What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of skin. They stimulate the production of free radicals in the skin which cause oxidative stress and can lead to indirect DNA damage where the free radicals modify cellular DNA over time. UVA rays are most commonly associated with photoaging (premature skin aging caused by the sun). They can also trigger sun allergies such as Polymorphous Light Eruption ( PLE ). UVB rays provide the energy your skin needs to make Vitamin D and stimulate the production of melanin which is skin’s own protection process to reduce cell damage and is responsible for tanning. UVB rays don’t travel as deeply as UVA rays, penetrating only the outermost layers of skin, but they cause more immediate damage such as sunburn. UVB rays are directly absorbed by cellular DNA which can lead to skin diseases such as actinic keratosis and skin cancer. Both types of UV can induce hyperpigmentation and may contribute to conditions such as sun spots (also known as age spots) and melasma .

Why is it important to apply and reapply sun protection thoroughly and regularly?

We tend to significantly under-apply protection to vital areas such as the face, neck, head, nose and scalp, which are key areas for over-exposure to harmful UVB and UVA rays. In fact, our study found that men leave 13% of the exposed body’s surface uncovered 1 when applying protection. It is therefore important to apply sun protection evenly to the face and sun-exposed areas of the body. The specified protection factor is only achieved with an applied amount of 2 mg per cm2. Wait for the product to be absorbed first before applying other cosmetic products. Reapply every two hours during sun exposure. Use finger-length amounts to determine the correct dosage. A finger length equates to roughly two grams of product. Apply as follows: Face: ½ finger length ca. 1g Neck: ½ finger length ca. 1g Scalp: 1 finger length ca. 2g Décolleté: ½ finger length ca. 1g Per forearm: 1 finger length ca. 2g Per back of hand: ½ finger length ca. 1g 1 Internal Beiersdorf study of 2016 on the use of sun protection amongst a sample of 52 (29 women, 23 men)

How can I protect my body from the sun?

Adopting a sensible attitude to the sun is the best way to minimize the risk of sun damage to skin: Avoid overexposure to the sun and keep out of direct sunlight during its most intense hours, which is between midday and 3pm. Keep skin covered with protective clothing, including a sun hat and glasses, whenever possible. Apply sun protection thoroughly, and reapply regularly, to ensure you maintain the level of coverage needed to protect from UV-induced skin damage. Remember that sun damage isn’t just for sunbathers. Harmful rays can affect skin even on cloudy days, so any part of your body that is regularly exposed (your neck, face, nose, hands, arms and décolleté for example) should be given appropriate protection all year round.

How do I know if Actinic Control MD SPF 100 is right for my skin?

Use this product if… - You’re looking for very high sun protection to prevent actinic keratosis or non-melanoma skin cancer. - You’re looking for very high sun protection as adjunctive to your treatment for actinic keratosis.

Actinic Control MD SPF 100

Name: Actinic Control MD SPF 100
Brand: Eucerin

Certified medical device with SPF 100 UVB and UVA protection

Prevents actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer

Light texture for everyday use

For the prevention of actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer

A light topical medical device for the prevention of actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer or as adjunctive treatment of actinic keratosis. With SPF 100 it provides very high UVB and UVA protection. It’s easy-to-apply, light fluid-texture is perfect for everyday use.

Sustainability & Environment

UV Filter system without Octocrylene

Free of Microplastics (according to UNEP definition)

Foldingbox made of FSC certified paper

Learn more about our sustainability program

Product info

For the prevention of actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer

Actinic Control MD SPF 100 is a certified medical device for the prevention of actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer. Furthermore, it serves as an adjunctive treatment for actinic keratosis.

UV-induced DNA damage to keratinocytes can cause actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis is the most common pre-cancer on the skin, potentially progressing into non-melanoma skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) if left untreated.

But the right sun protection can make all the difference.

The high effectiveness of Actinic Control MD comes from its high SPF 100. The higher the SPF, the more UVB-rays are blocked out – which are a major cause of cell damage.
The more UVB-rays are blocked out, the less cell damage the skin will accumulate during sun exposure. An SPF 100 for example blocks out about 99% of UVB-rays.
Additionally, the high SPF 100 can also compensate for sunscreen under-application.

As a light textured fluid, it is suitable for everyday use, making it pleasant to apply, and easy for you to stay protected while enjoying everyday outdoor activities.

Properties

light texture
fluid
fragrance-free

How To Use

Three steps to optimal sun protection

Select the right product

Choose a product that offers the right level of protection for your skin. It should protect against UVB and UVA rays and be suitable for your skin condition.

Use the right amount

It’s important to use a sufficient amount of product, which is 2mg per cm2 of skin and reapply it at regular intervals.

You can use your finger to roughly measure how much you need. A finger length equates to roughly two grams of product. For additional details, refer to the instructions on the product leaflet. Apply as follows:

Face: ½ finger length ca. 1g
Neck: ½ finger length ca. 1g
Scalp: 1 finger length ca. 2g
Décolleté: ½ finger length ca. 1g
Per forearm: 1 finger length ca. 2g
Per back of hand: ½ finger length ca. 1g

Apply thoroughly

Ensure that all exposed areas get the protection they need. Some parts are easy to miss. Don’t forget the ears, the back of the neck, the back and shoulders, the backs of the arms, the hands and feet and the areas at the edges of swimwear.

Eucerin research¹ indicates that, on average, approximately 14% of the back of the female body and 22% of the back of the male body is often exposed to the sun’s rays without any protection whatsoever. It is therefore important to not overlook any area.

1 Internal Beiersdorf study of 2016 on the use of sun protection amongst a sample of 52 (29 women, 23 men)

Important usage instructions

Use only on clean and intact skin.
Apply every morning in sufficient quantities (2 mg/cm²).
In case of direct sun exposure reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming, perspiring or towelling to maintain the original protection.
Reducing the quantity will lower the level of protection significantly.
Do not stay too long in the sun, even while using a sun protection product; over-exposure to the sun is a serious health threat.
Wear protective clothing and use sufficient sunscreen for unprotected areas.
Before applying cosmetic products (make-up, foundation, decorative cosmetics) please use Eucerin^® ACTINIC CONTROL MD SPF 100 first and wait until it has been fully absorbed before applying other products.
Daily and regular use throughout the year is necessary for optimal prevention.
Allow to absorb completely and avoid direct contact with textiles and hard surfaces to prevent staining.
Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes. In case of accidental eye contact please rinse with lukewarm water and contact a physician if symptoms persist.
Do not apply on cracked/broken skin or open wounds.
For patients undergoing pharmacological or surgical treatment of actinic keratosis the application of Eucerin^® ACTINIC CONTROL MD SPF 100 should be started once the lesions are closed/healed and according to your physician's recommendation.
There is no information available on the use of Eucerin^® ACTINIC CONTROL MD SPF 100 for babies, children and pregnant or nursing women.

Ingredients

How it works

The product leaves a protective film on the skin which contains UV filters that absorb, reflect and disperse solar radiation.

All Ingredients

Aqua, Alcohol Denat, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate-Dicaprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Distarch Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Silica, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Acrylates-C10-30-Alkyl-Acrylate-Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, 1-2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, EDTA

FAQ (4)

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of skin. They stimulate the production of free radicals in the skin which cause oxidative stress and can lead to indirect DNA damage where the free radicals modify cellular DNA over time. UVA rays are most commonly associated with photoaging (premature skin aging caused by the sun). They can also trigger sun allergies such as Polymorphous Light Eruption (PLE).

UVB rays provide the energy your skin needs to make Vitamin D and stimulate the production of melanin which is skin’s own protection process to reduce cell damage and is responsible for tanning. UVB rays don’t travel as deeply as UVA rays, penetrating only the outermost layers of skin, but they cause more immediate damage such as sunburn. UVB rays are directly absorbed by cellular DNA which can lead to skin diseases such as actinic keratosis and skin cancer.

Both types of UV can induce hyperpigmentation and may contribute to conditions such as sun spots (also known as age spots) and melasma.
Why is it important to apply and reapply sun protection thoroughly and regularly?
We tend to significantly under-apply protection to vital areas such as the face, neck, head, nose and scalp, which are key areas for over-exposure to harmful UVB and UVA rays. In fact, our study found that men leave 13% of the exposed body’s surface uncovered¹ when applying protection.

It is therefore important to apply sun protection evenly to the face and sun-exposed areas of the body. The specified protection factor is only achieved with an applied amount of 2 mg per cm2. Wait for the product to be absorbed first before applying other cosmetic products. Reapply every two hours during sun exposure.

Use finger-length amounts to determine the correct dosage. A finger length equates to roughly two grams of product. Apply as follows:
- Face: ½ finger length ca. 1g
- Neck: ½ finger length ca. 1g
- Scalp: 1 finger length ca. 2g
- Décolleté: ½ finger length ca. 1g
- Per forearm: 1 finger length ca. 2g
- Per back of hand: ½ finger length ca. 1g
  
  1 Internal Beiersdorf study of 2016 on the use of sun protection amongst a sample of 52 (29 women, 23 men)
How can I protect my body from the sun?
Adopting a sensible attitude to the sun is the best way to minimize the risk of sun damage to skin:
- Avoid overexposure to the sun and keep out of direct sunlight during its most intense hours, which is between midday and 3pm.
- Keep skin covered with protective clothing, including a sun hat and glasses, whenever possible.
- Apply sun protection thoroughly, and reapply regularly, to ensure you maintain the level of coverage needed to protect from UV-induced skin damage.
- Remember that sun damage isn’t just for sunbathers. Harmful rays can affect skin even on cloudy days, so any part of your body that is regularly exposed (your neck, face, nose, hands, arms and décolleté for example) should be given appropriate protection all year round.
How do I know if Actinic Control MD SPF 100 is right for my skin?

Use this product if…
- You’re looking for very high sun protection to prevent actinic keratosis or non-melanoma skin cancer.
- You’re looking for very high sun protection as adjunctive to your treatment for actinic keratosis.

Our brand values

Pioneers in skincare

We deliver a holistic dermo-cosmetic approach to protect your skin, keep it healthy and radiant.

Recommended by dermatologists

We work together with leading dermatologist and pharmacist partners around the world to create innovative and effective skincare products they can trust and recommend.

Committed to innovation

For over 100 years, we have dedicated ourselves to researching and innovating in the field of skin science. We believe in creating active ingredients and soothing formulas with high tolerability that work to help you live your life better each day.