If you follow me on Instagram or pay close attention here on the blog you will have spotted posts over last year about Ultrasun, a professional sun protection and skincare brand that make exceptional sun care products.
Ultrasun
Ultrasun is a Swiss company with over 25 years of experience in developing advanced professional sun protection products. What sets them apart from others is their focus not only on products that are professional and truly deliver but on products that customers will want to use.
Much of the research and development work that goes on focuses on product formulation to ensure that compliance is high. This is something that is important to Ultrasun as the statistics show that skin cancer, which in 86% of cases is caused by sun exposure, is something that can be prevented. So for Ultrasun, the question is why when this can be prevented, are people not using sun care products?
The answer they believe is in the formulation of these products and peoples aversion to typical sun care products which can be uncomfortable, leaving the skin feeling occluded and unable to breath.
Ultrasun have a wide range of product formulations in their range, 40 in total, to ensure that there will be something for everyone, all ages and skin types, ensuring that as many people as possible use sun care to protect their skin.
Another inspiring thing about this brand is their commitment to raising the profile of and necessity of sun care amongst black and ethnic skin tones. They are equally as committed to ensuring that there is a formulation for not only every skin type, but for every skin tone.
The science and statistics are quite alarming when comparing survival rates between black and white skin, with white skin achieving 91% and black skin 65% respectively. This statistic enforces the danger of the misconception that black and ethnic skins don’t need sun protection. Demonstrably they do and Unltrasun are using their expertise to elevate this message.
I was lucky enough to have recently been invited along to a virtual Ultrasun presentation where the product range and the science behind their success was discussed by the fantastic Abi Cleeve who launched the brand in the UK 20 years ago. Abi is also the force behind the amazing skincare brand Skinsense.
At the presentation we learned bout the valuable work that Ultrasun are doing in Uganda with the Albino communities. Their Advantage Africa project is truly inspiring and speaks to the commitment of this company to improve the lives of everyone through education and the use of professional sun protection products. If you’d like to read more about their work in Africa, you can find out more here.
The Science
Before getting into the products and in particular my favourites and most recommended, it would be helpful to explain a little more about what truly sets these products apart from their competitors.
Aside from the companies ethos and commitment to marginalised communities and an inclusive message for all skin tones, Ultrasun have some serious science behind their products which put them head and shoulders above other sun protection products.
So lets talk sun and why we need to protect our skin:
UVA and UVB are types of electromagnetic radiation emitted from our beautiful sun but have potentially dangerous consequences if we don’t protect ourselves from them.
UVB stands for Ultraviolet type B and is the type of UV we are most familiar with and the type that most cosmetic and sun care products provide protection against. This type of UV ray has a shorter wavelength which means that is doesn’t penetrate the deeper layers of our skin. UVB is associated with burning and what we experience as sunburn when we spend too long in the sun without protection.
UVA stands for, you guessed it, Ultraviolet type A. UVA has a higher wavelength than UVB and although the energy of UVA is less than UVB, because of the higher wavelength it can penetrate much deeper into our skin taking with it the damaging affects of UV rays deep into our bodies.
Both UVA and UVB rays cause burning and skin ageing but at different levels of our skins structure. Both can cause damage to the cells and DNA and can lead to cancers. UVA however, due to it’s higher wavelength and it’s ability to penetrate deeply into the layers of our skin is particularly concerning.
Ultrasun professional sun protection has been formulated to protect against both UVA and UVB with an impressive 90-95% UVA absorption rate across the product range. This is in addition to each products individual Sun Protection Factor (SPF).
This impressive UVA protection is achieved through Lameller technology. Lameller formulation encapsulates ingredients and facilitates absorption and delivery at deeper levels of the stratum. Furthermore this clever formulation means that once the product is absorbed at these deeper levels, it isn’t affected by perspiration, swimming, towelling dry etc. and so it continues to provide deep protection for longer. Very clever indeed.
Ultrasun products also contain infrared A and blue light protection due to their combined physical (mineral) and chemical formulations. This is good news for those of us who are city dwellers and subjected to higher levels of environmental pollutants and those of us who enjoy spending time on our mobile devices due to the blue light emissions and the impact this has on our skin.
Products are non-comedogenic, meaning they don’t block your pores due to the careful work that goes into formulations, ensuring skin feels that it can breath and cool as well as perspire naturally.
They contain actives and antioxidants which mean they perform like skincare rather than just sun protection products.
Products are also fragrance free and designed for the most sensitive of skins meaning that hey can be enjoyed by everyone, including babies.
Ultrasun Professional Sun Protection
Ultrasun have a concise but varied product range with 40 formulations to ensure that there really is a product suited to your needs.
At our virtual presentation we learnt that 2 new and exciting products will be joining the range in May; an SPF 50 face spray and a hand cream with Lameller technology and SPF 25.
Ultrasun SPF 50 Face Spray
I was delighted when I received my complimentary* products to find that a face spray with SPF50 will be joining the ranks shortly.
This face and scalp mist spray is lightweight and hydrating but with all the protection of SPF50 and UVA filtration of 95%. I love the ease of this product and the fact that I can easily top up my protection throughout the day.
The mist spray will provide protection over your makeup, but, if you remember the clever Lammellar technology I was explaining above, you must make sure that your first application of this or any of the other sun protection products are applied first to clean dry skin at the beginning of your day or before exposure to sun to make sure it gets deep into your skin. Topping up over makeup throughout the day is fine thereafter.
The spray like all Ultrasun products is dosed and a spray of 8 seconds will ensure complete protection.
The mist is also designed to be used on scalp which is often a forgotten part of the body and is extremely susceptible to sun damage. Because the formulation is non greasy and doesn’t need to be rubbed in it is perfect for application to the scalp and over makeup.
Ultrasun professional sun protection products are designed with sensitive skins in mind and this product is no different. It will be great for people who suffer with skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and also prickly heat because skin is able to breath and perspire normally whilst wearing this product. In fact, it is so suitable for sensitive skins that the product can be taken all the way up to the lash line, just like all of the Ultrasun face products.
The spray comes in a handy 75ml bottle which will fit comfortably in your bag. Perfect for on the go. Keep your eyes peeled for the anticipated May launch. I think this nifty product will become a beauty staple for so many of us.
Ultrasun SPF 25 Hand: Moisturising & Anti-pigmentation Hand Cream
I was thrilled to learn that this product had been re-imagined, reformulated and reintroduced to the ranks. This hand cream will be back in the product range from May this year.
I have previously used Ultrasun hand cream for pigmentation issues and protection of my hands which developed when I started driving a convertible car. It’s something we so often overlook and I was absolutely guilty of this too.
I noticed after the first summer that my hands had lots of pigmentation spots on them and were very dry and had aged about 10 years! After some research and a recommendation from one of my favourite beauty bloggers Sharon from Back to You Beauty, I purchased the hand cream and over a period of about 3 months it really helped with the pigmentation, noticeably reducing it.
The following summer I continued to use it and not only did it protect my hands from further damage but the pigmentation completely resolved.
This new hand cream is a lower SPF at 25 as compared to SPF 30 previously, but still offers all the fantastic science and protection infused in all of the Ultrasun sun care product ranges.
First and foremost it is a hydrating hand cream with the Lameller technology, which means the hydration will sink deep into you hands and won’t be degraded by regular hand washing or alcohol gels which make skin so dry; a very current issue affecting all of us right now.
I’m so happy to see this hand cream again and I can’t recommend it enough if you have pigmentation issues you’d like to address.
My Ultrasun product recommendations
I’ve been using Ultrasun professional sun protection products for a couple of years now but really got introduced the wider product range last year when I was kindly gifted several products to try.
Ultrasun really is an authority on professional sun care products but in particular a few really stand out to me. I would confidently recommend anything from the range and would encourage you to review the range and think about your own specific needs. Ultrasun are the formulation kings and queens of professional sun care and really work hard to ensure that there is something for everyone; every skin type, every skin tone.
But these little beauties are my dream team:
Ultrasun SPF 50 Face Tinted Honey
My absolute daily ride or die. All day all year. I use this tinted face SPF after moisturising and before applying my makeup. It absorbs quickly with absolutely no residue and has no pilling when makeup is applied afterwards. The tinted honey shade is amazingly adaptable to all skin tones too, I recently put this on my husband who has medium fair skin whilst I am dark and it was perfect for both of us. It doesn’t cause that nasty cast that puts a lot of people off wearing and SPF on their face either.
I suffer with rosacea and have very sensitive skin but this product doesn’t bother my skin at all. I also had a lot less prickly heat last summer, which was a stunner, and I was able to enjoy days at the beach and in the courtyard in the sun with no issues.
I can’t imagine not using this product. It costs around £28 for 40ml and because it is a dosed product (1 pump for face 2 pumps for face and neck) the product lasts well. It will be on my repurchase list but with a reliable shelf life of 24 months, I don’t imagine I will need to repurchase until Autumn despite using this every day. Incredible value for money. Available here
Ultrasun SPF 30 Body Tan Activator
Say hello to your best tan ever! This is a superb body sun care product that boasts all of the amazing Ultrasun protection against UVA, UVB, infrared light and Blue light. In addition it actually helps to intensify your tan using actives that with the help of the Lameller technology, penetrate deep into the skin and help to activate melanin production. This means you have the deepest healthiest and most long lasting tan. I absolutely loved using this product last summer and will be repurchasing this year when the sun eventually comes out to play. This product costs around £38 and has a 2 year shelf life from opening which means you can reliably have a full 2 summers use from it, making it very cost effective. Available here
Ultrasun After Sun Tan Booster
This lovely after sun gel is the perfect companion to the Tan Activator. It contains 2%DHA to help enhance your tan whilst cooling the skin and replenishing moisture, perfect and necessary after a day in the sunshine. As with all of the Ultrasun products this is lightweight, non-greasy and fast absorbing. It costs around £24 for a 150ml bottle and again has a long reliable shelf life which means you can get a couple of seasons use from it.
Ultrasun Glimmer SPF 20
Oh this is a treat! Perfect for late afternoon or early evening when the sun is going down. I don’t usually use products below a factor 25 but I make an exception for this absolute dream boat. And as I said, it’s perfect for when the sun is getting lower and cooler.
This products has added light reflecting pigments which give the most beautiful sheen and glimmer to the skin. It brightens the skin due to the clever light reflection and is again equipped with the clever technology of all of the Ultrasun range. It is beauty and performance packed up into one clever bottle.
This is perfect to pop on at the end of the day after being in the sun if you are going for drinks or somewhere that you want to show off you tan whilst still needing some sun protection, with an added hint of glimmer. It’s just lovely.
It is priced around £24 for 150ml and offers the same longevity and great value for money that all of the ultrasun product range provides. Available here
I’m yet to find anything that I dislike in the Ultrasun product range, but these are my stand out items. Of course I fully expect to be adding the new face spray to the ranks in due course and I wouldn’t be without the hand cream.
I can confidently recommend the product range to you. Enjoy and safe tanning x
*This post contains gifted products. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my experience of the products.
