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What is Helioplex™?

The latest innovation from PIZ BUIN® is Helioplex™, a breakthrough in sun protection now available in all of the In-Sun products. This new technology is scientifically proven to maintain up to 90% of its active protection after five hours of sunlights. Sunscreens with Helioplex™ provide a photostable UVA and UVB protection so you can enjoy the sun safely.

What is photostability?

A UV filter protects the skin by absorbing radiation from the sun. When a sunscreen is exposed to the sun's rays, the chemical structure of its filters can change, and this can degrade their protective properties and therefore the level of protection they provide.
However, if a UV filter is photostable, it means that solar radiation does not affect its chemical structure (the word derives from the Greek word for light, "photos").

What is Melitane?

Melitane technology helps develop the body's natural tanning pigments (melanin) and helps ensure their even distribution. Skin to which Melitane has been applied shows a tan that is 54 per cent more intense*. You can find Melitane in PIZ BUIN® Bronze products.

* In-vivo test.

What are the advantages of Melitane compared to Carotene?

Carotene is a colouring ingredient that is widely used in bronzing products designed to give a more intense tan. The main disadvantage of Carotene is its characteristic orange colour, which can often stain clothes, swimming costumes and beach towels. The PIZ BUIN® Bronze contains Melitane, a technology which increases natural melanin production by 54%* for a beautiful tan that develops faster and more intensely. Also it does not stain your clothes, like Carotene does.

* In-vivo test.

What is Melibiose?

Melibiose is a patented naturally derived ingredient that is also found in honey. It significantly enhances skin tone, making it more supple and giving a healthier-looking complexion. It has been proven in scientific tests to improve the elasticity of the skin, make it firmer, more supple and younger-looking, and increase the number of collagen fibres. Melibiose is used in PIZ BUIN® Radiant Face.

What is BENIGN SUMMER LIGHT ERUPTION (BSLE)?

Benign Summer Light Eruption (BSLE) is the most common kind of sun-induced skin eruption. It appears in the first few days that the skin is exposed to the sun, and primarily affects mainly women between 20 and 30 years of age (this group accounts for 86 per cent of all cases). It is brought on by exposure to high doses of UV radiation, and the main symptom is an intense itching sensation. The most commonly affected areas are the throat and upper chest and the backs of the forearms. BSLE disappears within a few days. Go to PIZ BUIN® Allergy to find out more about product which has been specially designed to help prevent allergic reactions to the sun.

What does the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) mean? How do I choose which SPF is right for me?

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) on the bottle gives you a guide to the level of protection against the sun's rays that the product offers. - low (SPF 6 to 10), medium (SPF 15 to 20), high (SPF 30), very high (SPF 50+). In other words, the higher the SPF, the better the protection. However, choosing the right SPF depends on several factors. Firstly and most importantly, it depends on your skin type (colour of your skin before exposure to the sun, hair and eye colour, etc.). Secondly, it is affected by such things as where you are going on holiday, what time of year it is and how accustomed your skin is to the sun. The SPF can be explained as follows: If you can normally stay out in the sun for 10 minutes before getting burned (this timing depends on your skin phototype), you have a "self-protection" time of 10 minutes. If you then multiply this by the SPF figure given on the product, you can determine the maximum amount of time you can spend in the sun without getting burned (based on standard laboratory tests in which the solar radiation is simulated). This means that if you have a self-protection time of 10 minutes and you use a SPF 6 sunscreen, you can stay in the sun for a total of 60 minutes (1 hour) without getting burned. But beware: Once this time is up, you are no longer adequately protected unless you reapply your sunscreen properly!


What is sunburn?

Sunburn is the skin's reaction to ultraviolet radiation. If the skin is insufficiently protected when exposed to high doses of UV radiation, UV rays immediately start to penetrate the layers of the skin. Eventually blood vessels below the skin's surface expand and leak fluids, causing inflammation and redness. This is what we call sunburn. Depending on the person's skin type and the intensity of the UV radiation, this can be in as little as a few minutes. It is estimated that 80 per cent of the sun exposure an average person experiences in their lifetime occurs before the age of 18. Always protect your skin using the appropriate sun protection factor.

Will using sunscreen stop me from getting a tan?

Quite the reverse. Although the skin changes colour more slowly when you are wearing sunscreen, the resulting tan will be better and longer-lasting, because the sunscreen will prevent your skin from burning and peeling. Additionally, a gradually achieved tan is safer, more even, and longer lasting. Also, remember that some PIZ BUIN® products contain special ingredients like Melitane that stimulates the natural production and even distribution of tanning pigment in the skin.

What is UV radiation? What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

UV is the standard abbreviation for "ultraviolet". UV radiation is one of the types of radiation emitted by the sun (the others are infrared, or heat, and visible light). UV radiation is subdivided into three types, based on its wavelength: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays are absorbed completely by the earth's atmosphere, but we need to protect ourselves against UVB (the prime cause of sunburn) and UVA (the prime cause of long-term skin damage and premature skin ageing). 80 per cent of premature skin aging is due to exposure to the sun, so proper sun protection is one of the best ways to prevent wrinkles. Always make sure you buy a product that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. PIZ BUIN® products offer both UVA and UVB protection.

Why is it important to wear suncream even when I am in the water?

The UV radiation half a metre below the surface of water is still 40 per cent as intense as it is on the surface and water itself reflects approximately 25 per cent of UV radiation. So, it's important you use a water resistant product.

How long does sunscreen last before it goes out of date? Can I use a tube left from last year?

It depends whether the tube has already been opened or not. If not, there is absolutely no problem. All PIZ BUIN® products are tested according to the EU regulation and have a useful life span longer than 30 months. However, if your bottle has already been opened more than 12 months ago, you should no longer use it - as recommended by the European standards for all suncare brands.