Beyond Suncare aims to ensure that all people with albinism live a free and dignified life, while being protected against skin cancer and all forms of discrimination

BASF’s Care Creations and the non-governmental organization (NGO) Beyond Suncare have renewed their cooperation, which aims to protect people with albinism in Africa through customized sun care products. Over the next three years, BASF will continue to support Beyond Suncare by supplying the required raw materials free of charge and by providing technical expertise to further improve the formulation. The raw materials include UV filters and other products from the broad BASF portfolio. Due to high demand and expansion of the project, raw material supply requirements have grown significantly. The aim is to protect as many affected people as possible from the intense sun in Africa.

Customized sun care products for maximum protection

Beyond Suncare operates in countries such as Malawi, Angola and Rwanda, working to educate and raise awareness among persons with albinism living in remote and often neglected locations, and distributing tailor-made sunscreen to them. In addition to this, the NGO trains and empowers healthcare personnel so they can learn more about this genetic condition and provide better care to people with albinism at their clinics. Over the past years, BASF has supported the development of highly effective sunscreen formulations that are even better adapted to the needs and sensory preferences of people with albinism living under extreme solar irradiation in sub-Saharan Africa. Special properties such as water and sweat resistance, photo stability and suitability for sensitive or damaged skin need to be considered, as do manufacturing conditions and packaging.

“This project is very close to my heart and I am proud that we can support Mafalda Soto and her team from Beyond Suncare. Sunscreens and UV filters contribute significantly to personal health by helping protect the skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation. These include erythema, premature skin aging, age spots and – with frequent, intense exposure – increased risk of skin cancer. We need to make sure that the most vulnerable people, in particular, are safe in the sun,” said Stéphanie Acker, Technical Manager Sun Care at BASF.

BASF and Beyond Suncare initiated their cooperation back in 2014, when BASF started supplying the NGO with raw materials and technical expertise. Mafalda Soto, co-founder of Beyond Suncare, explains: “We want our work to be sustainable and to have a lasting effect. Right now, we are expanding our work to other African countries, and we are in the planning stages of establishing a local manufacturing plant in Malawi. To do all this and make an impact, we need the continuous support of strong partners and allies. So, we are extremely pleased to be renewing our collaboration with BASF.”

In future, the partners will continue working together to improve the existing formulation. There are also plans to develop new formulations that include oils from local African producers.

Beyond Suncare was selected as a best practice organization by the United Nations in 2017, because the NGO aims to ensure that all people with albinism can live a free and dignified life, while being protected against skin cancer and any forms of discrimination.