SUN PROTECTION KNOWLEDGE

This icon indicates that the sunscreen protects you from UVA and UVB rays. But what does that actually mean?
UVA and UVB rays differ in their effect on the skin:
UVA rays have a longer wavelength and penetrate deep into the skin. They are the main cause of long-term damage such as premature skin ageing and wrinkles.
UVB rays have a shorter but stronger energy. They affect the upper layers of the skin, cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Adequate UVA protection should be at least one third of the stated UVB protection (SPF). This means that if a sunscreen has an SPF of 30, for example, the UVA protection must be at least 10.
In the EU and Switzerland, this is a legal requirement and products that meet this standard often have a UVA symbol in a circle on the packaging. This symbol indicates that the UVA protection meets the minimum standard required to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UVA rays.