SPF 30 and SPF 50 sunscreens have identical ingredient lists and therefore, I look at both products together.
Happy Skin Days sunscreen test
My view: Based on the above sunscreen test, you can give both products a miss
1) Harmful chemicals present
Both products contain Benzophenone-3 (or Oxybenzone), which is a hormonal disruptor and a known skin allergen. (See Chemicals to Avoid – Oxybenzone for more details).
2) UVA and UVB filters are both present
Both UVA and UVB have both been implicated in skin cancer and photo-aging and we want filters to protect against both types of damage.
Filters present are:
- Octinoxate (or Octyl Methoxy Cinnamate) – 5th ingredient
- Benzophenone-3 (or Oxybenzone) – 11th ingredient
- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (or Avobenzone) – 6th ingredient
The main UVB filter is Octinoxate, which is an effective UVB absorber. Octinoxate is the 5th ingredient on both SPF 30 and SPF 50 products. This is not the problem with this product.
2b) The UVA filter debacle
The primary UVA filter is Avobenzone, which is a gold standard UVA filter that is notoriously photo-unstable.
Available evidence shows Avobenzone degrades quickly upon exposure to sunlight, reducing its efficacy by as much as 50 and 90 per cent after 60 minutes of exposure. Avobenzone needs a photostabiliser, and azafran add Oxybenzone for this purpose.
However, this product also has Octinoxate, which studies show when combined with Avobenzone is less than ideal. When combined, both Octinoxate and Avobenzone demonstrate less absorbance after UV exposure.
Even if this product DOES provide UVA protection, it does not last 🙂
Click on LINK for more information. I best like summarizing it using this image
Closing remarks
That’s it from me. It is a shame that Indian sunscreens – VLCC, Lotus Herbals and now azafran are sticking to this routine of combining a strong UVA filter with substances that do not ensure it remains photostable.
Formulating sunscreens is difficult, but not impossible. I believe we can do better.
See also: Is SPF Really Better Than SPF 15? Myths About Sun Protection, Top 5 sunscreen recommendations
1 thought on “azafran organics SPF 30 & SPF 50 – Adult cut”
Hi. This was VERY useful. I.simply cannot fall for this organic claptrap, no ingredient from nature, except for dried and powdered stuff lasts for more than an hour,maybe a few hours. If it’s in a bottle,& is stable,it’s unnatural…I may be wrong, but I guess I am ill informed then.