Heliocare 360°: The Complete Guide to Full-Spectrum Sun Protection

Heliocare 360°: full-spectrum sun protection, explained

Why ordinary SPF only tells half the story

Reach for a standard sunscreen and you're covered against UVA and UVB. Good start, but it isn't the full picture. Visible light, including the blue light from screens, and infrared-A, the heat you feel from the sun, both play a part in how skin ages too, and most sunscreens ignore them completely. Heliocare 360° is built around covering the lot.

What "360°" is getting at

The name is the promise. Heliocare 360° aims at the whole range of daylight that reaches your skin: UVA, which goes deep and drives visible ageing; UVB, which does the burning and surface damage; visible light, HEV blue light included; and infrared-A, the heat side of sunlight. Cover only two of those four and you've left gaps – the point of full-spectrum protection is closing them.

Fernblock, the ingredient that makes it different

Every Heliocare product is built on Fernblock, an antioxidant drawn from a fern called Polypodium leucotomos. It isn't a filler botanical extract added for a nicer ingredients list. Fernblock brings antioxidant support that works alongside the sunscreen filters, helping the formula do more than block – it also helps skin cope with the daily oxidative stress that daylight brings.

Finding the right one for your skin

• Oily or breakout-prone skin – Gel Oil-Free SPF50 has a mattifying finish; Acnimat SPF50+ is formulated with breakout-prone skin in mind
• Any skin type – Sensation SPF50+ is ultralight with no cast; Water Gel SPF50+ is hydrating and easy to make a daily habit
• Uneven tone – Pigment Solution Fluid SPF50+ pairs sun protection with a system that targets the appearance of dark patches
• Sensitive or redness-prone skin – A-R Emulsion SPF50+ suits reactive skin; Mineral Tolerance Fluid SPF50 uses 100% mineral filters for the most sensitive types
• Ageing concerns – Age Active Fluid SPF50 offers high protection while helping skin look smoother and more even over time
• Maximum cover – AK Fluid SPF100+ is the heavy-duty option, aimed at skin that's had a procedure or needs very high protection

Beyond the face, the range covers the body and sport too: Advanced Gel Body SPF50 for the whole family, Invisible Spray SPF50+ for speed, Body Glow SPF50+ for a bit of radiance, and a SPORT Transparent Stick SPF50+ for reapplying on the move. There's also a children's line, including Pediatrics Mineral SPF50+ and an Atopic Lotion Spray for drier, more delicate skin.

Protection you take by mouth

Topical SPF is the main event, but Heliocare also makes oral capsules to sit alongside it – a complement, never a replacement. You still need sunscreen on your skin. Heliocare 360° Capsules offer daily antioxidant support, Ultra-D Capsules add vitamin D for those keeping out of the sun, and 360° D-Plus Capsules give a higher level of antioxidant support.

Applying it properly

The best sunscreen in the world underperforms if you use it wrong, and most people do. Use plenty – nearly everyone applies too little, which quietly reduces the protection you're getting. Put it on 15 to 20 minutes before you head out, top up every couple of hours and after swimming or sweating, and don't forget the neck, ears and the backs of your hands.

The one habit worth keeping

If you do a single thing for how your skin ages, make it daily sun protection. Heliocare 360° goes further than basic SPF by covering visible light and infrared too, with Fernblock's antioxidant support built in. Wear it every day, apply enough, and reapply. Browse the full Heliocare range, or see how it compares with everyday sunscreens in our guide to broad-spectrum facial sunscreen.

Frequently asked questions

What does Heliocare 360° protect against that a normal sunscreen doesn't?

Alongside UVA and UVB, Heliocare 360° is formulated to help defend against visible light (including blue light) and infrared-A, neither of which standard SPF ratings account for.

What is Fernblock and why is it in every Heliocare product?

Fernblock is an antioxidant extract from the fern Polypodium leucotomos. It works alongside the sunscreen filters to help skin cope with the oxidative stress caused by daily light exposure.

Do I still need to apply sunscreen if I take Heliocare capsules?

Yes. The capsules are designed to complement topical sunscreen, not replace it. Apply a Heliocare 360° topical product every day and add the capsules for extra support.

Which Heliocare product suits oily, breakout-prone skin?

Gel Oil-Free SPF50 has a mattifying finish that suits oily and combination skin, while Acnimat SPF50+ is formulated specifically for breakout-prone skin.