Description
What is Sun Caffeine SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen?
The application of topical sunscreens is evidently an effective solution to resist the ill effects of this radiation when out in sun. Sun Caffeine is a notable product of its kind that employs remarkable ingredients to protect the skin from UV. With an extensive range of both UVA and UVB filters, it significantly absorbs the UV above the skin cells and emits out longer wavelengths of lower energy.
Caffeine, another active ingredient is a potent antioxidant and has been shown to stimulate UVB-induced apoptosis in cancerous cells. These properties make caffeine an effective approach for inhibiting sunlight-induced skin cancer. This sunscreen uses UV filters like Avobenzone, Homosalate, and Octocrylene, all of which have been shown to have no adverse effects on hormonal balance nor do they elicit any allergic responses.
Main active ingredients of Sun Caffeine® SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen
Octocrylene – an oil-soluble chemical sunscreen agent that protects skin in the UVB and somewhat in the UVA II range with a peak absorption of 304 nm. Its protection is not strong enough on its own but it is quite photostable (loses 10% of SPF protection in 95 mins) and is often used to stabilize other photo-unstable UV filters, for example, Avobenzone. It is also often used to improve the water-resistance of the products.
Octocrylene’s safety profile is generally quite good, though a review study in Contact Dermatitis reports an “increasing number of patients with photo contact allergy to octocrylene.” Mainly adults with ketoprofen sensitivity and children with sensitive skin are affected, so if you have a small kid, it is probably better to use octocrylene-free sunscreens.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) – the famous Avobenzone. It is a special snowflake as it is the only globally available chemical sunscreen agent that provides proper UVA protection. It is the global gold standard of UVA protection and is the most used UVA sunscreen in the world.
It gives very good protection across the whole UVA range (310-400 nm that is both UVA1 and UVA2) with a peak protection at 360 nm. The problem with it, though, is that it is not photostable and degrades in the sunlight. Avobenzone loses 36% of its UV-absorption capacity after just one hour of sunlight (yep, this is one of the reasons why sunscreens have to be reapplied after a few hours).
Ethylhexyl Salicylate – a colorless to light yellowish oily liquid that works as a UVB (280-320nm) sunscreen filter with a peak absorbance at 306 nm. It’s not a strong filter in itself, it’s always used in combination with other sunscreen agents to further enhance the SPF and to solubilize other solid UV filters. It has a good safety profile and is allowed to be used at a max concentration of 5% both in the US and in Europe (10% is allowed in Japan).
Caffeine – Studies have found that caffeine has a sunscreen-like effect and has the ability to reduce UVB damage when it is applied prior to sun exposure. A study performed on mice found that when caffeine was applied before sun exposure the number of molecular sunburn lesions (thymine dimer lesions) was reduced.
The same study from above found that when caffeine was applied topically to mice after UVB sun exposure it helped to eliminate cells that had already been damaged. They found that the application of caffeine helped to stimulate apoptosis, which controlled cell death of cells that are damaged. Increased apoptosis at a site of sun damage is beneficial, because it eliminates dangerous, mutagenic skin cells that have the potential to go on to become skin cancer.
Homosalate – is an organic compound that belongs to a class of chemicals called salicylates. Salicylates prevent direct skin exposure to the sun’s harmful rays by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light. Homosalate specifically absorbs short-wave UVB rays, which are associated with DNA damage and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Method of Use
Take an ample amount of the lotion and apply liberally to the sun-exposed parts of the body, face, neck, and behind the ear, preferably a few minutes before going outside. For extra and continuous protection, it can be reapplied as per the need or if under prolonged sun exposure.