L’Oréal unveils “biggest sun care innovation in 30 years” UVMune 400

27 May 2022 --- L’Oréal has introduced its newest sun filtering technology, UVMune 400. The ingredient protects the skin against ultra-long UVA rays – the 30% of solar rays that have so far been insufficiently filtered, according to the beauty giant.

The new solution is marketed toward preventing sun-induced deep skin damages, which is deemed a major public health issue.

UVMune 400 is now available in the La Roche-Posay Anthelios brand, which is the first among the group’s range of products to make use of this technology.

“We do our utmost to share derm knowledge and provide best-in-class protection in partnership with dermatologists. We are proud to raise the bar with Anthelios UVMune 400 to protect all types of skin against even the most insidious UV rays,” says Laetitia Toupet, La Roche-Posay, global brand president.

Catching more rays
UVMune 400 is designed to offer broad spectrum photoprotection. With the ingredient, a product’s solar filtration range can be increased by 20 nm for expanded protection from ultraviolet radiation.

It took ten years of research to design the new solution, which has already been the subject of six scientific publications.UVMune 400 is the first L’Oréal filtering technology to absorb ultra-long UVA rays so effectively, the company reveals.

It took ten years of research to design this solution, which has already been the subject of six scientific publications.

La Roche-Posay is the number one dermatologist-recommended skincare brand worldwide and is the first L’Oréal brand to launch UVMune 400 technology, through its Anthelios franchise.

L’Oréal shares that the Anthelios UVMune 400 sunblock is proven to shield against deep cell damage, which is linked to signs of premature aging, and to prevent DNA lesions, which may lead to skin cancer.

Tested on all skin types and phototypes, Anthelios UVMune 400 was launched in pharmacies in March 2022 and is available as either Invisible Fluid SPF50+ or Hydrating Cream SPF50+.

A “big leap” for sun protection
Notably, UV rays affect skin to a greater or lesser extent depending on the time of day, the season, the altitude and the weather.

According to their wavelengths, rays can be categorized as UVB (rays between 280 and 320 nm), short UVA (between 320 and 340 nm), long UVA (from 340 to 400 nm) and ultra-long UVA (between 380 and 400 nm).

The next generation filter UVMune 400 is considered a “big leap” in sun protection.

These long UVA rays penetrate the epidermis the most and are among the main causes of skin aging. They also contribute to the development of skin cancer, along with other UVA and UVB rays.

“No sun filter was able to block efficiently ultra-long UVA rays from 380 nm which alone accounts for 30% of UV,” the company outlines.

The next generation filter UVMune 400 is powered by Mexoryl 400, an organic (carbon-based) sun filter developed and patented by L'Oréal in 1989. Mexoryl 400 has been designed to present an improved environmental profile.

L'Oréal Research has invested heavily in patented sun protection, launching its first patent on a sun protection oil in the 1930s.L’Oréal’s sun protection pipeline
L'Oréal Research has invested heavily in patented sun protection, launching its first patent on a sun protection oil in the 1930s.

In 1982, Mexoryl SX filter was discovered to be effective against short UVA rays and was photostable and hydrophilic. A few years later, in 1985, the company scored its first photostabilization patent of the Parsol 1789 solution, which made it possible to filter UVA rays up to 360 nm.

In 1989, the brand Mexoryl XL debuted a soluble lipophilic molecule capable of absorbing UVB and short UVA rays and increasing the effectiveness of other filters.

"Our L’Oréal R&I teams have successfully risen to the real scientific challenge of inventing a sun filtering technology to cover the UVA zone that was so far less covered,” explains Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO in charge of Research, Innovation and Technology at L'Oréal.

“This allows us to provide our broadest filtration and protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun, even the most insidious.”

Sun protection never loses its glow
The sun care beauty category is steadily growing, with more consumers gaining awareness about the harmful damage both short- and long-term sun exposure can cause on skin.

Adding momentum to this trend, sunscreen brands Supergoop! and global investment firm Blackstone Growth recently partnered with celebrity investors – actor Hugh Jackman, fashion designer Jenna Lyons and professional golfer Michelle Wie – to advocate and advance the international use of SPF for skin protection.

Earlier this month, Eucerin debuted its antioxidant-enriched sun protection skincare line in US markets. The line features five antioxidants to combat aging.

Guidance on proper sunscreen use, however, sometimes comes with differing opinions. Alexandra Kowcz, the Personal Care Products Council chief scientist, previously argued that Environmental Working Group’s 2022 advisory is “driving fear” over the product.

Among latest product developments, Symrise unveiled its cosmetic brand Neo Heliopan, a mineral UV filter range developed with its strategic partner Kobo, a company specializing in mineral UV filters. The new range offers no white cast to minimal white cast effects.

By Benjamin Ferrer

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