UV Protection for Face and Lips

What are UVA UVB Filters?

Your skin protects you from the environment, but it needs a bit of help to protect you from UVA and UVB rays.

Ultraviolet light (UV light) is radiation from the sun and is invisible to the human eye. UV light can penetrate deep into our skin and is responsible for sunburn, the formation of free radicals that can damage our skin, and for increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Sunscreen helps protect your skin against damage caused by exposure to UV rays. There are two types of UVA/UVB filters that can be used in sunscreen to help block off UV radiation – mineral (physical) and chemical. Mineral and chemical sunscreens use different types of UV filters to achieve sun protection.

Mineral sunscreen. Mineral UV filters (typically zinc oxide and titanium oxide) work in a unique way, creating tiny mirrors that reflect and scatter sunlight away from your skin. These are usually classified as physical filters, and they might leave a white film on the skin.

Chemical sunscreen. Chemical UV filters absorb damaging UV rays and convert them into thermal energy which is released it from your skin.

UVA filters protect the skin from UVA rays, which make up 95 percent of the UV light reaching the Earth's surface. UVA rays also penetrate deep into the skin and are known to contribute to speeding up the skin aging process.

Similarly, UVB filters protect the skin from UVB light, which is the main cause of sunburn and the development of skin cancer. It only penetrates the outer layers of the skin but is no less dangerous than UVA light.

More about UVA UVB Filters

Because both UVA and UVB rays are harmful, you need protection from both kinds of rays. To make sure you're getting effective UVA as well as UVB coverage, look for a sunscreen that protects you from both – look for sunscreens labelled with BROAD SPECTRUM sun protection.

UV levels are highest during the middle of the day and vary in strength depending on the season and your location. For the safety of your skin, check the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s daily forecast for sun protection times in your area before you go outside.

Every product in the NIVEA SUN range today contains UVA and UVB filters.

Always read the label and follow the directions of use. Sunscreens are only one part of sun protection. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure. Reapply frequently.