On hot summer days, the temperature alone is not a good indicator of how much we need to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays. The values on the UV index, on the other hand, are a superb indicator. Here’s our little reminder to keep sunscreen on your radar.

While it is extremely important to get a good dose of sunlight regularly, the healthy benefits come from getting the right amount. Too much sun can be just as harmful as too little. Whether you’re on holiday, working outside or simply enjoying your life and hobbies in the great outdoors, protecting yourself from the sun isn't just something you do on holiday. You have to do it every day! 

"Good sun protection is important, of course. But exposure also plays a role. If you're indoors or if it’s a very cloudy day, you need far less sunscreen than if you're exposed at the beach all day long. You need to use sunscreen in a way that suits the situation and the individual," explains Marcel Schnyder, Head of Global Technical Center Sun Care. It doesn't make sense to use SPF 50 every day, no matter what you do. The range of sun protection products is now so vast that there is a solution for virtually every situation. 

The surface on which you are standing likewise has an influence on the intensity of the sun's rays. Snow, sand and water reflect rays particularly well, which increases exposure.

In other words, there are many variables you can and must consider when it comes to choosing the right sun protection. The UV index can help you make a decision.

The World Health Organization (WHO) developed and published the Global Solar UV Index together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in 1995.

Similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes, the UV Index is a theoretical open upward scale that measures the intensity of UV radiation and the resulting risk. The UV Index offers a good indication of how much protection a person needs from the sun.

Although many people want to return to their everyday lives with a “beautiful” tan, especially after going on holiday, experts and dermatologists point out that there is simply no such thing as a healthy tan. In fact, tanning serves as a clear sign of skin damage. 

"There are two pillars to modern UV protection. One is the health aspect and the other is the cosmetic aspect. The health aspect is about protecting against sunburn (erythema) and reducing the risk of developing skin cancer. The cosmetic aspect is that we now know UV radiation is one of the main reasons why skin ages prematurely, why wrinkles form, and why we can end up looking older than we actually are," says Dr. Markus Schwind, former Senior Marketing Manager Sun Care. 

"When we talk about long-term skin damage, we shouldn't forget one important thing: Skin aging and wrinkling caused by the sun’s UV rays are two long-term clinical effects. But looking at a molecular level, there are things that happen in the skin immediately rather than over the course of months or years," adds Dr. Myriam Sohn, Global Technical Center Sun Care.

If there is enough sunlight, the body releases more of the happy hormone serotonin, which puts people in a better mood and makes them feel calmer, more satisfied and happier. With the right sunscreen, this mood will last much longer, because your skin will thank you for it.