What did sun protection look like 25 years ago?

That’s the question Garnier Ombrelle is asking as they reflect back on the last two and a half decades. Here are just a few surprising facts about sun protection over the last 25 years:

• In the 80s, the goal for most people was the achieve a brown glow. Sun screen or sun block was used to prevent sun burn but allowed rays in for tanning. In fact, for kids, SPF numbers were around 2, 4 and 8!
• In 1990, Ombrelle was founded by a Canadian entrepreneur who worked closely with the dermatological community.
• Throughout the 90s, sunscreens offered protection against UVB rays (which cause burn), but fell short when it came to UVA rays (which are responsible for aging and skin cancer). In response, Ombrelle launched Parsol 1789, a new and effective UVA filter that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• In 1997, L’Oréal’s patented Mexoryl SX was added to Ombrelle’s formula, making it the only sun protection brand to feature 2 UVA filters.
• By the late 90s and early 2000s, Canadians were becoming more aware of the importance of sun protection. From 1998 to today, Ombrelle has launched several sun safety programs, including Mission UVA, Water Sun and Safety, UV Patrol and the Ombrelle Tree Planting Program.
• In 2010, Ombrelle began a relationship with Canadian sports, partnering first with the Canadian Diving Team, and in 2013, the Canadian Soccer Association.

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, Ombrelle has launched two new products:

Ombrelle Ultra Light Advanced SPF 50+ Weightless Body Lotion is an ultra-fluid, lightweight lotion with broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection (120 mL, $20).

Ombrelle 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50+ for Kids is a natural sunscreen enriched with titanium dioxide (100 mL, $20).

For more sun protection tips, visit the Canadian Dermatology Association’s website at dermatlogy.ca and check out The Environmental Defence Guide to Sunscreen at environmentaldefence.ca.