The Science

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why do I need sun protection all year?
    The sun emits different kinds of radiation, UVB is strongest in the summer months and cannot penetrate cloud - it’s UVB that can cause sunburn. But sunburn isn’t the only way that the sun can damage skin. The sun also emits UBA, visible light and infrared-A - all of which are proven to cause damage to the skin which can lead to premature skin ageing, and harm the health of your skin. What's more, these types of radiation cause damage all year round, penetrating cloud and even glass - so even on the cloudiest days, or while driving, our skin is at risk of damage. Rather than sun protection, we need to think of it as daylight protection.
    I suffer from Rosacea, can I use Heliocare?
    Heliocare capsules will help stop a Rosacea flair up. We recommend the Heliocare Ultra D as they have a higher concentration of Fernblock® as well as the added benefit of vitamin D. We would recommend a patch test of any topical to ensure the product is suitable for your specific skin needs, however as sunlight can be a major trigger for rosacea, using sun protection can often help by protecting the skin and preventing a flare up. We recommend the 360° Water Gel as it's been tested on sensitive skin and is free from perfume.
    I suffer from Melasma. Which product would be best for me?
    Visible light is a major trigger for pigmentation - for this reason if you suffer with melasma we’d recommend choosing from the Heliocare 360˚ range, which not only protects against UV, but also visible light and infrared-A. Simply choose the product that most suits your skin type. The Color products offer protection and foundation coverage in one, which will also help to even out your complexion Heliocare Oral Capsules have been proven to reduce the severity of melasma when used as an adjunctive treatment. Simply take one capsule in the morning when you’re spending any time in the sun to give your skin the ultimate protection (always use in combination with one of the Heliocare 360° topical creams or gels).
    Are Heliocare products tested on animals?
    Cantabria Labs, Spain, the manufacturers of Heliocare, are dedicated to improving the health and lives of people worldwide, bringing them products that meet rigorous safety standards so that their customers can use them with complete confidence. Cantabria Labs do not test their cosmetics on animals and they never request that third parties carry out such tests on their behalf. They are fully compliant with current European cosmetic product legislation prohibiting animal testing, both with respect to its end products and to the raw materials and ingredients used in its formulations. Cantabria Labs assess the safety of their cosmetic products through the latest human volunteer in-vivo methods and laboratory based in-vitro studies.
    Does Heliocare 360° protect against blue light?
    Yes, Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum (at 400-495nm), and Heliocare 360° provides protection against this as well as UV and infrared-A.
    How much sun protection should I apply, and when should I apply it?
    To get the full level of protection stated on the packaging (both the PA rating for UVA protection and the SPF level for UVB protection), you need to apply 2mg of product per cm2 of skin – which equates to roughly a finger length of product for the face. Applying less than this hugely affects the SPF protection that you’re getting. Apply your sun protection product as the last product before you apply any make-up. Make sure you get right up to the hairline and around the eye – taking care not to get any product in the eye. Apply to any exposed areas – the neck and back of hands are often forgotten and tend to get a lot of exposure to the sun and daylight. We recommend re-applying your sun protection every 2-3 hours during periods of intense sun exposure, after swimming, sweating or toweling the skin. It can be tricky to reapply your sun protection during the day once you have your makeup on top – the Heliocare 360° color compacts are a great way of topping up your protection and foundation in one go – they’re really handy to have in your handbag.
    What is PA + rating?
    The PA + rating is an internationally recognised standard for measuring the level of protection a product provides against UVA. PA ratings are established through the Persistent Pigment Darkening Test (PPD), which is carried out on human skin. It’s the only UVA test done in this way, and is the test that has the closest correlation with SPF testing (the amount of product, and calculations used are very similar). The test measures the skins response to UVA, which is then assessed against a grading system of PA + to PA ++++ (with 4 + being the highest level of protection, giving up to 16 times greater protection when the product is used).
    Can you use 360° capsules during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
    Although there are no known side effects, Heliocare 360° Capsules are not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Research isn’t carried out in this group, so there is not enough evidence to confirm its safety. PA ratings are established through the Persistent Pigment Darkening Test (PPD), which is carried out on human skin. It’s the only UVA test done in this way, and is the test that has the closest correlation with SPF testing (the amount of product, and calculations used are very similar). The test measures the skins response to UVA, which is then assessed against a grading system of PA + to PA ++++ (with 4 + being the highest level of protection, giving up to 16 times greater protection when the product is used).