MINISTRY OF DEFENSE / daily broad-spectrum UV protector / UVA 32 / SPF50+ / 50ml

YOUR SKIN AND ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Ultraviolet is the type of light you cannot see – our eyes can’t detect it. But in the last couple of decades, it’s become an established fact that UV radiation has a very big impact on skin. And most of it is not good for you.

UVA and UVB radiation is emitted by the Sun and is constantly penetrating your skin, no matter the season. It’s the leading cause of premature skin aging as well as a serious health concern. If we simplify things, we could say UVB is the type of UV that burns your skin, while UVA causes pigment spots and changes in deeper layers of your skin. The effects of both types can be:

• wrinkles
• pigment spots and patches
• “leathery” skin
• “older” looking skin
• breakdown and loss of collagen and elastin
• redness
• dry skin
• more serious changes such as melanoma

Protecting against UV radiation is not very exciting for most. You can’t see it and it works in the long-term. But once you understand UV radiation, not your age, is the leading cause of your skin looking older, things quickly change!

We designed MINISTRY OF DEFENSE as your personal UV protector – a light, easy-to-wear cream that will make daily UV protection a simple part of your routine.

PEPTIDES & CENTELLA

We love multifunctional formulations! That’s why we added an antiaging boost to MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) and Centella Asiatic! They give this cream hydrating, skin-calming, barrier-strenghtening effects.

TEXTURE & FEEL

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE is a hydrating cream. It spreads easily, doesn’t leave a white residue, doesn’t clog pores and doesn’t leave a shiny (oily) cast.

It is unscented (no parfumes or essential oils).

“Will it feel heavy?”
Simply put – no. This is something we are all worried about when it comes to UV protection. We understand many UV creams feel thick or heavy (“Like a mask on my face!”) and a lot of it has to do with the high amount of UV filters needed for high UV protection. Getting the feel right was a guiding principle when we formulated MINISTRY OF DEFENSE. Based on our test users, early users, friends & family and feedback from content creators, MINISTRY is a very light, easily wearable cream – exacly what we were going for. We are confident you will not find it heavy.

Also, if you are used to alcohol-based formulations, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE is different. It’s formulated as a hydrating cream with UV protection. It is alcohol-free.

“Will it sting my eyes?”
It shouldn’t. None of the UV filters used are known to cause eye stinging, nor have we received any such feedback from users.

ALL YEAR PROTECTION

While there’s less (but not zero!) UVB radiation during winter or bad weather, UVA doesn’t play along the same rules and is always present. It penetrates clouds,windows, fog – and your skin.

We designed MINISTRY OF DEFENCE as a year-round broad spectrum UV protector. Because UV radiation is pretty much the main cause of skin aging and changes on the skin, it makes sense to keep skin protected every day. That’s why our formulation has such a high UVA and UVB protection.

SPF & UVA RESULTS

LABORATORY TESTED FOR EFFECTIVENESS

You can’t really feel if your UV cream is working, so trust is everything. MINISTRY OF DEFENCE is backed with laboratory tests in accordance with the standards recommended by EU (ISO 24443:2019, ISO 24443:2021 and regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), which gives you (and us!) peace of mind that it really works.

SPF TEST (in vivo)

The gold standard for UVB protection. Tested on volunteers, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE reached an average SPF of 65.8. This puts it in the “very high protection” category (SPF 50+). 

This tests lets you know that the cream very effectively protects against UVB radiation.

UVA TEST (UVA-PF, in vitro)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE was tested according to ISO 24443:2021, which is the recommended standard for UVA testing in European Union. Our formulation reached an UVA protection factor of 32.2.

This tests lets you know that the cream very effectively protects against UVA radiation.

“What about PPD?”
PPD is a just a different method of testing UVA, not a different protection parameter. The results of in vitro UVA test and PPD test are comparable – they both give you an UVA protection factor and the number should be very similar. However, PPD needs volunteers, while in vitro UVA-PF does not. The recommendation of EU is to choose in vitro (basically meaning not on humans, but with specialized laboratory equipment) methods where possible, because they, in contrast to volunteer-based methods, do not pose a health risk to the volunteers.

BROAD SPECTRUM: CRITICAL WAVELENGTH & SPF/UVA ratio

A broad spectrum UV protector needs to cover both UVB and UVA spectrum of ultraviolet radiation. To ensure this, we measure the critical wavelength and the ratio between the two factors.

A formulation has to satisfy two conditions: absorb UV radiation at a wavelenght of at least 370nm (we’re simplifying, it’s a bit more technical than that) and the ratio of UVA/SPF needs to be at least 0,33 (basically, UVA factor has to be at least one-third of SPF).

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE reached a critical wavelength of 377nm and UVA/SPF ratio 0,49.

As this is more than 1/3 of SPF and the critical wavelength criteria is exceeded, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE carries the broad-spectrum UVA badge (UVA in a circle). This lets you known the cream is a broad-spectrum UV protector.

DERMATOLOGICAL TEST

Our formulation is designed for everyday wear, for every skin type. To make sure it’s well tolerated by different skins, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE underwent a dermatological patch test (under the supervision of dermatologists) on 20 volunteers with different skin types (normal, dry, oily, mixed). Results: zero reactions after 48 and 72 hours!

The test was done in accordance with Regulation of the European Parliament and Council Regulation
(EC) No 1223/2009 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetics.

This tests lets you know the formulation is very unlikely to irritate your skin. As with every cosmetic product, if your skin is very sensitive or often reacts to skincare, first test the cream on a smaller area.

Key Ingredients

5 modern, photostable UV filters

Organic filters work by absorbing energy from UV radiation, which protects your skin from its effects. The modern filters in MINISTRY OF DEFENSE are photostable, non-irritating to skin or eyes, and offer great broad-spectrum (both UVA and UVB) protection.

European Union has one of the strictest regulations regarding UV filters. All used filters are on the EU’s Allowed UV Filters list.

Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica (also Gotu Kola or Cica, as it’s commonly known) is an amazing ingredient that stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in your skin. It has firming, regenerative properties and works as an anti-irritant that helps sooth skin inflammations.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline)

We added peptides for their moisturizing properties and an extra anti-aging boost.

Probably the world’s most famous peptide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is known for its “botox-like effect”. This neurotransmiter peptide aims to inhibit the movement of small muscles that are activated when you make facial expressions (such as smiling or frowning). The effects are reduced wrinkle depth and slowed new wrinkle formation.

Saccharide Isomerate

A great moisturiser to help with water-retention and strengthening the skin barrier. It helps keep you skin hydrated, smooth and calm.

INCI

INCI / Ingredients

Trust starts with honesty. We stand behind our formulations and our choice of ingredients. We want to be 100% transparent about what you’re putting on your skin, so here’s more details about every ingredient of this product.

Aqua
Purified water, acts as a solvent and carrier of other actives.

Dibutyl Adipate
An emollient that also serves as a solubilizer for UV filters.

Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV filter. See key ingredients.

Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV filter. See key ingredients.

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV filter. See key ingredients.

Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV filter. See key ingredients.

Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV filter. See key ingredients.

Propylene Glycol
Moisturizer that also acts as a solvent for other actives.

Glycerin
Natural humectant.

Distarch Phosphate
Modified corn starch. Absorbs excess oils and gives a smooth, silky feel.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
An emollient that also serves as a solubilizer for some UV filters.

Saccharide Isomerate
A moisturizer. See key ingredients.

Coco-caprylate
Emolient, an alternative for silicones.

Centella Asiatica Extract
See key ingredients above.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
See key ingredients above.

Coco-glucoside
Naturally derived emulsifier.

Decyl Glucoside
Naturally derived emulsifier.

1,2-hexanediol
Moisturizer that also acts as a solvent for other actives.

Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster that also acts as an emollient and humectant.

Glyceryl Citrate, Lactate, Linoleate, Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Emulsifier and components of the stability system.

Phenoxyethanol
Preservative for skincare. Prevents the growth of microorganism in your product (yuck!) and makes sure it doesn’t go bad in a week.

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Synthetic polymer and emolient that gives a smooth feel to the emulsion.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane
A skin-friendly silicone that gives the cream good spreadability and feel.

Vinyl Dimethicone/methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Thickener and emulsifier.

Ethylene/propylene Copolymer
Synthetic polymer to enhance emulsion stability.

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Thickener and emulsifier, microplastic-free.

Tocopherol
Vitamin E.

Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Preservative for skincare. Prevents the growth of microorganism in your product (yuck!) and makes sure it doesn’t go bad in a week.

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Thickener and emulsifier.

Sodium Phytate
Natural chelating agent, also works also as a preservative and against oxidation.

Sodium Hydroxide
A pH balancer that makes the product’s pH suitable for your skin and actives.

Alcohol
Part of the preservative system, used in a very small amount. This formulation has no added alcohol (like alcohol denat) an is not alcohol-based.

How To Use

Use MINISTRY OF DEFENSE as the last product in your morning routine. Use a sufficient amount of product – approximately two fingers or 1/4 of a teaspoon.

Notices & warnings

No UV skincare product provides 100% protection against UV radiation. Don’t stay too long in the sun, even while using a UV protection product. Over-exposure to sun is a serious health threat. Keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight.

Use a sufficient amount of product – approximately two fingers or 1/4 of a teaspoon. Apply before exposure
to sun. Regularly reapply to maintain protection, especially after perspiring, swimming or towelling. Using a smaller amount of product will lower the level of protection.