Discover the important difference between organic and inorganic UV-Protection – and why KOSHO Smart Protection Cream offers innovative, truly natural UV-protection...

Q: What Is UV-Radiation & Why Is It Bad For Skin?

Everybody who has seen a rainbow before knows, that sunlight or – more precisely, electromagnetic radiation that reaches Earth – is actually a mix of different types of light and wave lengths. Electromagnetic radiation is divided into different types according to its wavelength, and includes infrared (IR), visible and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

UVB has the most effect on the top layer of the skin causing redness and burning (aka sunburn), while UVA reaches into the deeper layers of the skin causing cell-damage, ageing and wrinkles.

UV-filters work by filtering or absorbing the amount of ultraviolet light that penetrates the skin. Therefore so-called broadband UV-filters which protect against both UVA and UVB are most effective for preventing UV-related skin-damage.

Organic/Chemical vs Inorganic/Physical – And What It Means

There are two types of UV-filters which are used in the vast majority of skincare products.

There are organic (chemical) UV-filters which are carbon-based and absorb or filter UV radiation, and there are inorganic UV-filters (physical/mineral) which are carbon-free, and instead use metal oxides including mineral-based zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block and reflect UV radiation.

In A Nutshell:

Inorganic UV-filters (zinc oxide & titanium oxide)

= Physical (Mineral) UV-Protection

Organic UV-filters, aka everything else

= Chemical UV-Protection

Organic UV-Filters aka Chemical UV-Filters

These are technically considered ‘organic’, as the UV filters used are organic chemicals (substances that contain carbon), however it must be noted that they have nothing to do with being derived from organically grown ingredients.

Chemical sunscreens generally include a cocktail of filters to block UVA and UVB rays and create broad-spectrum UV-protection.

Common types of organic UV-filters are aromatic compounds, usually with a carbonyl group. Examples of commonly used types are cinnamates, salicylates and benzophenones.

Aesthetikonzept - Biotulin® UV30 Daily Skin Protection Cream Combination

For Example:

Our broad-spectrum UVA & UVB Biotulin UV30 Daily Skin Protection Cream for example includes cinnamates, which are chemically related to cinnamon oil. Cinnamates are good UVB absorbers (often in combination with benzophenones).

Biotulin® UV30 Daily Skin Protection Cream Packaging

Aesthetikonzept - Kosho Matcha Effective Cosmetics_Skin Benefits Matcha Extract

Inorganic aka Physical (Mineral) UV-Filters

Physical (mineral) sunscreens use zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) – inorganic metal oxides – as their UV filter. These are small particles that sit on the skin and physically reflect and scatter both UVA and UVB radiation.

They are known to cover less (only slightly) than what a chemical sunscreen would, but still provide broad spectrum coverage.

Why Zinc Oxide Got A Bad Rap (Wrongly So!)

Zinc oxide was previously not enjoyed by consumers due to its large particle size, which left a white cast on the skin.

Since then, developments in technology lead to these particles being reduced in size to “nanoparticles”. These can absorb more deeply into the skin, and appear transparent on the skin. On sunscreen labels this may appear as 'micronised'.

Nanoparticle-sized metal oxides can block both UVA and UVB radiation, providing broader protection than other sunscreens.

As these are also less likely to cause skin irritation than chemical sunscreens, these types of filters are usually recommended for people with sensitive skin.

Next to the organic cinnamates UV-filter, Biotulin UV30 Daily Skin Protection Cream also includes this nanoparticle inorganic UV-filter in the form of TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NANO).

While there have been concerns in the past, about nanoparticles being absorbed by the body increasing risk of cancer, studies concluded that nanoparticles won't penetrate through the skin's protection barrier, making absorption into general circulation unlikely. But to be on the safe side: never apply to open wounds or heavily sun damaged skin.

Organic vs Inorganic UV-Protection – Which Is More “Natural”?

This depends a little on your definition of "natural"...

The zinc-based (inorganic UV filters) have often been described as “natural UV-filters”, as Zinc is a naturally occurring substance, but of course is also mixed up in a laboratory – as the majority of effective, natural skincare.

Similarly organic filters aren't in fact made from “organically grown” ingredients.

Neither organic nor inorganic sunscreens are “natural” in the sense that they are created from plants, but formulated with naturally occurring ingredients mixed in laboratories.

Why KOSHO Smart Protection Cream Offers Truly Natural UV-Protection

Kosho Smart Protection Cream

This is where the naturally derived ingredients of KOSHO Smart Protection Cream provide innovation.

Ectoin for Primary UV-Protection From Inside The Cells

KOSHO's natural UV-protection is provided by Ectoin. Ectoin molecules protect against UV-rays from inside the skin cells –and not only against UV-rays but also against dryness or stress. Ectoin is derived from living bacteria (Halomonas Elongata), using biotechnology.

Organic Matcha Extract For Secondary UV-Protection & Protection Against Cell-Ageing

KOSHO's unique matcha extract, extracted from organically grown matcha green tea plants (Camellia Sinensis) also provides secondary UV-protection, as the plants themselves carry a natural UV-protection.

Furthermore, matcha green tea has the highest amount of antioxidants compared to any plants.

KOSHO's organic matcha extractis characterised by its high content of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This polyphenol is considered an antioxidant 100 times more potent than vitamin C. This also helps protect against and reverse damage from UV-radiation.

More About Ectoin Extract

Discover The KOSHO Matcha Effective Cosmetics

While the entire KOSHO Matcha Effective skincare range includes the unique, organic matcha extract, the KOSHO Full Hydration Serum has the highest concentration of the extract for the ultimate skin-rejuvenating & -brightening boost. All KOSHO products are made in Switzerland, vegan, free of parabens, PEGs, silicones, mineral oils and other critical chemical substances.

Discover KOSHO Cosmetics