For decades, sun protection meant applying lotion before hitting the beach. Current scientific understanding reveals a more complex picture. Cumulative sun exposure is a major contributor to skin aging and visible skin damage, making protection a necessity, not an option.
Colombia’s geographic location places it among the countries with the highest levels of ultraviolet radiation worldwide, underscoring the importance of this issue as a public health priority that is often underestimated.
Cantabria Labs, a leading dermatology-prescribed brand in Europe and present in over 100 countries, has been developing scientific solutions to this problem for more than 20 years. Their latest innovation represents a recent chapter in photoprotection.
The company, guided by its mission to celebrate life, has developed Aspa-Fernblock, a technology combining two naturally derived extracts: Fernblock, obtained from the Polypodium leucotomos fern and studied for over two decades with leading international dermatologists; and an extract from Aspalathus linearis, known for its antioxidant properties. Together, these extracts enhance protection against the oxidative stress caused by solar radiation on the skin.
What sets this combination apart is its ability to not only act as a barrier, but also to bolster antioxidant protection against the oxidative stress generated by the sun, before visible effects appear.
This technology is also notable for its ability, when combined with sun filters in specific formulations, to protect skin from all four types of radiation – UVB, UVA, visible light, and infrared – a level of comprehensive protection not offered by all products on the market. This broader protection is significant, as different types of radiation contribute to skin damage.
Most conventional sunscreens primarily protect against UVB and, to a lesser extent, UVA. Visible light and infrared radiation, which also contribute to photoaging and skin damage, often go unprotected with standard products. This technology aims to address that gap.
Protection From the Inside Out
This philosophy is embodied in Heliocare, Cantabria Labs’ photoprotection line, which integrates the In&Out model – topical products and oral supplements working together for complete sun protection. The brand has over 50 scientific publications related to its key ingredients and offers solutions tailored to different skin types, phototypes, and lifestyles.
This means Notice options available for oily, combination, dry, and sensitive skin, as well as for individuals with varying levels of sun exposure based on their daily routines or outdoor activities.
The relationship between sun exposure and vitamin D is complex. Intense radiation generates oxidative stress in the skin, which can interfere with the process that activates this vitamin. This apparent contradiction is a central focus of Aspa-Fernblock’s recent research, investigating how the technology can help maintain this balance during sun exposure.
This is a significant finding, backed by years of clinical perform, trials, and collaborations with dermatological specialists globally, giving the technology a robustness that extends beyond marketing claims. For the Colombian market, where sun exposure is intense and consistent year-round, this research has concrete implications.
Cantabria Labs’ evolution, from the development of Fernblock to the incorporation of Aspa-Fernblock, demonstrates a commitment few brands can substantiate with evidence: protecting skin from the sun is also a way to safeguard long-term health. In a country where the sun is a constant presence, this conversation can no longer be delayed.
