Heatwave: How to choose the most effective sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun?

SPF, composition, form... Choosing your sunscreen isn't always an easy task. Especially when temperatures reach peaks of over 40 degrees , like this week in France.

"I'm more in favor of SPF 50+, since a number of creams don't quite provide protection at the stated level. It's better to aim for the highest SPF," Laurence Coiffard, a dermatology specialist at the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM), explained on RMC this Tuesday.

It is strongly recommended to choose an SPF 50+. "The higher the SPF, the greater the protection, because the cream contains a greater number of filters," continues Laurence Coiffard. Contrary to popular belief, 50 does not mean that the cream protects for 50 minutes.

Even with 50+ cream, individuals are not fully protected. "The term 'total sunscreen' must be banned, there is always a certain amount of UV rays that will always reach our skin," emphasizes the ANSM member on Apolline Matin .

"No protection is absolutely total," insists Laurence Coiffard.

Before choosing your cream, it's also imperative to "look at what's in it." The dermatology specialist points out the presence of alcohol in certain creams, which should be "banned." Regarding the product form, "creams are the most interesting," according to Laurence Coiffard, who advises excluding "two-phase products and sticks" from your purchases. Regarding oils, they are "less protective."

The ANSM specialist also shared her advice on RMC on how to best use sunscreen. According to her, people aren't using enough: "You should never bring sunscreen back from a vacation. An 80 kg man should use a 30 milliliter tube per day. If he's with someone else, bringing back sunscreen shows that you haven't used enough. You have to be generous and reapply well," warns Laurence Coiffard.

Protection for children must be particularly respected. Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer , according to dermatologist Catherine Oliveres-Ghouti: "A risk increased by at least 50% of having skin cancer in the next 10 or 12 years."

"If you have five sunburns before the age of 20, you increase your risk of melanoma by 80%," says Eve Maubec, a member of the French Society of Dermatology. According to Public Health France, more than 85% of skin cancers are linked to excessive sun exposure.