In Sun Creams We Pray

It is in the heart of an empty, wide and black universe that the only major light that emanates is from the sun. This Sun is the star at the centre of our Solar System and has inspired many myths, legends, symbolism and curiosity. Before science took over reason, ancient times granted us several theses, and hypotheses varying from one culture to another. Thus, we speak of mythology, where gods have embodied the sun. It has inspired cults and adoration, many people, including Socrates, greeted the Sun and offered him daily prayers.
Find out more in In Sun Creams We Pray here.

Photoshoot by Hannah Taylor-Eddington

The word “Sun” comes from a derivative of the classical Latin “sol, solis” designating it as a star and its divinity and representing power. This power ball’s characteristic inspires positiveness, it embodies lifeforce. This is why it occupies a dominant place in every culture. But let’s not forget that the sun is dangerous for our skin, and it’s essential to protect ourselves. The application of Sun creams is a must-have, just like the power of gods in mythology, thanks to their supremacy coming from the symbol of the sun, they have delivered us a gift; solar cream.

The most popular representative of the sun comes from Greek mythology. Helios embodies the personification of the Sun itself. Helios was the son of the titans Hyperion and Theia. He was represented as a young man of great beauty. He had rays surrounding his head, which formed golden a crown of sunbeams.
Today at the British Museum, find Helios represented on black-figured and red-figured winged horses in pottery decoration.

The only place in Greece where the cult of Helios was important was on the island of Rhodes. Where his emblematic statue from antiquity named Colossus of Rhodes, was represented in bronze and used to dominate the port of the city. There is no longer any trace of the colossus today. In ancient times, the Colossus of Rhodes was considered the sixth of the Seven Wonders of the World.

whilst in ancient Egypt, the Sun remained important and unchallenged. In ancient Egypt, Ra was a respected supreme Sun God and was worshipped for bringing order in life to the universe through light. His cult began in the city of Heliopolis, before spreading to all of Egypt. For the community, Ra, every day used to control time.

The sun is generally seen as a masculine and active principle. However, some people have long represented the sun as a feminine principle. We find in particular, in Japan, for whom the Sun was Kami Amaterasu. The great sun goddess of Japanese mythology. She is even represented on the Japanese flag. The land of the rising sun, disk without rays. She was seen to create rice cultivation, wheat cultivation and silkworm breeding.

The only real human being who embodied the name of the sun, in human form, was Louis XIV. He was and remains the most famous and most outstanding King of France. The motto of this monarch was “Above the rest of men”.
He was fascinated by ancient art, this name comes from Apollo, the Greek God represented in majesty.

Just like a God and the representation of the sun itself. He was the one whom everyone accompanied at all hours of the day like a sun that we see rising and setting. The sun, powerful, burning, luminous and so all the attention revolved around his person. The emblem of the sun was therefore a perfect match for him.

Just as those who worshipped those ancient gods respected and feared their power. Today people respect the sun itself and the power it wields. He can increase one’s enjoyment at the beach or swimming pool. But it can also damage skin and leave you burned if you’re not careful. That’s why it is beneficial to wear sun creams. The biggest damage we can do to our skin is not to protect ourselves from the sun’s damaging rays.

So it is essential to find sun care products adapted to your skin.
Sunscreens are all designed to protect us from the sun’s harmful effects and protect us from Ultra energetic rays that are very dangerous from 12 pm to 4 pm.

UVAs are skin-damaging long waves that can penetrate through the hypodermis tissue, while UVBs are short waves that cause redness and burns, which can lead to skin cancer. Skin damage from the sun will cause premature ageing, loss of elasticity, dark spots and pigmentation as well as other skin alterations.

The fairer and more sensitive your skin is, the higher the sun protection factor you will need. But not only for light skins, indeed for all types of skin, but it is also recommended as 100%. That’s why Sun Cream is like a modern-day gift from Sun Gods!

The images here show a small selection of creams you can choose from but do research first to check what your skin type really needs

SUN SECURE After-Sun Spray for Face & Body by SVR Hydrating soothing refreshing after-sun spray200 ml – an after-sun spray, ideal for over-heating and hypersensitive skin. Great for babies all the way through to adults.

SUN SECURE After-Sun Soothing Milk by SVR. Hydrating, Soothing and Repairing After-Sun Lotion. The Lait Après-Soleil offers essential skin care after sun exposure. A soothing, multi-repairing moisturiser is suitable for all the family.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow niacinamide sunscreen, lightweight SPF 50 to hydrate, glow, and even skin tone,  protection with a blend of gentle mineral and chemical sunscreen actives to provide the best of both worlds: ultimate sun protection & bendability. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, watermelon & aloe, this SPF hydrates, soothes, and evens skin tone and texture while it protects with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid & aloe.

If you are looking for vegan suncare. Meet, PALM & PINE. A 100% Vegan sun cream moisturizing ingredients to nourish your skin and protect against harmful UVA rays. Protected by nature. Palm & Pine is truly ocean-friendly. From product to packaging.

In the circle tin find SPF 50 ZINC – 50G, a Vegan formula⁠⁠, that is wax-based so ideal for use in water⁠⁠ with a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection⁠⁠ alongside a subtle tint ⁠⁠with lip & eye protection⁠⁠ and in the tin bottle find SPF 30 – 150ML.  The SPF 30 combines 100% natural, vegan, sustainably sourced ingredients with mineral filters to provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.  The formula is lightweight for daily use and rich in moisture but with no greasy residue.  Also, helpfully the products are fragrance-free so, therefore, suit even the most sensitive skin. 

There is also the Organic Pharmacy sunscreen, Cellular Protection Sunscreen SPF 50 The product keeps its Natural, Effective and Eco-Friendly ingredients, perfect for the ecology. Formulated with Organic Mineral sun care range combined with nourishing oils, which keep the skin hydrated with high performance. Clinically proven to protect the skin from excessive UVA and UVB radiation. Managed to prevent the skin from photo-ageing and lower the risk of skin cancer.

SUN SECURE by SVR SPF50+ Cream, Strict formulation criteria adapted to skin that is hypersensitive to the sun. Protect from very high UVA and UVB thanks to the combination of 4 organic ingredients, highly water-resistant also. Which protects the skin from damage caused by exposure to visible light (including blue light) and infrared. Biodegradable moisturizing sun cream, SUN SECURE Blur SPF50+ respects the marine environment, which is essential for the proper development of corals,
Biodegradable moisturizing sun cream SPF50+.
For hypersensitive skins, recommended for babies, children, and adults, applied on the face and body. Also available in a pocket-sized edition, 20ml – SUN SECURE Spray pocket: less bulky than a phone but just as smart, it’s the new Sun Secure pocket format

ROC Soleil-Protect (underneath) Soleil Protect Smoothing Anti-Wrinkle Fluid SPF50 Visibly reduces wrinkles, protects the youthfulness of the skin and improves its appearance. An ultra-light fluid texture that penetrates quickly and leaves no white marks. As light as a daily moisturizer.Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

Soleil Protect Anti-Brown Spot Unifying Fluid SPF50 (on top). Visibly reduces dark spots, protects the youthfulness of the skin and improves its appearance. An ultra-light fluid texture that penetrates quickly and leaves no white marks. As light as a daily moisturizer. Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin

There is also the Organic Pharmacy sunscreen, Cellular Protection Sunscreen SPF 30 The product keeps its Natural, Effective and Eco-Friendly ingredients, perfect for the ecology. Formulated with Organic Mineral sun care range combined with nourishing oils, which keep the skin hydrated with high performance. Clinically proven to protect the skin from excessive UVA and UVB radiation. Managed to prevent the skin from photo-ageing and lower the risk of skin cancer.

For original and easy application. Brush On Block is recommended. Suitable for all ages including children. A Mineral Sunscreen Powder SPF 30. Good for Sensitive Skin, and Face Protection, it’s a Natural product, which does not contain harmful chemical ingredients, only natural minerals which sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays away. Composed with Green Tea Leaf, Safflower Seed Oil, Chamomile Extract and Honeysuckle, which enrich, soothe and replenish exposed skin, making it ideal for people with acne-prone or sensitive skin. Specifically created for everyday use and can be applied over/under makeup it protects against damage from Blue Light and IR-A.

Meet DIOR BRONZE. After-sun care – ultra fresh monoï balm The new Dior Bronze after-sun care refreshes and hydrates skin dried out by the sun composed with ultra-fresh monoï balm. Upon application, the skin is moisturized, refreshed and more supple. Embellishes the skin while intensely protecting it. Tan-prolonging action is instantly and lastingly embellished, helps boost and extend the intensity of your tan, to reveal a golden, radiant tan. And on top of that, the skin is infused with the delicate scent of Polynesian flowers thanks to the Monoï Balm .

Another sun protection comes from a different model, DIOR BRONZE Sun spray. Called, DIOR BRONZE Milky Mist Sublime Glow SPF 50. The diffuser delivers a feeling of freshness and it perfectly protects the skin from photo-induced ageing and free radicals thanks to a combination of broad-spectrum UVA and UVB filters, as well as an antioxidant. Essential to have a tanning perfecting effect which gives the skin a sustained, sublime glow that is more intense, natural and longer-lasting with every day.
Water-resistant.

For all types of skin also EVE LOM Daily Protection SPF 50 is clinically proven to hydrate skin and for experiencing a revolutionary daily moisturiser. Fast-absorbing, oil-free formula that firms, brightens, hydrates and protects the skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays with dual-action UV and antioxidant shields. Lightweight and formulated with six scientific sunscreens and powerful ingredients such as Niacinamide which moisturizes and Vitamin C which derivative brightens, and Paracress Flower Extract helps to firm and lift.  Safe for all skin types free from Zinc, Titanium Dioxide and Parabens, and non-comedogenic because it’s dermatologically tested.

For all types of skin based on oil sunscreen. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, blends into all skin tones. With DR DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE, an SPF 30 suncream. It contains transparent zinc oxide and antioxidants for safe high-performance. Managed with SPF protection that visibly minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Also with Dr Dennis Gross Dark, an SPF 50 Sunscreen. Consists of keeping your skin protected from the sun. Reducing the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles and protecting your skin from UV damage, thanks to enriched antioxidants.

For an anti-ageing sunscreen, Paula’s Choice Skincare Resist Anti-Aging Moisturiser SPF 50, is a lotion texture that protects skin from the sun and leaves a soft matte finish. Great moisturiser for oily skin, combines superior UVA/UVB protection with soothing, plant-based antioxidants against harmful free radicals, among others caused by sunlight and pollution. And contains green tea extract that helps to fight the signs of ageing and protects skin from environmental damage. With a soft matte finish, this lightweight lotion leaves skin smooth, hydrated and younger-looking.

But that’s not all, Paula’s Choice skincare has Resist Anti-Aging Skin Restoring Moisturiser SPF 50. Sunscreen is perfect for anti-ageing, brown spots and very dry skin. Very moisturising, the sunscreen contains key ingredients such as Niacinamide vitamin B3 which is very effective for pores and dullness. Then Shea Butter as an antioxidant plant extracted from the karite tree is used as an emollient and has smoothing properties for dry skin.

Shiseido offers an anti-ageing cream too, called Urban Environment Age Defense Oil-Free SPF 30. For customers over 20 years old. A new lightweight, powerful UV Protection rays and antioxidants it helps shield against daily city aggressors such as pollution. Recommended for all skin types approved and tested dermatologically. This ultra-light oil-free emulsion has a silky texture that spreads smoothly and comfortably on the skin and blends in quickly. Never greasy or sticky, it leaves skin feeling smoother. It also contains hyaluronic acid and other hydrating ingredients such as spirulina energy essence, ancient blue-green algae, rich in anti-oxidants, and Black Tea Extract, which offers a triple effect for radiant skin with anti-inflammation and anti-carbonylation. Shiseido sunscreens have water-resistant and eco-designed bottles.

Sun creams are important and can’t be neglected, now more than ever. In these times when we worship this sun in slightly different ways than our ancestors, we must never forget its power and therefore protect ourselves accordingly.

.Cent Magazine, London. Be Inspired; Get Involved.