Sun Care In Brief
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
La Roche-Posay Expands SOS Campaign
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La Roche-Posay Expands SOS Campaign This year, L’Oreal brand’s SOS (Save Our Skin) campaign includes a new Facebook page and an iPhone application, “My UV Check,” which “will provide an index for the day’s UVA and UVB exposure in the user’s location, educate and alert users of the dangers of UVA and UVB exposure, and much more,” according to April 28 release. La Roche-Posay also will distribute more than 8,000 kits to dermatologists to help educate consumers about the importance of regular skin checks, as well as offer skin checks at two New York Yankees games. Furthermore, the brand will make a grant of $750,000 to the Women’s Dermatologic Society over a three-year period to support the group’s Play Safe in the Sun initiative, aimed at raising sun-safety awareness through community service outreach events across 50 U.S. cities. Attendees of sponsored events, including women’s golf and tennis matches – will receive Anthelios sunscreen samples and educational materials, courtesy of La Roche-Posay. The company says last year, when SOS debuted, it drew “hundreds” for skin checks, and in a third of those evaluations “suspicious lesions were found that resulted in dermatological referrals for further investigation.” Banana Boat Offering “Sun Certification” Energizer Holdings brand recognizes Skin Cancer Prevention month with invitation to consumers to get “sun-certified” by taking a short quiz on the Banana Boat Facebook page. Upon completion of the quiz, consumers earn a “badge” to display on their own Facebook wall, and for every individual who participates Banana Boat will donate $1 to support the Skin Cancer Foundation’s awareness work, for a total donation of up to $101,000, according to May 11 release. Brand’s “sun experts” – dermatologist Julie K. Karen, magazine editor and family lifestyle expert Amy E. Goodman and Olympic gold-medal-winning captain of the U.S. women’s soccer team Christie Rampone – will offer advice and converse live online as part of Banana Boat’s Sun 101 education campaign “to give Americans the basic information they need to enjoy the sun without worry.” Hain Celestial Touts “Non-Toxic” Formulas Noting that “the sun is life-giving to the world’s ecosystems, but without proper precautions it can be deadly to the skin,” Hain Celestial urges consumers to protect themselves this summer with “safe, natural sunscreens formulated without risky chemicals.” The Melville, N.Y. firm recommends items from its JASON and Alba Botanical brands, which deliver effective protection without the use of “risky chemicals found in conventional sunscreens, such as avobenzone, oxybenzone or paraben preservatives.” According to firm’s May 16 release, six of its Alba formulas have earned the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, “widely recognized as a true testament to efficacy.” Emphasizing the importance of daily sunscreen application and regular full-body screens, Hain President and CEO Irwin D. Simon states: “As someone who survived skin cancer more than 15 years ago, I learned the hard way.” MDSolarSciences Norwalk, Conn.-based dermatologist brand says its newest sun-protection product, Mineral Screen Tinted Gel 30+, “is formulated to very high UVA and UVB protection standards.” Suited for teens with acne or adults with acne-prone skin, the 1.23-oz. product sells online for $24. The gel, like MDSolarSciences’ other mineral-based formulas, contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The brand also markets Quick Dry Body Spray SPF 40 ($21), “ideal for all-over body use,” and Ultra Sport Stick SPF 40 ($16), “ideal for the face, lips, ears and around the eyes,” as well as protective apparel for men, women and children, including UPF 50+ hats that range in price from $18 to $35. A line of UV 400 screened protective eyewear is under development, according to MDSS’s recent release. Touting itself as “the first dermatologist-driven company dedicated to primary skin cancer protection and prevention,” MDSS collaborates with the Melanoma Research Foundation and other like-minded organizations and packages its sunscreens with a SolALERT card, which serves as a personal UV detection device. Products are available through physicians’ offices and MDSolarSciences.com. |