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These 8 tips help you be kind to yourself during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a big deal. Some people experience few problems, while others encounter all known ailments. However your pregnancy progresses, be kind to yourself! It's okay if you don't feel good one day or if you're struggling a bit. So much is happening in your body. To help you, we've collected 8 tips on how you can give yourself and your changing body some extra love during pregnancy. 1. Embrace and accept We know, this can sound so awful when you're hanging over the toilet for three months (or longer) and feeling nauseous. Been there. But in hindsight, you can do nothing but accept the situation. Hold on to the fact that it's all for a good cause and will eventually pass. 2. Get your sleep Really! Especially in the first trimester and at the end of pregnancy you can be quite tired, give in to it! Put your social contacts on the back burner and let the housework be for now. Your body is working hard and could use the rest. Suffering from insomnia during pregnancy? We've collected some tips for that too. 3. Pamper your changing skin Your skin gets quite a beating during pregnancy. Hormones and growth can cause dryness or itching, so it's important to give extra attention. Use our relaxing body oil to pamper yourself and support your growing belly with our belly balm. Suffering from restless legs? A bath with magnesium bath salt can help! Read more tips about skincare during pregnancy here. 4. Take a few days for yourself What? Yes, this sounds impossible indeed. Yet it's not a bad idea at all. When the baby arrives, there will be little time left for yourself, so some me-time won't hurt. See if you can get away to a nature cottage or book a pregnancy retreat. 5. Mind, body, soul from home Maybe you have no desire to leave the house, but want to cocoon nicely. Then of course you can stay home. Listen to podcasts or meditations, follow pregnancy yoga from your own home or take an online pregnancy course. Nice from your bubble. 6. Pregnancy massage Ever thought about a pregnancy massage? Do it! Let yourself be pampered and give your body the relaxation of a massage. Also good if you're retaining fluid. 7. Stop apologizing! Those hormonal outbursts are completely normal. Yes, they're annoying, but you really don't need to keep apologizing. Not even when you have cravings, by the way. Let it go and know: this will pass too. 8. Your body is undergoing change and that's just how it is So accept it! It can sometimes be difficult to see your body change. Some women feel their most beautiful when they're pregnant, others feel like a beached whale. Try to find the things you do think are beautiful. And the most beautiful thing of all is of course that your body is changing to provide your child a safe place to grow.  

Carefully crafted: the ingredients in our pregnancy range

Introducing: our new pregnancy range! Perfect for a relaxing me-time moment or to gift to someone expecting. Our brand new shower foam, body oil, belly balm and bath salt are especially formulated for the sensitive, pregnant skin. But what’s in it and why? We’re happy to highlight some ingredients for you.   Squalane & Jojoba oil The Naïf Relaxing Body Oil and the Nourishing Belly Balm contain squalane and jojoba oil. Squalane supports the hydration balance of the skin and protects against dehydration. Jojoba oil nourishes deeply and strengthens the natural skin barrier, for optimal care during pregnancy. The hydrating function of the ingredients help with stretch marks. Stretch marks are caused by the rapid growth of your belly, skin tension, and genetic predisposition. Although they cannot be completely prevented, these products support your skin during these changes.   Magnesium The Naïf Magnesium Bath Salt contains just one ingredient: bath salt! The high magnesium content creates a light and relaxing bath that even helps muscles relax and relieve pain. Many women suffer from pain and cramps (restless legs) during pregnancy and magnesium helps counteract these symptoms. Magnesium also has a calming function, which is why it can help you sleep better at night. Very helpful if you’re suffering from pregnancy insomnia or to prepare for those disturbed nights of sleep!   Glycerin & Sodium Lactate  The Naïf Caring Shower Foam is back! With the warming scent of jasmine and cedar wood, your shower transforms into a moment of relaxation. The ingredients glycerin and sodium lactate help cleanse and take care of your skin. Glycerin provides deep hydration and keeps skin soft and supple, while sodium lactate keeps your skin's natural moisture level balanced. That way you can enjoy a relaxing shower and skin that is taken care of.  

Wat is een geboortevlek en wat kun je er het beste mee doen?

Baby sunburns: how to treat and prevent them

The sunny months are a great time for babies and toddlers. During outdoor activities, time is forgotten and everyone enjoys the sunshine. It sometimes happens that children get a sunburn, even when you've been careful with sun protection. Find out here how dangerous sunburn really is for your baby and what you can do to relieve the symptoms and prevent sunburn in the future. 1. How dangerous is sunburn for babies?Every time your little one gets a sunburn, it can impact their health, as deep layers of the skin are damaged. This is especially a concern if sunburns happen more often. If your baby has light skin, there is a higher risk of getting a sunburn.For babies, sunburn can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and even cause a fever. Every sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer. This might sound alarming and scary at first. But there's lots you can do if your baby gets sunburned, and things you can do to prevent it in the first place.2. What to do if your baby has a sunburnIf your baby gets sunburnt despite all the protective measures you've taken, this is how you can help: Cover the affected part of the body with a cold cloth. Apply cold compresses with camomile tea Shower/bathe with lukewarm water Use a mild moisturiser without fragrances Give your little one plenty of fluids to drink Use cooling aloe vera products, like our aftersun gel or spray (keep the product in the fridge beforehand for an even better effect). 3. How can I prevent that my baby gets sunburnt?Once the sunburn is over, the next step is to prevent the next sunburn. To do this, you can do the following: Dress your little one in long, loose clothing made of tightly woven fabrics (e.g. cotton) that has a UV protection factor Use a hat with neck protection and visor Sunglasses with UV protection Apply mineral sunscreen. Apply this about half an hour before you go outside with your baby and reapply every two hours, and after each water session Stay in the shade as much as possible 4. Sun protection by NaïfSo that you and your little one can enjoy the summer to the fullest, we've developed sun protection that combine protection against UV rays, sustainability and skin compatibility. Our sunscreen for babies and kids has SPF50 and contains a zinc oxide based UV filter. Its water resistance makes it the perfect companion for the summer months. After a long day outdoors, your baby's skin will be grateful for the After Sun Gel, which gently cools the skin with natural aloe vera juice. It has a soothing effect on the skin, moisturises and doesn't dry out the skin thanks to the vegetable glycerine.5. ConclusionThe danger of sunburn in babies should not be underestimated. Sunburn is unpleasant for babies and can be a health risk. It's good to know that you can do something about it. Cold camomile tea compresses, cooling ointments and aloe vera gently care for the baby's burnt skin. With the right clothes, playing in the shade and a fashionable sunhat, you can easily protect your mini from sunburn. And once you've found the right sunscreen for you and your mini, voila: you can go out and enjoy the sunny days.

Insomnia during pregnancy (pregnancy insomnia), what can you do about it?

Pregnant and suffering from insomnia? You're certainly not alone! During pregnancy, many women experience sleepless nights. The frequent urination, endless to-do list and your snoring partner certainly won't help, but where exactly does this insomnia come from? And more importantly: what can you do about it? We asked ourselves the same question and that's why we investigated! Insomnia is common during pregnancy. According to Cleveland Clinic, 25% of women experience sleepless nights in the first trimester. In the third trimester this rises to 80%! There are different 'types' of insomnia: not being able to fall asleep, waking up frequently, waking up early. It varies from person to person and from pregnancy to pregnancy whether and where you experience it. And with a bit of bad luck, you'll have all three. Where does it come from? During the first three months of pregnancy (the first trimester), insomnia is mainly caused by changes in hormone levels. Estrogen and progesterone play a major role here, the hormones that are also responsible for the menstrual cycle. During pregnancy you produce up to 1000 times more estrogen than before. Especially in the first trimester there is a large increase that then becomes somewhat more stable. Estrogen and progesterone also affect your sleep cycle and the increase in these hormones can disrupt your normal sleep rhythm, resulting in insomnia. The first trimester In the first trimester the baby is still very small. Your uterus does grow significantly in these first months. Because the embryo is still very low, the growth puts extra pressure on your bladder. Hello, nighttime toilet visits, goodbye sleep. And don't forget all the other complaints you may experience at the beginning (if you're lucky) of pregnancy (yes, those hormones again) such as nausea and heartburn. That doesn't really promote sleep either. An (early) pregnancy often comes with worries. There are so many things to think about and arrange (midwife, postnatal care, childcare, you name it) and besides, it's also quite exciting, is everything going well? All these worries and thoughts can cause your cortisol levels (stress hormone) to rise and keep you awake worrying. Try to talk about it, or do breathing exercises or mindfulness for example. A notebook next to your bed can also help, write down all your worries and your to do list and (hopefully) let them go until the next morning. Finally sleeping again In the second trimester, sleeping often becomes a bit easier. The hormones stabilize, the uterus moves increasingly upward, reducing the pressure on your bladder and with a bit of luck you also don't have as much trouble with those annoying complaints that made the first months quite difficult. This doesn't mean that insomnia doesn't occur at all in this middle phase of pregnancy. The baby in your belly becomes increasingly active, very nice, but often this happens precisely when you want to rest and then that little one keeps you up. The second trimester is also known for other ailments, such as as restless legs. Making it harder to fall asleep. Or maybe not? Yes, we said it before: in the third trimester, insomnia figures rise to 80%. Something to look forward to then ;). But.. you're not the only one lying awake during the final stretch. How does it happen? Your belly is getting bigger and bigger, finding a comfortable sleeping position can be quite a challenge. It is recommended to sleep on your left side. Belly sleepers probably had to give up their favorite position much earlier, but even if you like to sleep on your back or right side, you may now notice that these positions are no longer comfortable. On your right side you may have more heartburn, and on your back the weight of the baby can cause important blood vessels to be pinched. Don't worry, you can safely continue to lie in this position, as your body will naturally give a signal if something is not quite right, but it can cause a nauseous feeling (just when you thought you were finally over that..). And then you don't sleep so well. Also, in the third trimester you may experience more aches and shortness of breath. All reasons why you sleep a bit less well and less deeply. What can you do? Okay, so a thousand and one reasons why you're awake during pregnancy, but the most important question of course is: what can you do about it? Make sure you have a nice and relaxing bedtime routine. Don't scroll endlessly, but take a shower or bath before bed and read a book. It really doesn't matter how you spend the last hour, do what makes you feel good. A cup of relaxing tea (you might have to pee later at night), write down your thoughts or events from the day, take a short walk or listen to a nice meditation. See what works for you! As tempting as it is: try not to take long naps. Yes, it's quite a challenge not to lie down for an hour when you're so tired, but try to stick to power naps of a maximum of 30 minutes. Enough to get some fresh energy again, but not so much that you find it harder to fall asleep in the evening. Suffering from heartburn? Try eating small portions throughout the day (instead of three large meals, you could switch to six smaller meals for example). Also, it's better not to eat anything within two hours before you want to sleep, and avoid fatty or spicy food! It may seem obvious, but avoid caffeine at least eight hours before bedtime. Can't find a comfortable position, maybe a pregnancy pillow can help you. With this pillow you can support certain parts of your body a little extra, for example your belly or your back. Also, if you have pelvic complaints, a pillow between your legs can help relieve the pressure. There are different types and shapes to help you get the right support. Suffering from restless legs? Try a (foot) bath with our magnesium bath salt! It's know to help to relax muscles! If your insomnia significantly affects your daily functioning or mental health, always contact your midwife or doctor! They can help you further with tips or medication.

How do you protect your skin against harmful sun rays? We asked dermatologist Elodie Mendels what to pay attention to.

To prevent sunburn, it's important to protect yourself well. Shade, sleeves, sunscreen. We asked dermatologist Elodie Mendels how best to prevent your skin from burning in the sun and what to pay attention to. Here are some great tips so you can go out well protected this summer. First of all, who is Elodie? Elodie Mendels is a dedicated academic pediatric dermatologist at the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital. This means she helps children and their parents/caregivers with the treatment and management of various skin conditions. In addition to her work in practice, she also enjoys and finds it important to inform people through other channels with tips, tricks and solutions for skin problems.   Earlier we talked about sunburn and how to prevent it. You mentioned avoid, cover and apply. How exactly do you do that? "How you do it exactly depends on each child, but the most important rules are: apply half an hour beforehand, so the sunscreen can dry well and a protective layer forms. Then repeat it every two hours. Every child is different, but generally they're more likely to go along with it if you involve them in the routine. Let them play with the stick or tube, for example, or apply it to each other. It's important to make sunscreen application really part of the daily routine." "Also apply well under clothing, especially under thin rompers or clothing made of thin, loosely woven and light fabrics. With normal, tightly woven clothing this is not necessarily necessary, but then it is important that you apply well under the edges of the clothing. This is one of the most forgotten spots, along with: the tip of the nose, the chin, around the eyes, the edges of the ears and the lips. So don't forget these spots either!" "You'd better avoid sunscreen spray for children. By that I mean a spray that mists in the air like perfume. These don't provide good protection because it disperses and little reaches the skin. It can also be dangerous to inhale the spray. Of course you can use a lotion-like spray that you spray on the skin and spread yourself."   What often goes wrong when protecting babies and kids from the sun? "There are a few things that are often found difficult or forgotten during application. It can be difficult to integrate sunscreen application into the daily routine and apply it in time before we go out in the sun. Also, it's not always repeated every two hours or after swimming, while it's really important to repeat it. Sunscreen is wiped off quickly. Really don't forget to apply those spots I mentioned earlier! Apply a thick layer too, because a thin layer has much less effect. And finally, between 12 and 3 o'clock it's best to stay out of direct sunlight, although this can sometimes be a challenge. It's important to keep babies up to 1 year old always out of the sun."   How thick should you apply then exactly? "People often think that with SPF30 you can stay in the sun about thirty times longer without burning. That's not quite how it works. The effectiveness of sunscreen SPF is determined in a laboratory. A specific amount of cream is used to test this. In practice, you never apply your sunscreen as thickly as in lab tests. How thick you should apply exactly is always difficult to explain. There are lots of tips, for example how many teaspoons you should use on which body part, but in the end no one really measures it that way. I used to say: apply as thick as a peanut butter sandwich, but everyone spreads a sandwich differently, so that advice doesn't really help either. It just comes down to applying it nice and thick and definitely not too thin. And repeat it every two hours and after swimming, then you should be good to go."   Don't you clog the skin when you apply such a thick layer of sunscreen? "You can't clog the skin, you're just putting a layer on top. However, sunscreen residue can end up in your pores, causing inflammation and for example a pimple. If you're prone to that, buy a sunscreen that's a bit less oily. There are also anti-acne sunscreens." "In principle, you can wash most sunscreens off with water in the shower or bath. You can also use a facial cleanser or makeup remover. If you can't get your sunscreen off completely, you can also use baby oil."   Does it matter what kind of sunscreen you use? "The most important thing is that you use sun protection that you like to apply. If you like applying something, you're much more likely to use it often and well." "There are two different types of filters in sunscreen: mineral and chemical*. A mineral sunscreen has a UV filter made from a natural product, such as zinc, but it's still processed with a chemical process in the laboratory. Chemical UV filters are made in a laboratory. Some people prefer not to use chemical filters anymore, because there used to be a number of UV filters that turned out to be harmful, like oxybenzone. Those have long been banned in the EU and the fear of chemical filters is unfounded. Both mineral and non-mineral filters remain on the skin, only mineral molecules are much larger, which is why mineral sunscreen is often slightly thicker. Sometimes the molecules are made smaller into nano-particles so no white haze remains and the cream spreads better**." "Whether you use mineral or chemical filters doesn't matter, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with what you apply. In the Netherlands you need at least SPF30, but SPF50 is even better. Especially because people often don't apply thick enough. Also choose a sunscreen with UVB and UVA filter. For young children, preferably use sunscreen without fragrance, they really don't need that." "Water-resistant sunscreen stays a bit better in place because components are added that make it stick better to the skin. But it's definitely not waterproof. That's why it's important to reapply after swimming or sweating." "In short: apply a cream you like, minimum SPF30 and with UVA and UVB protection." *At Naïf we prefer to call this non-mineral, why exactly you can read here. **At Naïf we don't make the molecules smaller into nano-particles. That makes our sunscreen non-nano. How it works exactly with nano and non-nano sunscreen you can read here.

Summer vacation with children - 11 insider tips you didn't know yet

Summer is just around the corner and anticipation for family vacation is growing. But how do you prepare best so that the trip becomes an unforgettable experience for everyone? We all know advice like "Pack a travel pharmacy" or "Don't forget sunscreen." That's why we have some special tips for you today that you almost certainly didn't know yet: 1. Waterproof bag(s) A so-called wetbag (or maybe even two) can help you in two situations: in a smaller version, it keeps your valuables free from sand and water. A larger version is perfect for transporting the wet swimwear of the whole family from the pool or beach to your accommodation without getting all your other belongings wet. This leads us straight to our next tip.. 2. Travel clothesline A small, portable clothesline can be very practical, especially if you're traveling for longer periods. It takes up hardly any space in your suitcase, but it's a real game changer. You can quickly and easily dry wet swimwear or washed clothes on the balcony or terrace of your accommodation. This way you don't have to worry about your swimsuit blowing off the balcony railing if it gets windy. 3. Small cooler bag Weighs hardly anything and folds up compactly: pack a small, portable cooler bag. Even if you usually don't have a freezer for cooling packs in your accommodation, the bag still insulates a bit and water bottles stay pleasantly cool at the pool or beach – especially important on hot days or during longer trips. 4. Night light for the accommodation A small, portable night light can work wonders. It helps your children feel more secure in the unfamiliar environment and helps with a relaxed night's sleep. Particularly practical are models that can be charged via USB. 5. Child-friendly headphones Children from about three years old are delighted with child-friendly headphones. These have a decibel limit and protect the ears of the little ones from excessive noise exposure. They are not only safer but also more comfortable for little ears and allow children to enjoy their favorite music or movies without disturbing others. 6. Change of clothes for arrival Sometimes the trip starts with rather mixed weather at home. If the trip is to a warm place, pack an airy t-shirt and short pants for the kids. You can change the kids when you arrive, so no one has to sit sweating in long clothes on the bus/car (bad mood guaranteed). 7. Water shoes Are flip-flops constantly coming off or slipping from feet? Water shoes are not only practical at the beach but also on trips to lakes or rivers. They protect your children's feet from sharp stones, shells or hot sand and stay firmly on the foot - hard to shake off 😉 8. Travel high chair An inflatable or folding travel high chair is perfect for meals on the go. It's lightweight and compact and allows your baby or toddler to sit safely and comfortably at the table, even if there's no children's high chair in the restaurant. 9. GPS tracker for children Train stations and airports are exciting and very busy places. Children suddenly discover something and run off – sometimes you can't look fast enough. On the outbound and return journey by train or plane, a small GPS tracker (such as an Apple AirTag) can provide you with additional security. It can be attached to the wrist with a bracelet or in a keychain attached to a shoe and allows you to quickly locate your child at any time. 10. Phone number on the arm When you're in confusing places, a little creativity doesn't hurt: write your phone number on your child's arm with a waterproof marker. If something should happen, your child can show the number to an adult and you can be called. Special tip: Teach your child that if they lose you, they should ideally approach other parents with children, as they may be best able to assess the situation and act quickly. 11. UV protection swimwear (in bright colors!) A UV protection suit not only protects against sunburn but is also a practical alternative to conventional swimwear. Why practical? Because it covers more skin than a bathing suit or swim trunks, and you can finish applying sun protection products much faster. Combine it with a sun hat for optimal protection. Important: Choose swimwear preferably in bright, eye-catching colors such as neon orange or signal pink. These colors are more visible in the water and make it easier to keep your child in sight, even in a busy pool or on the beach. Enjoy your vacation - don't forget sun protection products ;-)  

Mineral sunscreen with a non-mineral booster, how does that work?

At Naïf we believe that mineral sunscreen is the best option for the sensitive skin of babies. If you've been paying attention, you've seen that we've also added a non-mineral booster to our 2024 sunscreen formula. Yet we still talk about mineral sunscreen. Read here exactly how that works. Every year we try to improve ourselves and our products, so that we have less negative impact and our products become even nicer to use. Mineral sunscreen is quite a challenge, it often leaves a white haze and can be difficult to apply. In our sunscreen formula this year we've added bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (BEMT) as a booster. Why we did this, you could read earlier in this blog about our updated formula. BEMT is a new generation UV filter, made in the lab, and therefore non-mineral.   Mineral sunscreen As the first Dutch mineral sunscreen brand, we've had to figure out a lot ourselves. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. Where our sunscreen once started as a kind of white clay, we now have a fine product that spreads well and protects well! Every year we work on our formula, to make sure it keeps getting better. This year means that in addition to our previous booster based on pongamia seeds, we've added a second booster to improve the spreadability and effectiveness of our formula. Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (BEMT) is, as mentioned before, a non-mineral UV filter. Yet we still talk about mineral sunscreen. Why? Because the basis of our UV filter (and therefore our sunscreen) is still mineral, namely zinc oxide. What's more: the sunscreen contains more than eight times more zinc oxide (25%) than BEMT (3%). And so the basis of our UV filter remains zinc oxide and we still speak of a mineral sunscreen.   Why BEMT? There are few options if you want to improve mineral sunscreen to guarantee consistent high protection (even if the sunscreen, for example, hasn't been shaken well before use). You always need boosters for that. Besides BEMT, another option is butyloctyl salicylate. However, we believe that this ingredient should not be used by pregnant women, because there are studies that suggest this substance can have negative effects on pregnancy duration and birth weight. And that's why we don't want to add it as a booster. No negative effects are known for Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine on skin and the planet. We therefore think there is a future in this new generation of non-mineral UV filter as an addition to mineral sunscreen. This hybrid form of sun protection, where the basis is mineral and there is a supporting role for non-mineral UV filters, is already widely used in other countries such as the United States, but is still relatively unknown in Europe. As pioneers on the Dutch market, we're always looking for new innovations to provide the best possible protection.   Transparency And we're not sneaky about it at all. We're proud of our product and think it's important that you as a consumer know exactly what you're putting on your skin. That's why we always communicate clearly about changes in our blogs and on our product pages. Is it still not entirely clear to you, or do you have other questions? Please let us know, so we can improve ourselves (in addition to our sunscreen)!  

The science behind our sunscreen: zinc oxide explained

It will come as no surprise to you that our sunscreen contains a UV filter based on zinc oxide. This makes it a mineral sunscreen. We made the choice for zinc oxide very deliberately, because zinc oxide has many advantages! We therefore believe that sunscreen with a UV filter based on zinc oxide is the best option and we would like to explain to you why. First of all, mineral sunscreen then. But what about the non-mineral UV filter that we added to our formula this year as a booster? We believe in constantly innovating our products. As the first Dutch brand with mineral sunscreen, we take steps every year to develop the ideal sunscreen. This year we added this booster. It is important to know that our product contains roughly eight times more zinc oxide than Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine. Therefore, we can confidently say that zinc oxide is the main component of our UV filter. Do you want to know why we added this booster? You can read that here. We would also like to explain to you why we now believe in a non-mineral UV filter after all (and why we no longer talk about mineral vs chemical).In the field of sunscreen, we believe that zinc oxide is the best choice. Is it perfect? No, but we do think it is the least harmful. We are happy to explain why. It is a somewhat technical story, so bear with us.We consider zinc oxide the safest option because it breaks down into Zn2+ ions, which occur naturally in the sea. Is it completely safe? Well, everything we do has an impact, but we always strive for the least harmful option. Some studies have shown possible negative effects of zinc oxide on coral, algae and fish. But these studies suggest that the observed effects are more related to a local increase in the concentration of zinc ions than to the presence of zinc oxide itself.It is important to note that most studies use concentrations of zinc oxide that are much higher than what realistically could end up in the ocean. Real and realistic effects of zinc oxide on the environment, as well as exposure and risk matrices, have been extensively investigated. Even if we all start using zinc oxide and the concentration of zinc ions in the water naturally increases as a result, zinc oxide in sunscreen creams does not pose a threat to sea life. Our research suggests that it is still less harmful than the use of some other UV filters.Why we think zinc oxide is the best option:Zinc is a natural element with a complex cycle. It is present in soils and water, and the concentration varies naturally through natural events, the local ecosystem, interactions with other chemicals and physical parameters such as pH. Of course, human activities also influence the distribution of zinc on earth. Although we don't create zinc, we actively mine it and make it more available in our environment. Various industries use zinc or zinc-derived materials, such as mining, automotive industry, paint, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In 2023, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals represented approximately 10-12% of the global zinc oxide market. Zinc oxide is just one of the industrially used zinc sources. The impact of sunscreen creams on total human zinc use is relatively small, but we take this seriously and thoroughly investigate the potential risks of our sunscreen to the ecosystem.Various studies report an increase in zinc content in local waters and soils, with human activities seeming to play a role. Some analyses can show that part of the zinc increase in specific locations can be traced back to mining activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution, with virtually no impact from current activities. Zinc plays an important role in the physiological processes of most species, including humans.In investigating the role of zinc oxide and sunscreen creams, some studies have shown possible negative effects of zinc oxide on coral, algae and fish. These studies suggest that observed effects are more likely attributable to a local increase in the concentration of zinc ions as a result of zinc oxide breakdown in water, than to the presence of zinc oxide itself. From our literature review, we found that zinc oxide can have an impact on sea life, especially on species that are already sensitive to zinc. The form of the sunscreen (nano or non-nano zinc oxide) does not appear to affect these species more than other forms. The contribution to the local increase of zinc in soil and water is likely negligible compared to other industries, both in the past and now.Notably, many more studies have been conducted on the environmental effects of mineral sunscreens (75%) than non-mineral (25%), which may exaggerate negative conclusions about these filters. To get a complete and clear picture, it is important to also investigate other UV filters and their impact on the ecosystem.There are few UV filters active in the UVA1-range. Protection against UVA1 radiation is important because it contributes the most to long-term sun damage to the skin, including skin cancer. Therefore, sunscreens must contain some UVA1 filters to provide broad-spectrum protection, including: Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) Ecamsule (Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid) – unique to L'Oréal due to patents Oxybenzone Octocrylene Zinc oxide BEMT (Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine) – new generation filter MBBT (Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol) - new generation filter DHHB (Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate) – new generation filter Each filter has its own specifications in terms of formulation and permitted maximum amount, which affects how many filters need to be added together to achieve the desired protection. Until now, only zinc oxide could be added alone as a broad-spectrum UV filter.AvobenzoneAvobenzone, or Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, is the most common UVA1 filter in non-mineral sunscreens. Some studies show that this filter affects specific marine species and may have hormone-disrupting effects. A risk of avobenzone is its photo instability, which means it must be associated with other compounds to be stable, which can cause skin reactions. It is a synthetic molecule that bioaccumulates in the environment, meaning the concentration increases and is difficult to remove in our water treatment facilities. EWG reported that this ingredient was in the FDA's 2019 proposal to not list it as safe and effective due to existing results and lack of strong data.OxybenzoneOxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3, is extensively studied for its role in coral bleaching and risk to some marine species. Therefore, since 2021, it has been included in Hawaii's ban to protect their coral reefs. It is also a synthetic molecule that bioaccumulates and is difficult to remove from our wastewater. It also has health issues, with it suspected of being a hormone disruptor. However, it is important to note that it has been assessed by the SCCS and declared safe within the conditions of use in sunscreen.OctocryleneOctocrylene is recently being investigated for an extension of the Hawaii ban. Some studies report accumulation and potential hormone-disrupting effects on some marine species. Recently, the SCCS published their opinion on octocrylene for human consumption and concluded that it is safe at the concentration in sunscreen, as the findings were not convincing enough.From our research into BEMT and DHHB, no health or environmental risks have been reported with use of this filter.BEMTOur literature review of BEMT showed no reported health or environmental risks with the use of this filter. It is a stable filter and remains on the skin due to its size, minimizing the risk of skin irritation. On its own it can already provide an SPF20 at maximum use, making it a suitable booster for other UVA filter protection. It is also expected to be approved by the FDA in 2025, which is known for its strict guidelines for accepting new UV filters, making BEMT the first new UV filter to be approved in the US in more than 20 years.From our initial screening of MBBT and DHHB, no reported health or environmental risks have emerged with the use of these filters. So far we have not conducted an in-depth investigation of MBBT and DHHB, but they are on our radar to determine our position on these two new filters. Our conclusionAfter carefully reviewing various options, we have had to make some compromises. Because protection against UVA1 is important, at least one of the UVA1 filters must be included in the formula. Based on our current knowledge and with an eye toward environmental and human safety, we have chosen not to use avobenzone, octocrylene and oxybenzone in our sunscreens. We have focused on zinc oxide as our best option.New generation filters such as BEMT and DHHB offer possibilities for hybrid formulas based on zinc oxide. Unfortunately, they cannot be used on their own for UVA protection, and therefore must always be combined with another UV filter. In our case, zinc oxide is therefore the only option.We do believe in hybrid sunscreen formulas with these new generation UV filters, because they don't penetrate the skin and are therefore suitable for sensitive skin. Based on the studies so far, they also show no harmful effects for humans and the environment. Zinc oxide-based sunscreen always needs a booster. Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine is known for its high effectiveness at low concentrations, making it popular for high SPF levels. It is also praised for its excellent photostability and because it improves the stability of other sunscreen ingredients. And that stability is precisely what matters with mineral sunscreen.We especially believe that we must continue to evolve and act with the knowledge we have now. This means we don't think there is one perfect way, but we can do our best every year to make the best choices with the knowledge available by then. That's what good care means to us, and we will always communicate this as transparently as possible.