The Origin of sunbathers

Back in the days cheerful sunbathers would smear their bodies in olive or coconut oil in order to achieve a richer, darker tan. “Total madness, frying oneself in the sun like that” you might have thought. Little did we know. Olive Oil contain a natural SPF of around 8 and the SPF in coconut oil is approximately 5. Looking back we have gone through different methods in order to save our faces from the sun. 70 000 BC the Homo Sapiens started migrating to Northern parts of the globe and gradually they lost their pigmentation providing them with sun protection. The ancient Egypts then put fair skin on the menu for the rich and privileged. Rice bran, jasmine and lupine were used to protect and maintain their kisser. It wasn’t until recently that rice bran was proven to absorb UV-light, jasmine turned out to have DNA-repairing properties and lupine naturally lightens the skin.

The old Greeks did as well turn to Olive Oil, not to get darker but for its natural SPF. From the year of 700, women in Japan covered their faces in lead or mercury based powders to achieve their white faces. Fair skin continues to stay of high importance among the upper class and during the 1600s women used face coverings made from velvet. They also turned to lead to make light look even lighter. In 1801 UV-radiation was discovered, in 1891 the first chemical sunscreen reached the market and in 1896 a connection between sun exposure and skin cancer was recognized. Who if not Coco Chanel popularized tanned skin in the 1920s. Photographs were taken of her, post mediterranean vacation days, wearing a golden tan. Sunbathing was now suddenly in fashion and associated with travel, leisure and a luxurious lifestyle. 

“Who if not Coco Chanel popularized tanned skin in the 1920s. Photographs were taken of her, post mediterranean vacation days, wearing a golden tan.”

From here onwards we will be introduced to a number of different lotions and potions to protect our visage. Coppertone suntan lotion and Piz Buin’s Glacier cream hit the shelves and in 1978 FDA started to regulate the booming market of sunscreens. By the same time sunbeds began to appear in the US. Along with the growing knowledge of UVA and UVB radiation, our awareness on the long term effects sunscreen has on our health and environment grows. Meanwhile, we will swing and twirl our UV-protected swimdress and absorb the vital vitamin Ds.

You are back at the beach. Your husband wants to go for a boat trip last minute. You lovingly pat his cheek and say: “Now that I'm in my swimdress, it is possible.”The swimdress - for pure vacation ease.