Charlotte Chen Pineaar, Founder of Everyday Humans answers our questions about the usage of everyday sunscreen.
It shouldn’t be that hard to do, but somehow, wearing sunscreen is the one thing we’ve heard that most people skip when it comes to their skincare routines. And we get it. There’s still this belief that most sunscreens are greasy and chalky while leaving behind a greyish cast over the skin. Sure, this may be the case for physical sunscreens due to the active ingredients in it that work to reflect sun rays from the skin, but if there’s one thing to note it’s that today’s formulas are much better than what it used to be.
This is what mom of two, Charlotte Chen Pineaar set out to do with her skincare brand, Everyday Humans, which currently offers different types of sunscreens for the face and body. “I used to tan a lot when I was in my teens. And now that I’m in my 30s, I wished somebody had told me that sunscreen is the most vital weapon against anti-ageing,” she says.
“Sunscreen in the olden days was pretty boring – you’ve got supermarket brands and then you’ve got the premium ones where most people couldn’t afford. I wanted to find something that speaks to me. Our compelling standpoint is that we’re really for the Gen Z and working millennial. So the clue is in the name – we make products for everyday humans that have no fuss and no empty promises. We’re all about creating better basics for you every day. All our packaging is recyclable using biodegradable plastic and all of our formulas are cruelty-free. We are all about creating a brand that hits all the spots and are one of the sunscreen brands that are more affordable, sustainable and non-toxic than the other guys that are out there.”
With fun product names such as Resting Beach Face and Oh My Bod! (which she and her husband come up with together) and comfy formulations, Everyday Humans is fast becoming a go-to sunscreen brand globally. She tell us more about sun protection in a virtual interview hosted by Sephora Malaysia:
Does it matter if the sunscreen has PA+++ behind the number?
“Actually the PA+++ is a regulatory thing that certain countries implement. So our products are made in Australia and the US, hence we have the ‘Broad Spectrum SPF 30 or 50’ signage. The PA+++ signage is from Japan and Korea, and every country has their own way of evaluating the UVA/UVB rays. Europe also uses this system. We didn’t put it on the pack but we also pass PA+++. So it depends whose government body you trust to let you know if that sunscreen is for real.”
If you’re already wearing the Resting Beach Face sunscreen serum, is it necessary to to top up with another layer of sunscreen? How much is enough?
“I always do a two-finger rule (holds up a peace sign) and this is how much you should use. Our sunscreen serum is actually a sunscreen, meaning it’s not a moisturiser plus sunscreen. It has enough for you to not need to top up and you can use it as a base. It’s really invisible and works on different skin tones.”
Nowadays, makeup like foundation or tinted moisturisers come with SPF. Is that not enough? Do you still need that layer of sunscreen underneath?
“Well, basically you can, but your protection just won’t last that long and you’d have to top-up, which nobody usually does. If it’s a foundation or tinted moisturiser, it’s not a real sunscreen. What you would need to do is use your sunscreen as a base or primer, and then you put your foundation on. So if you want to get it once and done, just put a layer of sunscreen instead of having to top-up once every one to two hours.”
Do you really need different types of SPF for the face and body?
“That depends on what you’re looking for. Generally, when you formulate for the face, you don’t want it to be super greasy that it blocks your pores and you don’t need it to be super water-resistant. What we formulate for the body is actually what you can exercise and sweat in so it is slightly thicker than what you put on the face. However, there’s nothing wrong with you putting on a body sunscreen on your face.
Check these out!
Resting Beach Face SPF 30 Sunscreen Serum, RM118
“This is our hero product. It’s the one that keeps on giving. It’s basically a two-in-one solution that saves you time. You can put it underneath your makeup or wear it alone and it gives you a nice glowy finish. It has hyaluronic acid, which is a super moisture booster and green tea, an antioxidant. It’s super lightweight, serum-like and multipurpose so you can use it everyday.”
Rose S’il Vous Plait SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen, RM118
“This is formulated for people with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. This has been clinically tested to be non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t clog your pores. it’s slightly thicker than Resting Beach Face and has a matte finish. It’s a vegan, fragrance-free and non-toxic mineral sunscreen at an affordable price.”
No Problemo Pre & Post-Sun Water
“This is my take on an aloe vera mist. You know when you get a sunburn, you use an aloe vera cream. But we wanted a product that you don’t just use when you’re burnt and we wanted to create a multi-purpose element. This is cucumber water-based so it’s really refreshing. It has prickly pear extract that’s really soothing and helps you to protect your skin and soothe sun damage.”
Everyday Humans is available at Sephora Malaysia.
