Lovea launches an organic SPF 50 sun cream
The company, previously Laboratoires Serval, has been focusing on organic sun care since 2006 and sells its range through major supermarkets in an attempt to touch a wider public with more affordable products.
Its new Ecocert Greenlife certified SPF 50 sun cream for the face retails at €11.99 and joins a range of sun care products including an SPF15 medium protection cream, as well as an SPF 30 spray designed for kids.
Getting the formulation up to SPF 50 with a UVA that fits the European Regulation (a UVA protection of a third of that for UVB) was a challenge, according to scientific director Didier Guerin.
“It is not difficult to reach high levels of protection with a high mineral filter load, what is challenging is doing it in a formula that retains the right texture and does not leave white marks all over the face,” he told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.
Mineral filters cannot be certified
In addition, the formulation contains 99 per cent of ingredients from natural origin and an organic count of between 10-15 per cent, therefore qualifying for Ecocert Greenlife certification.
According to Guerin, the mineral filters make up a large proportion of the formula and as these cannot be certified organic (they are not of vegetable origin).
The high level of the filters also explains why the formulation is marketed for the face rather than as a body formulation.
“It is difficult to get an emulsion of the right texture for the body using such high levels of filters, in addition, they are costly, so a large volume of the product would have a much higher retail price,” Guerin explained.
Lovea’s formulation includes the mineral filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, along with a number of anti-ageing actives including argan oil and olive extract, known for their skin restructuring and antioxidant properties.
In addition, Lovea has added an extract from the dartrier plant (Cassia alata) native to the Amazon as it is believed to help protect DNA from UV damage, as well as stimulating the body’s DNA-repairing systems.
