Altruist Dermatological Sunscreens

Altruist – Dermatologist-developed superior protection for your skin

Developed by British dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr. Andrew Birnie, Altruist brings medical-grade sun protection and skincare within everyone's reach – without compromising on quality.

The secret to Altruist products lies in their top-tier SPF protection factors and one of the highest PPD requirements (UVA protection) on the market.

What does high PPD mean?

While the ordinary sun protection factor (SPF) measures protection against sunburn-causing UVB rays, PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) measures a product's ability to protect the skin from deeper-penetrating UVA rays. A high PPD value means that the product forms an exceptionally strong shield against those invisible rays that cause permanent damage to the skin.

Did you know this? In the EU, UVA protection in sunscreens must be at least one-third (approx. 33%) of the product's SPF, which is indicated on the packaging with a circular UVA logo. However, Altruist does not settle for just minimum requirements: in many Altruist products, the PPD value (UVA protection) is exceptionally high, even over 50% or almost on par with the SPF value. This means manifold protection compared to regular sunscreens.

What specifically do UVA rays affect?

UVA rays are insidious: they do not burn the skin red, but they penetrate deep into the skin all year round, passing through cloud cover as well as windowpanes. UVA radiation affects the skin directly in three ways:

  1. Skin aging and wrinkles: It breaks down collagen and elastin, which are responsible for skin elasticity. As much as 90% of visible signs of skin aging are caused by the sun – that's why your most effective wrinkle cream is found in a sunscreen bottle.

  2. Sun allergy: The tormenting, itchy sun rashes and polymorphic light eruptions of spring and summer are triggered precisely by the power of UVA radiation. Altruist's high PPD protection prevents this reaction from erupting.

  3. Pigmentation changes: UVA radiation activates skin pigment cells, which deepens liver spots and melasma and creates new pigment spots. High PPD keeps pigment cells in a "resting state".

Protect your skin every day of the year

Because UVA rays are present whenever there is daylight – whether you are sitting in a car, at the office by a window, or spending a cloudy weekday outdoors – sunscreen is not just for beach days. It is the most important basic product in skincare every day of the year, keeping your skin healthy, calm, and youthful.

Altruist – 100% vegan and cruelty-free skincare

In the design of Altruist products, not only skin health but also ethics have been considered. All products in the range are completely free of animal-derived ingredients and suitable for vegans. For example, the composition-enhancing xanthan gum is completely plant-based and vegan. Altruist is committed to being cruelty-free.