Faq
Heliocare provides high-level broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, as well as super anti-oxidant activity with Fernblock plus DNA protection and repair.
Heliocare 360˚ is the latest advancement in the Heliocare range. In addition to the protection offered by the Heliocare range mentioned above, Heliocare 360˚ also protects the skin against visible light and infrared-A – both of which are proven to cause damage to the skin that can lead to premature skin ageing, and harm skin health. Both visible light and infrared-A can cause damage all year round, penetrating cloud and glass – so even on the cloudiest days, our skin is still at risk.
Heliocare and Heliocare 360˚ topical creams and gels do not contain any animal-derived components and therefore are classed as vegan friendly.
The sun emits different kinds of radiation, UVB is strongest in the summer months and cannot penetrate cloud – it’s UVB that can cause sunburn.
But sunburn isn’t the only way that the sun can damage skin. The sun also emits UBA, visible light and infrared-A – all of which are proven to cause damage to the skin which can lead to premature skin ageing, and harm the health of your skin. What’s more, these types of radiation cause damage all year round, penetrating cloud and even glass – so even on the cloudiest days, or while driving, our skin is at risk of damage.
Rather than sun protection, we need to think of it as daylight protection.
Vitamin D helps to keep our bones strong and boosts our immune system. Sun exposure, specifically to UVB, enables the natural process in your skin to make Vitamin D.
UVB is only really present in the summer months, and cannot penetrate cloud.
It’s a common misconception that using sun protection daily will not allow you to make enough Vitamin D and will cause Vitamin D deficiency. There are no studies that suggest a link between the two, in fact, studies have shown that those who do use daily sun protection can maintain their Vitamin D levels.
There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, using sun protection products with high SPF such as 50+ won’t block all UVB rays.
Secondly, in the summer you only need a short period of sun exposure with areas such as hands, arms and lower legs exposed for most people to create enough Vitamin D
In the UK from October to early March there simply isn’t enough UVB present for our skin to be able to create Vitamin D. So, we need to look for other sources…
Vitamin D is found in food such as oily fish and red meat, but it can be difficult to get enough Vitamin D from food alone, which is why the NHS recommend that everyone should consider taking a daily Vitamin D supplement throughout the winter months.
Cantabria Labs, Spain, the manufacturers of Heliocare, are dedicated to improving the health and lives of people worldwide, bringing them products that meet rigorous safety standards so that their customers can use them with complete confidence. Cantabria Labs do not test their cosmetics on animals and they never request that third parties carry out such tests on their behalf. They are fully compliant with current European cosmetic product legislation prohibiting animal testing, both with respect to its end products and to the raw materials and ingredients used in its formulations.
Cantabria Labs assess the safety of their cosmetic products through the latest human volunteer in-vivo methods and laboratory based in-vitro studies.
Some customers will want to know about the availability of Cantabria Lab products in China as the Chinese authorities as part of their cosmetic products registration process commission a small number of safety tests that are still carried out on animals. These tests are required by law in China and are commissioned and carried out in China independent of the product manufacturer.
To ensure that Chinese people can benefit from their products as others do worldwide, Cantabria Labs have registered a small selection of their products in China. At the same time, they are committed to helping eliminate these tests and have lobbied the Chinese authorities to request that they ban these tests and use non-animal alternatives. Recently, innovative non-animal testing methods have received approval in China and Cantabria Labs are hopeful that these alternative methods will soon be adopted, and animal testing for cosmetics will finally be put to an end.
Cantabria Labs, the creator and manufacturer of Heliocare, are leaders in product innovation and committed to minimising their impact on the environment.
There is strong evidence regarding the potentially harmful effects of two filters on the coral reef, which will in fact be banned in a number of countries: octinoxate and oxybenzone.
As such, Cantabria Labs have ensured that the latest additions to the Heliocare 360° range, and any future developments don’t contain these ingredients.
Products that do not contain these ingredients include:
- Heliocare 360° Oil Free Gel
- Heliocare 360° Fluid Cream
- Heliocare 360° Mineral Tolerance Fluid
- Heliocare 360° Color Cushion Compacts (both colours)
- Heliocare 360° Gel Oil Free Color (all colours)
- Heliocare 360° Invisible Spray
- Heliocare 360° Water Gel
- Heliocare Ultra Gel SPF 90/50+
- Heliocare Ultra Cream SPF 90/50+
- Heliocare Color Gelcream SPF 50
Over time, the awareness, understanding and evidence behind sunscreens causing damage to the coral reef is growing – both from a research, conservation, and manufacturing point of view. It has come to light that some traditional filters regularly used in sunscreens can cause harm to the coral reef. Products that contain oxybenzone or octinoxate (also known as ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) have recently been banned in Hawaii for this reason.
While oxybenzone doesn’t feature in any Heliocare products, octinoxate is in some of the Heliocare products, however Cantabria Labs are working on removing octinoxate from all Heliocare formulations.
Absolutely not. Sunbeds are incredibly harmful to your skin. They use powerful doses of UVA and UVB – many give greater doses than midday tropical sun – and just one session can increase your risk of skin cancer.
According to studies, using sunbeds before the age of 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 59%
Many people that use sunbeds are naturally fair, and they are one of the groups of people that are at most risk from skin cancer.
The best way to avoid sunburn is to enjoy the sun sensibly by covering up, seeking shade – particularly when the sun is at its strongest, and applying sun protection liberally and regularly.
We always recommend choosing SPF50 or 50+ when you’re on holiday to protect from the heightened sun exposure, but also for use on a daily basis because we tend not to apply as much product, and we tend not to reapply as regularly.
To get the full SPF protection on the label you need to use 2mg of product per cm2 of skin – which equates to roughly a finger length of product for the face
Applying less than this hugely affects the SPF protection that you’re getting.
The relationship between the amount of product that you use and the SPF protection isn’t linear – for example, if you use SPF15 but apply half as much as is recommended, the SPF doesn’t just half, it drops to just under 4.
The amount that you’re using is crucial in the level of protection that you’re getting, and by using a higher SPF we’re giving ourselves the best chance of giving our skin a high level of protection.
To get the full level of protection stated on the packaging (both the PA rating for UVA protection and the SPF level for UVB protection), you need to apply 2mg of product per cm2 of skin – which equates to roughly a finger length of product for the face.
Applying less than this hugely affects the SPF protection that you’re getting.
Apply your sun protection product as the last product before you apply any make-up. Make sure you get right up to the hairline and around the eye – taking care not to get any product in the eye.
Apply to any exposed areas – the neck and back of hands are often forgotten and tend to get a lot of exposure to the sun and daylight.
We recommend re-applying your sun protection every 2-3 hours during periods of intense sun exposure, after swimming, sweating or toweling the skin.
It can be tricky to reapply your sun protection during the day once you have your makeup on top – the Heliocare 360° color compacts are a great way of topping up your protection and foundation in one go – they’re really handy to have in your handbag.
No, as with any Heliocare product we need to avoid contact with the eyes, so spraying product onto the face is not recommended – particularly with the Invisible Spray which has a very fine spray. We recommend that you find the Heliocare 360° facial product that suits your skin perfectly, and use that on the face.
It’s the natural colour of the ingredients that gives the Heliocare 360° Fluid Cream. Although it does dry clear, this natural tone combined with the dewy finish does help to even the skin tone and give it a radiant glow.
‘Tanning’ occurs when the skin is exposed to the sun. This stimulates the production of melanin which is your skin’s own method of trying to protect itself from damage that is being caused by the sun – it’s melanin that gives your skin it’s colour/tan.
Regardless of whether you burn or tan, your skin will still be damaged by the sun.
The PA + rating is an internationally recognised standard for measuring the level of protection a product provides against UVA.
PA ratings are established through the Persistent Pigment Darkening Test (PPD), which is carried out on human skin. It’s the only UVA test done in this way, and is the test that has the closest correlation with SPF testing (the amount of product, and calculations used are very similar). The test measures the skins response to UVA, which is then assessed against a grading system of PA + to PA ++++ (with 4 + being the highest level of protection, giving up to 16 times greater protection when the product is used).
Heliocare products are not tested against the Boots Star Rating, which although used in the UK, has not been adopted as a major international standard.
It has, however, been recognised that consumers need a clearer way of establishing the level of UVA protection that they get from products, which is why the latest Heliocare range (Heliocare 360°) and any future developments are given a PA + rating, which is an internationally recognised standard.
PA ratings are established through the Persistent Pigment Darkening Test (PPD), which is carried out on human skin. It’s the only UVA test done in this way, and is the test that has the closest correlation with SPF testing (the amount of product, and calculations used are very similar). The test measures the skins response to UVA, which is then assessed against a grading system of PA + to PA ++++ (with 4 + being the highest level of protection, giving up to 16 times greater protection when the product is used).
More recent studies into sun protection have also shown the importance of protecting the skin against damage caused by not only UVA and UVB, but also visible light and infrared-A. The Heliocare 360° range takes these studies into consideration, and also protects the skin against visible light and infrared-A, which are present all year round, penetrating cloud and even glass.
Although there are no known side effects, Heliocare 360° Capsules are not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Research isn’t carried out in this group, so there is not enough evidence to confirm its safety.
The Heliocare 360° facial products are alcohol free.
We would recommend a patch test to ensure the product is suitable for the skin, however as sunlight can be a major trigger for rosacea, so using sun protection can often help by protecting the skin and preventing a flare up.
The Heliocare 360° Mineral Tolerance and Water Gel have both been tested on sensitive skin, so it may be beneficial for you to choose between those.
There are no known risks of using Heliocare topical products during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Visible light is a major trigger for pigmentation – for this reason if you suffer with melasma we’d recommend choosing from the Heliocare 360˚ range, which not only protects against UV, but also visible light and infrared-A. Simply choose the product that most suits your skin type. The Color products offer protection and foundation coverage in one, which will also help to even out your complexion
Heliocare Oral Capsules have been proven to reduce the severity of melasma when used as an adjunctive treatment. Simply take one capsule in the morning when you’re spending any time in the sun to give your skin the ultimate protection (always use in combination with one of the Heliocare 360° topical creams or gels).
Yes, Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum (at 400-495nm), and Heliocare 360° provides protection against this as well as UV and infrared-A.
The majority of Heliocare products, with the exception of the Heliocare 360° Mineral Tolerance Fluid, contain a combination of mineral and non-mineral filters. This allows the highest level of protection in a combination of product textures to ensure that everyone can find a Heliocare product that suits their skin perfectly, and that they love to use every morning.
For those looking for a sun protection product with mineral only filters, the Heliocare 360° Mineral Tolerance Fluid is the ideal choice. It is absorbed quickly into the skin with a beautifully silky, clear finish without leaving any white residue.
Some chemicals can cause PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) as they can create irritation and therefore inflammation within the skin.
All Heliocare products are dermatologically tested and don’t cause irritation within the skin, hence they don’t cause the inflammation that could lead to PIH.
The Heliocare 360° range is a great choice if you’re wanting to help prevent sun-induced pigmentation. UVA and visible light are both known key stimulants of pigmentation. The Heliocare 360° range not only provides high level protection against UVA and UVB, but also visible light and infrared-A.
For infants we recommend using the Heliocare Paediatric products, which have been specially formulated for use on children from the age of 6 months. Although our guidance is that babies and young children should not be exposed to direct sun.
The Paediatric range features a mineral product – ideal for use on the face and also body – plus a lotion spray for easy application to the body. Both provide high levels of protection while being gentle and kind for young skin. Not only do they protect skin at its surface but also from within, featuring super-charged anti-oxidant Fernblock and DNA repair enzymes.
From the age of 3 children’s skin starts to become less fragile. If you wanted to move onto the other Heliocare products at this stage, you could do so. Generally, we recommend that you continue to use the paediatric products until the cosmetic feel and look of the products becomes important to your child, and where this may affect their use of the products.
Heliocare products can be used on infants from the age of 3. However there are Heliocare Paediatric products which have been specially formulated for use on children from the age of 6 months. Although our guidance is that babies and young children should not be exposed to direct sun.
From the age of 3 children’s skin starts to become less fragile. If you wanted to move onto the other Heliocare products at this stage, you could do so. Generally, we recommend that you continue to use the paediatric products until the cosmetic feel and look of the products becomes important to your child, and where this may affect their use of the products.
Heliocare capsules can be used by children from the age of 4 upwards.
SHOULD YOU EXPERIENCE ANY ADVERSE REACTION TO HELIOCARE – PLEASE CONTACT OUR PHARMACOVIGILANCE DEPARTMENT ON THE EMAIL BELOW WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE EVENT OCCURRING
Email: PRODUCTSURVEILLANCE@GENOP.CO.ZA
Yes, they are, the casings are made of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. They are also certified halaal
There is no safety data showing safely during pregnancy.
From the age of 4 upwards.
Light- generally skin type 1-2 and Brown best suited for skin type 3-4.
You can use the Oil free 360, as well as the Watergel
In the Advanced range you can use the Advanced Oil Free Gel SPF 50 OR the Ultra Gel 90.
Heliocare filters are micronized “transparent” so they are very easily spread and dispersed. The gel fomulations , due to the lighter texture, may be a better choice on darker skin tones.
The capsules are a concentration of the patented Fernblock extract. Fernblock has been proven as providing superior Anti-oxidant, DNA protection & Repair, Immunological, Photo-aging and Pigmentation protection. It will provide protection for your skin when you have forgotten to apply or not applied sufficient sunscreen such as the ears, hair parting on scalp, neck ect. The capsules can also be used if you have skin type 1-2 (fair skin) and burn easily. The capsules have the ability to protect the skin from oxidative stress, improve skin resistance and can reduce sunburnt cells by as much as 80%.
You most certainly can if you suffer from sun related pathologies such as poly-morphic light eruption or melasma. They can also be used during times of intense sun exposure. The capsule is effective after 30 min of ingesting thus it is important to take the capsule 30 min prior to direct sun exposure (great for runners, cyclists, water based sports and sunny holidays)
The 360 Capsules contain Fernblock + (higher concentration of the Fernblock extract), N-acetylcysteine (Essential to replenish glutathione) as well as Niacinamide and Pre-biotics. The Ultra Capsules contain Standardized Fernblock extract, as well as Vitamin C & E and Lutein (Lutein functions as a light filter, protecting the eye tissues from sunlight damage) and Lycopene (protection against sunburns and certain types of cancers)
No. The sunscreen is still recommended because the filters in the topical sunscreen will stop the suns rays from entering the skin. The capsule is there to provide an additional anti-oxidant and DNA repairing protection to the skin where sunscreen has been insufficiently applied.
The Heliocare 360 Pediatrics range is safe for babies from 3 months old.
Yes- Heliocare is non-comedogenic, paraben and alcohol free
The Heliocare 360 Watergel, Pigment Solution Fluid, Age-Active Fluid, MD AK Fluid as well as the Pediatrics Mineral and Pediatrics Lotion have good skin and ocular tolerance. Tested under dermatological and ophtalmologic control.