Latest news with #AmbreSolaire
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How often should you apply sun cream? Plus 15 crucial questions answered by a skin cancer specialist
There's nothing that conjures up thoughts of 'sun-drenched holidays' quite like the slightly citrusy, sweet smell of Ambre Solaire. Even when my penny-pinching mum switched to Boots Soltan range in the 1980s, it still seemed like the essence of a Mediterranean summer, bottled. But we've learned a lot more about the dangers of tanning since then – and sadly know now that there's nothing glamorous or sexy about skin cancer. Australia – a country where two out of three are diagnosed with the condition by the age of 70 – paved the way for making us wise up, with their 'slip slop slap' sun cream campaign over 40 years ago. And while rates of skin cancer are unsurprisingly lower here in rainy Britain, we're far from immune. 'There's a troubling rise in skin cancer cases among younger demographics,' says consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto, founder of Self London. She blames indoor tanning as well as products offering very low SPF protection. 'The latter are often marketed to appeal to Gen Z – with bright, influencer-style branding that downplays the real risks of UV exposure.' In clinical practice, Dr Mahto sees 'a number of young patients presenting with early signs of sun damage – something that is entirely preventable with proper education and protection.' What's more, ultraviolet radiation, both UVA and UVB, is present year-round, and its effects are cumulative and insidious – it's something to shield against every day, not just for three months a year. 'As well as melanoma, UV also contributes to fine lines, uneven skin tone and loss of elasticity,' explains aesthetics expert Dr Jo Mennie, who worked in NHS plastic surgery for 12 years. I grilled two doctors on the best practice for staying safe in 2025. Here are their answers. 1. How much sunscreen is the right amount? If you want genuine protection don't skimp on the application. Half a teaspoon is recommended for faces and necks, and bodies need the six full teaspoons (36 grams, says Dr Mahto). 'But use your common sense, if you're larger, applying too little significantly reduces the sunscreen's efficacy. 2. What's the best way to apply it? Whether you prefer an old-school cream or a spray, both get the thumbs up from the dermatologist. 'Either is effective if used correctly,' confirms Dr Mahto. 'Sprays should be applied liberally and then rubbed in to ensure even coverage. Creams provide a visual cue for coverage but require thorough application. Whatever you choose, the key is ensuring generous and even application.' 3. How often should you apply sun cream? Ideally, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours, more frequently if you're sweating or swimming, says Dr Mennie. 'A common mistake I see is patients applying it once and assuming they're protected all day. That's unfortunately not how it works, as studies prove.' Also even if it says 'water resistant' on the bottle, swimming, sweating and towel drying can all remove sunscreen. 4. How can you tell which is the safest sunscreen to use? 'While SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is important, it only measures protection against UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburn. It's just one side of the sun protection equation.' To fully protect your skin, Mahto says it's essential to use sunscreen – a term that refers to products offering broad-spectrum protection against both UVB and UVA rays. 'UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are a major contributor to premature ageing and skin cancer, even when there's no visible sunburn.' When choosing a sunscreen in the UK, look for: SPF 30 or higher to protect against UVB A UVA star rating of at least 4 out of 5, and The 'UVA' logo inside a circle, which indicates the product meets EU standards for UVA protection 5. What SPF factor should I use? Does it depend on skin type? Everyone should use at least SPF 30 with broad-spectrum protection, and if you have very fair skin or conditions like rosacea or melasma, make that SPF 50, says Dr Mennie. 'And even darker skin tones are still vulnerable to UVA-induced aging and pigmentation even if the burn risk is lower.' 6. Which is better – mineral or chemical? Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on the skin and reflect UV rays. 'These are brilliant for sensitive or acne-prone skin and those patients who are pregnant or breast-feeding or experiencing hormonal sensitivity in the skin,' says Mennie. Chemical sunscreens tend to feel lighter and blend more easily, but some can irritate sensitive skin, she adds. As both have pros and cons, 'it's worth experimenting with different brands to find the one that's right for you, as the best one is the one you'll actually wear daily.' 7. Should I be worried about putting on SPF 50 every day — is it true that it contains more harmful chemicals than lower factors? No, says Mahto, while this is a common misunderstanding, it's one 'rooted in poor scientific literacy and an irrational fear of chemicals'. The idea that SPF 50 is more harmful than lower SPFs is unproven. 'Sunscreen ingredients, whether in SPF 30 or SPF 50, are closely regulated for safety. The higher factor does not automatically mean a dangerous dose,' she explains. 'Many of the concerns around chemical filters stem from animal studies using unrealistic exposure levels. For example, the alarm over oxybenzone came from studies where rats were fed sunscreen ingredients. We are not rodents, and we do not ingest sunscreen! In real-world use, applied topically and in normal quantities, there is no credible evidence that sunscreen poses harm. 'My advice is not to be afraid of SPF 50. The greater risk lies in not using sunscreen consistently or using too little.' 8. Sunscreen makes my skin greasy or spotty – can I just wear a hat and sit in the shade instead? 'Hats and shade are helpful, but they don't block reflected UV rays completely, so sunscreen is still essential,' says Dr Mennie. She insists sunscreen won't necessarily make skin greasy, 'modern formulations are non-comedogenic and lightweight – I recommend gel-based or mineral options for oily or acne-prone skin.' 9. Do the 'once a day' sun creams work? Bad news for the parents who thought these were a godsend. 'Studies have shown that 'once a day' sunscreens may not provide adequate protection for the entire day,' says Dr Mahto, who never recommends them to her patients. 'Sweating, swimming, and towel drying can diminish their effectiveness, so it's advisable to reapply sunscreen regularly, regardless of 'once a day' claims.' 10. Is it worth spending more on sunscreen? Are cheap brands just as good? You don't have to spend a fortune, say the experts. 'The most important thing is that it's broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and that you apply enough – most people use half the recommended amount,' says Mennie. Some higher-end formulations offer better cosmetic finishes or added skincare benefits, she adds, 'but there are brilliant affordable options on the market.' Price does not always equate to quality in sunscreens. 11. What are the risks of not reapplying sunscreen? By failing to keep topped up, sunscreen becomes less effective, or activities like swimming might remove it leaving you totally unprotected. Increasing the risk of sunburn, DNA damage, and skin cancer. Recent data confirms regular sunscreen use significantly reduces the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers. 12. Will skipping sunscreen make me look older? This makes premature ageing likely, says Dr Mennie. 'I've absolutely seen patients age faster from not bothering with protection. UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown and pigmentation, so not reapplying allows UV damage to accumulate even after just a couple of hours. 'In the clinic, if I'm seeing younger patients with photodamage, fine lines, uneven tone, far earlier than I'd expect, you can be sure that they are skipping their sunscreen during overcast months or when they're 'just popping out'.' One study found up to 80–90 per cent of visible facial aging is due to UV exposure. 'I've had patients in their 30s with premature creasing around the eyes and forehead purely from incidental sun exposure,' adds Mennie. 13. Is SPF in makeup or moisturisers enough? In short, no.'The SPF in makeup or moisturiser is tested in labs at 2mg/cm² which is far more product than most of us apply. You'd need several layers to achieve the stated protection. Think of these as top-up, not your primary defence,' advises Mennie. 'I wouldn't leave the house without actual sunscreen myself, it's my number one skincare that's non-negotiable.' 14. Is there any such thing as a safe tan? Unfortunately, insists Mahto, there is no such thing as a truly 'safe' tan. 'Tanning is your skin's response to injury – when exposed to UV radiation, your skin produces more melanin in an attempt to protect deeper layers from damage. So even a light tan or subtle 'glow' is a sign that DNA damage has already occurred. 'Over time, this damage accumulates, increasing the risk of premature ageing, pigmentation issues and skin cancers including melanoma. Also, it's a common misconception that a gradual tan is somehow healthier. Unfortunately, any intentional tanning, whether that's from the sun or tanning beds, comes with risks.' Don't do it. 15. What sunscreen do the experts personally use? Dr Mennie: 'I wear a broad-spectrum SPF 50 every single day rain or shine, winter or summer. I use Dr David Jack's All Day Long SPF 50 as my chemical sunscreen option, and HydroPeptide's Solar Defence non-tinted SPF 50 as my mineral option depending on how my skin feels.' Dr Mahto: 'I use a separate facial sunscreen as body sunscreens are often too heavy for my acne-prone skin, and I really like the Ultra Violette range for my face. For body, I don't spend a lot of money, I'll buy what's on offer (so long as it meets the criteria mentioned earlier). 'I don't leave the house without applying it, but if I know I'll be indoors all day (and not sitting near a window for hours) then I'll skip it – this isn't very often though!' Dr Anjali Mahto is a consultant dermatologist of over 20 years, 12 of which were in the NHS. She's also the Founder of Self London. Dr Jo Mennie has over 11 years of experience working as a doctor in the NHS and is a plastic surgeon with a special interest in women's health now working in the private sector. 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The Guardian
10-08-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
‘The ocean is spitting our rubbish back': Italy's museum of plastic pollution
Enzo Suma, a naturalist guide, has always picked up rubbish during his walks along Carovigno beach, a stretch of coastline lapped by clear blue waters close to his home in Salento, an area of Puglia in the heel of Italy's boot. During one walk, Suma, 44, spotted a washed-up bottle of Ambre Solaire sunscreen. He was about to throw it away when he noticed something unusual: the price printed on the bottle was in lire, meaning it must have been produced before the euro replaced the lira in Italy. In fact, after delving further, he was astonished to discover that the bottle dated back to the late 1960s. A clear testament to the longevity of plastic and its persistence in the environment, the vintage suntan lotion became the catalyst for Suma's creation of Archeoplastica, an online museum that comprises more than 500 plastic relics washed ashore on beaches all over Italy. 'Whereas before I didn't pay too much attention to what I collected, from that moment on I started to look at everything very, very carefully,' said Suma, who studied environmental science at Ca' Foscari university in Venice before returning to Puglia. He added: 'It's one thing to be taught that plastic lasts for centuries and never degrades, and another to see it with your own eyes.' About 11m tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world's oceans each year via rivers or after being dumped by people along shorelines or chucked into the sea from fishing vessels. A new expert review published last week warned that plastics were a 'grave, growing and under-recognised danger' to human and planetary health. The review concluded that the world was in a 'plastics crisis', the driver being the huge acceleration in plastics production since the 1950s. The timeline of relics gathered by Suma and his volunteers across Italy demonstrates this. One of the oldest finds – a 1958 bottle cap featuring the trademark Moplen that was found on a beach in Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy – points to the beginning of the plastic-production era. Moplen was the commercial name for isotactic polypropylene, a plastic material developed by the company Montecatini. Other discoveries include a pink polyethylene bottle for talcum powder that was made in Germany in the late 1950s; a blue tub of hand cream dating to the 1960s with the brand name Gli Sette still clearly visible; and a clown-shaped bottle once filled with honey that was produced and only ever sold in Greece, also in the 1960s, but which turned up on a beach in the Lecce area of Puglia. Finds of products made in subsequent decades include a Spic & Span bathroom cleaning powder from the 1970s, a Nesquik tub from the 80s and the remains of a souvenir Italia '90 World Cup football. The most recent discovery, which is yet to be officially added to the Archeoplastica inventory, is a 45rpm vinyl record picked up on a beach by a seven-year-old boy who was in Puglia on holiday with his family. After Suma's nephew miraculously managed to bend the record back in the shape, it was played on an old turntable and was revealed to be Jimmy Fontana's Il Mondo, a song released in 1965. 'This find struck me a lot,' said Suma. 'The record jumped a lot but you could clearly make out the song.' Barnacle encrustations found on the record indicated that it had been floating in the sea for quite some time. Most of the work by Suma and his team is done during autumn and winter, when tonnes of plastic waste is left behind by beachgoers and authorities pay less attentionto keeping the beaches clean. The vast majority of waste they find are single-use plastics such as bottles, bags, fast-food containers and straws. The objective of Archeoplastica, which occasionally exhibits its finds at traditional museums, is to raise awareness and encourage people to limit their use of plastic. But from Suma's experience, the problem is only getting worse, especially with no meaningful progress towards limiting plastic production. The sea, meanwhile, is taking its revenge. 'The ocean is spitting our rubbish back in our faces,' he said.
The Guardian
09-08-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
‘The ocean is spitting our rubbish back': Italy's museum of plastic pollution
Enzo Suma, a naturalist guide, has always picked up rubbish during his walks along Carovigno beach, a stretch of coastline lapped by clear blue waters close to his home in Salento, an area of Puglia in the heel of Italy's boot. During one walk, Suma, 44, spotted a washed-up bottle of Ambre Solaire sunscreen. He was about to throw it away when he noticed something unusual: the price printed on the bottle was in lire, meaning it must have been produced before the euro replaced the lira in Italy. In fact, after delving further, he was astonished to discover that the bottle dated back to the late 1960s. A clear testament to the longevity of plastic and its persistence in the environment, the vintage suntan lotion became the catalyst for Suma's creation of Archeoplastica, an online museum that comprises more than 500 plastic relics washed ashore on beaches all over Italy. 'Whereas before I didn't pay too much attention to what I collected, from that moment on I started to look at everything very, very carefully,' said Suma, who studied environmental science at Ca' Foscari university in Venice before returning to Puglia. He added: 'It's one thing to be taught that plastic lasts for centuries and never degrades, and another to see it with your own eyes.' About 11m tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world's oceans each year via rivers or after being dumped by people along shorelines or chucked into the sea from fishing vessels. A new expert review published last week warned that plastics were a 'grave, growing and under-recognised danger' to human and planetary health. The review concluded that the world was in a 'plastics crisis', the driver being the huge acceleration in plastics production since the 1950s. The timeline of relics gathered by Suma and his volunteers across Italy demonstrates this. One of the oldest finds – a 1958 bottle cap featuring the trademark Moplen that was found on a beach in Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy – points to the beginning of the plastic-production era. Moplen was the commercial name for isotactic polypropylene, a plastic material developed by the company Montecatini. Other discoveries include a pink polyethylene bottle for talcum powder that was made in Germany in the late 1950s; a blue tub of hand cream dating to the 1960s with the brand name Gli Sette still clearly visible; and a clown-shaped bottle once filled with honey that was produced and only ever sold in Greece, also in the 1960s, but which turned up on a beach in the Lecce area of Puglia. Finds of products made in subsequent decades include a Spic & Span bathroom cleaning powder from the 1970s, a Nesquik tub from the 80s and the remains of a souvenir Italia '90 World Cup football. The most recent discovery, which is yet to be officially added to the Archeoplastica inventory, is a 45rpm vinyl record picked up on a beach by a seven-year-old boy who was in Puglia on holiday with his family. After Suma's nephew miraculously managed to bend the record back in the shape, it was played on an old turntable and was revealed to be Jimmy Fontana's Il Mondo, a song released in 1965. 'This find struck me a lot,' said Suma. 'The record jumped a lot but you could clearly make out the song.' Barnacle encrustations found on the record indicated that it had been floating in the sea for quite some time. Most of the work by Suma and his team is done during autumn and winter, when tonnes of plastic waste is left behind by beachgoers and authorities pay less attentionto keeping the beaches clean. The vast majority of waste they find are single-use plastics such as bottles, bags, fast-food containers and straws. The objective of Archeoplastica, which occasionally exhibits its finds at traditional museums, is to raise awareness and encourage people to limit their use of plastic. But from Suma's experience, the problem is only getting worse, especially with no meaningful progress towards limiting plastic production. The sea, meanwhile, is taking its revenge. 'The ocean is spitting our rubbish back in our faces,' he said.
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Giddy up, Gotterup: Chris Gotterup ties course record with 61 at Genesis Scottish Open
Things were certainly heating up at the Renaissance. In fact, it got so warm during round two of the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open, the golf writers just about had to squirt some Ambre Solaire onto their laptops. It was a day to make hay while that big, fiery orb up yonder shone down on East Lothian. Chris Gotterup certainly got cracking with a sizzling card that almost had singed edges. You could say it was a case of giddy-up, Gotterup. The 25-year-old American came galloping to the top of the field with a 9-under 61 which equalled the Renaissance course record. That terrific effort thrust Gotterup on to an 11-under aggregate as he finished two shots clear of Englishman Harry Hall, with Ludvig Aberg, Marco Penge and the former U.S. Open champion, Matthew Fitzpatrick, tucked in on 8-unders. Rory McIlroy is lurking ominously on 7 under with the reigning Open champion, Xander Schauffele, a shot further back. Scottie Scheffler, the world No 1, sits on 5 under at the halfway stage. A sell-out crowd will attend day three and they'll be delighted to know that Robert MacIntyre, the defending champion, will still be around. He made the cut by the skin of his tooth enamel. A weekend charge? You never know. Get there early to avoid the Gullane gridlock. In a line-up featuring eight of the world's top-10 players, it was Gotterup, the world No 158, who was standing tall. Well, once he'd woken himself up for an early tee-off time. 'I've had a hard time getting up all week, so it took some motivation getting up at 5:15 or whatever it was,' he said. From bleary eyed, to eye-catching. In bright, largely benign conditions, Gotterup raced to the turn in just 29 blows with a bag of six birdies and seven single putts. He picked up three more birdies on the 10th, 13th and 14th as all and sundry looked at the leaderboard and thought, 'there's a 59 on here.' The golfing gods don't dish out that magical number willy-nilly, of course, and Gotterup parred in. 'I wasn't really thinking too much about a 59,' said the halfway leader, who won his first title on the PGA Tour at Myrtle Beach last season. 'To shoot 61 is still pretty cool. I think it's my lowest ever round in tournament golf.' A sturdy looking fellow, who can give the ball a good old skelp, Gotterup puts his power down to playing lacrosse when he was growing up. In a fashion, he could be Maryland's answer to the shinty-playing MacIntyre. 'Lacrosse definitely helped with my swing speed as I grew up learning to basically hit the ball as hard as I could and then figure it out from there,' added Gotterup of this crash, bang, wallop. 'I've probably bulked up a little too much and gotten a bit heavier than I would like. But I feel like I have good touch in my game as well. "I have heard that Bob plays shinty. I don't know a whole lot about that, but apparently you need to be pretty tough to play that sport. I guess it's similar to lacrosse in that sense.' Hall led the chasing pack with a 64 as his push to make a name for himself on this side of the pond gathered pace. The 27-year-old is hard to miss. He is, after all, 6-foot-4, weighs in at about 16 stone and wears a bunnet. His golfing development, though, has taken place in the USA and, despite a maiden PGA Tour win last season, the Cornishman is still something of an unknown quantity over here. 'I don't know if I like it,' he said of this relative anonymity. 'I want to be one of the best and that comes with being in the spotlight and, when you're not, you've just got to get motivated to keep going. 'Hopefully, I can keep playing good golf when I come back here and people will know my name.' Fitzpatrick is more of a household name although the most coverage he's had over a trying 12 months or so was when he split from his long-term caddie, the well-kent Billy Foster. The Sheffield man's form is slowly returning, though, and a tidy, bogey-free 63 saw him barge his way into contention for a title that he lost out on in play-off back in 2021. 'I'd been with Billy for six years and having that experience on the bag and the success we had together is something I will always be grateful for,' said Fitzpatrick. 'But when you're not playing very well, you feel like something needs freshening up.' Aberg, the classy Swede, began his round with two bogeys but bounced back with eight birdies en route to a 65. 'It's definitely growing on me,' said Aberg as he continues to get to grips with the Renaissance course. McIlroy, the Scottish Open champion in 2023, finished his first round on Thursday night with three birdies in a row and he picked up where he left off in round two with five birdies on his opening seven holes. The Masters champion eventually finished with a 65 – he did bogey his final hole – and was more than happy with his effort as he continues build up a head of steam after a couple of weeks off. 'I'm right in the thick of things and excited for the weekend,' said the world No 2. 'If there is anything you need to work on in your game, it's going to show when you're under the pressure of trying to win. I'm looking forward to that.' Scheffler has ground to make up after a topsy-turvy day at the office but a 68 left him hovering on fringes of the top-20. The bumper crowds descending on East Lothian will have plenty of golfing fare to feast on.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Boots launches 50% off summer sale including dry mist sun spray & moisturiser that gives you a natural-looking tan
Boot's mega summer sale includes 50% off a skincare product that promises to protect against premature skin ageing and a half price buy that gives users a natural-looking tan. The health and beauty retailer has slashed the price of over 3,000 products, including a number of "five-star" buys perfect for summer holidays. 50% off Garnier Sun Spray Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Sensitive Advanced Dry Mist Sun Spray has been reduced from £16 to just £8, a saving of 50%. The sun cream promises "very high protection" against sun-induced skin damage and sunburn, and the spray bottle makes it super easy to apply to hard-to-reach areas. The bargain buy is suitable for all skin types, and is hypoallergenic, so is unlikely to cause any allergic reactions. Garnier said: "This protection mist has an ultra-light texture that absorbs quickly, without leaving white marks, and gives a bare skin feeling that is non-greasy. "The spray format allows you to protect all parts of the body quickly and easily. "This water resistant suncream offers advanced protection against immediate sun induced skin damage, caused by UVB rays, as well as protection from long-term damage and premature skin ageing caused by UVA rays." The summer essential has over 100 five-star reviews from satisfied customers, including one person who said: "I thought I'd try it out as I'm a full time wheelchair user with limited mobility and hand strength and was hoping to be able to reapply and reach awkward areas during the day. "I was able to reach most areas, it was easy to press and spray, and whilst clear, it's fairly obvious where it looks shiny." Also in the sale is Dove Summer Revived Light to Medium Gradual Tanning Lotion, which has been slashed from £4.19 to £2.09, a saving of 50%. The budget cream aims to give a natural-looking holiday glow, for hardly any effort. British skincare brand sold in Boots launches 50% off sale as it prepares to close down this month The tanning product works like a normal everyday moisturiser and creates a long-lasting natural tan. Over time, it builds up to a light to medium colour, but don't forget to add sun cream over the top to protect your skin. Dove said: " This streak-free tanning lotion is ideal for everyday use, creating a long-lasting, natural-looking self-tan. "Its moisturising power keeps your skin hydrated, while the 100% naturally derived DHA subtly adds colour for a buildable glow that you control. The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez - known as Dr Dray - revealed why you should wear suncream. The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference - and this matters for all ages - is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed. "The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation," she continued, not because you're "not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday". "If you're not doing in your 20s, get on that now." But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn't go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun. Doing this over your lifetime - and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days - "will reduce the visible signs of photoageing", Andrea said. Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin. "The gradual tan builds up to a light to medium colour, leaving your skin with a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow." Over 300 shoppers have given the product a five-star review, including one fan who said: "I'm using this tanning lotion for about three years. "I usually apply in the evening and can see a beautiful golden tan next morning." A second person said: 'I Was amazed by how good this is. "I've never used fake tan before, but my daughter showed me the results, and I gave it a try. Shoppers can also snap up countless other offers on essential products, such as half price on Soap & Glory Face Soap & Clarity Facial Wash, and Oral-B Pro-Expert Professional Protection Toothpaste.
