Charles Rosier and Professor Augustinus Bader—cofounders of the luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader—have launched The Sunscreen, calling it “the biggest innovation in sun protection” in decades. Despite Bader’s long-standing avoidance of traditional sun creams due to chemical concerns and Rosier’s casual approach to SPF, both now swear by their new product, which combines high protection (SPF 50) with skin-repairing technology.
This shift is emblematic of a broader evolution in the skincare industry. Brands like Sisley are also innovating, focusing not just on shielding from UV rays but also preserving collagen and elastin with anti-aging benefits. Still, a growing number of dermatologists, like Professor Brian Diffey of Newcastle University, challenge the daily-use narrative. Diffey argues that applying sunscreen every day—especially during low UV index days in winter—is unnecessary for most people and may encourage overexposure to questionable chemical ingredients.
The concern isn’t limited to usage habits. Scientific scrutiny is growing around certain ingredients in chemical sunscreens. In the U.S., where the FDA hasn’t approved a new sunscreen ingredient since 2006, Bader’s team even developed a separate mineral-only formula to meet regulatory standards. The takeaway? Sunscreen should be used strategically—when UV exposure is significant or after procedures like laser treatments—and combined with physical barriers like hats, clothing, and shade.
So, while SPF remains crucial under high sun exposure, blind daily application may not be the universal answer. As Augustinus Bader puts it: “The sun is a double-edged sword.” The real key lies in thoughtful, personalized protection.
