoparticles must comply with EU legislation and their directive, so the packaging is appropriately marked on the list of ingredients with the word 'nano' in parentheses). However, if you have an Eco Certified sunscreen at home, it should already be free of nanoparticles. Although nanoparticles are what give mineral sunscreens their lighter texture and application, they are also extremely small in size and can penetrate deeper layers of the skin.
It is true that zinc oxide is considered one of the safest UV filters, but in the form of nanoparticles, it can cause the formation of free radicals. In addition, nanoparticles are not liked by marine biologists, who are trying to encourage people and organizations to stop using synthetic sunscreens and mineral sunscreens in the form of nanoparticles, as they harm coral reefs and cause many other inconveniences in the aquatic world.
If you choose mineral protection without nanoparticles, you are a winner for me personally, in every way.
6. SPF 30 or SPF 50?
I honestly advise you to choose the highest SPF factor possible, because if you apply the wrong amount of sunscreen, your SPF will be significantly reduced. While reading some great articles on Future Derm, I came across information that if you apply the wrong amount of SPF 30 sunscreen, your SPF will be reduced by 10-15. With all that said, I really recommend a higher SPF factor, but if you are very, very diligent and use the right amount, you can stick to the SPF protection you prefer.
7. When are the sun's rays strongest?
You know those words and sayings that from 10 am to 4 pm it is wise to avoid the strong energy of the sun. The sun is strongest at noon, so it would be great to avoid unnecessary activities at that time. It is not good for you, your organism, your body and your skin.
8. How much sunscreen should we apply, for example, to our face and neck?
Big, huge, unimaginable for me personally. 2 mg per square cm. In practice, the amount of sunscreen is huge, my skin, if I focus on the face, unfortunately does not accept that much. Draw two lines of sunscreen on your thumb and forefinger, this is kind of an approximate amount that you need for the entire face, neck. With mineral protection, after countless attempts, waiting for it to slowly absorb into the skin, unfortunately, this amount did not bear fruit, without the feeling on the skin becoming unpleasant. Frankly, my skin “suffocated” in quotes :).
If you type the keywords into Google's browser: How much sunscreen do you need to use on your face, body? The photo category will show you a lot of examples of visual material on how much sunscreen you really need. The easiest way to help yourself is to have a measuring spoon at home, which we use to make excellent pastries and which says ¼ oz. 1.25 ml (fill it and apply the entire amount of sunscreen to your face and neck). It is extremely important, however, to repeat the application of sunscreen regularly.
9. My liquid foundation, day cream, contains SPF, is this a substitute for sunscreen?
No, a big no. Your day cream will never replace sunscreen, the amount of SPF protection provided in the product will unfortunately never reach the level of sunscreen. In addition, to achieve the stated SPF that the cream contains on your face, you would have to apply an unimaginable amount of product. Your skin would never be able to handle that much day cream, liquid foundation. Safe sun protection in this case is exclusively the SPF protection of sunscreen in the correct amount of application.
10. Is it enough to use SPF protection only in the summer?
No, and again a big NO. SPF protection is used all year round. It is your cheapest anti-aging treatment that will successfully fight premature aging, pigment spots, blemishes... The season does not matter, sun protection should be a part of you every day, all year round. You know, even if it is a cloudy day, somewhere above the clouds the sun is waiting diligently, seeping its power through.
11. What sunscreen do you recommend?
Here at the SkinFairytale blog, I'm announcing that a brand new sunscreen is coming to the Slovenian market very soon in May. Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide, SPF 30, broad spectrum, without nanoparticles, waterproof, suitable for atopics, without essential oils, with ecocert natural fragrance with a pleasant smell and non-allergenicity ... it will be wonderful, I promise that it will be worth waiting for its purchase and the next post, which will present it to you in more detail. Katarina has worked hard to provide you and your family with only the best. After several months of effort, it will soon be part of online and store shelves and we are all extremely looking forward to it. Especially me, who will always look for only the best natural, mineral protection and proudly bring it to the world.
At the end of all the written words, I would like to tell you just one more thing: it is important to take care of yourself, your well-being, your body, and your soul.
If SPF protection wasn't a priority, don't worry, it wasn't and still isn't a priority for millions of people. But you can do your best, slowly and gradually come to love it, support those manufacturers who put more than just their knowledge into the development of sunscreen, but themselves as a whole and it is a reflection of love not only for our skin, but also for nature, coral reefs, the aquatic world. I want you to start slowly and gradually. Somewhere halfway along your path, you will realize that it's not so difficult anymore, just choose wisely and thoughtfully.
The right amount of SPF protection for your face and neck
See you in the next post, where I will introduce you to the wonderful SkinFairytale sunscreen, which will be your new, loyal companion throughout the year.