Introducing ASPA-Fernblock®: The next generation of sunscreen innovation

Published on 12 September 2025
Caitlein Hannigan
Head of Marketing
Ferndale Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Learn more about the author

Whether it's a bright summer afternoon or a crisp winter morning, our exposure to the sun's harmful rays remains a concern all year round. Many skin-savvy individuals understand the importance of daily sun protection - and maintaining that habit consistently is key to supporting healthy, resilient skin in every season.

While UVB radiation is strongest during the summer months and can significantly increase the risk of sunburn, skin cell DNA damage, and long-term health concerns like skin cancer1, it's only part of the daylight damage story. UVA rays, visible light, and infrared-A (IR-A) are present all year round - even on cloudy days and through windows and they penetrate deeper into the skin, accelerating oxidative stress that can lead to hyperpigmentation, skin cell DNA damage, collagen breakdown and premature ageing2,3. Emerging research now shows that oxidative stress can impair the function of vitamin D receptors, compromising the skin’s ability to utilise vitamin D effectively, a nutrient essential for the skin’s natural repair of DNA damage and its immune defence4.

To address this emerging concern, Cantabria Labs has pioneered a new technological advancement designed to support the skin’s natural vitamin D function under oxidative stress. Read on to discover how this next-generation solution works.

Daily, very high-level sun protection - essential for skin health

Protecting your skin effectively requires more than just a high SPF. Here's what your daily facial sunscreen should offer:

  • Broad-spectrum protection: SPF 50 to shield from UVB, and high UVA protection (look for PA++++) to prevent photoaging and cellular stress5.
  • Antioxidant ingredients: To help neutralise free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated not only by visible light and IR-A, which lie beyond the reach of traditional sunscreens, but also by UVB and particularly UVA radiation, even when high-level sun protection is in place.
  • Targeted formulations: To meet the unique needs of different skin types, concerns, and lifestyles - from boosting hydration and strengthening the skin barrier to improving tone and addressing signs of ageing, pigmentation, acne & redness.
  • Supplemental support: Oral antioxidants like Fernblock® have been shown to reinforce skin’s defences from within, helping repair and protect on a cellular level6.

Together this forms a robust, 360 approach to protecting your skin now, and into the future.

Nothing protects skin like HELIOCARE 360°

HELIOCARE 360° goes beyond sunscreen, combining high-level protection with powerful, multi-layered skin defence for those with specific skin concerns. Backed by over two decades of research, the range delivers:

  • Very high, full-spectrum protection: SPF 50+ UVB, PA++++ UVA, and dermatologically proven protection against visible light, and IR-A.
  • Fernblock®+ antioxidant technology: A patented, clinically proven extract of Polypodium leucotomos, exclusive to Cantabria Labs and central to all HELIOCARE formulations. Fernblock®+ is supported by over 50 scientific publications and is recognised as a gold-standard antioxidant technology for comprehensive photoprotection. It helps defend skin cells against DNA damage, prevents collagen breakdown, protects the immune system, and neutralises free radicals generated by UV, visible light, and infrared-A exposure7,8,9,10.
  • Personalised protection to suit everybody: Each formula is designed to support your skin type and goals - including normal, dry, oily and acne-prone, sensitive, hyperpigmented, and ageing skin.

And now, this gold-standard protection is going one step further.

NEW ASPA-Fernblock®: Enhanced protection, optimised for skin health

ASPA-Fernblock® is the latest evolution in skin photoprotection - a next-generation, bioactive complex designed to make sure your skin gets only the very best from the sun.

This patented innovation combines two powerful plant-based technologies:

  • Fernblock®+, our powerhouse antioxidant complex. A patented extract of the Polypodium leucotomos fern clinically and scientifically proven to provide skin protection and support skin health.
  • ASPA, a patented combination of extracts from the Aspalathus linearis plant. Native to South Africa, and more commonly known as Rooibos, it is rich in flavonoids with proven biological activity and exclusive to Cantabria Labs products.

Together, they create ASPA-Fernblock®, an additive complex that enhances the photoprotective power of your Heliocare product in two keyways:

  1. Boosting the efficacy of UV filters, delivering more comprehensive protection against the full spectrum of solar radiation - including UVA, UVB, visible light, and infrared-A11.
  2. Delivering the OptiD Effect - helping preserve the skin’s ability to use vitamin D by protecting its receptors4.

What is the ASPA-Fernblock OptiD Effect?

Vitamin D is essential for healthy skin. It plays a key role in:

  • Cell turnover and renewal
  • Strengthening the skin barrier
  • Collagen production and wound healing
  • Supporting the immune system

Although sun exposure helps trigger vitamin D production in the skin, excessive UV and oxidative stress can damage Vitamin D Receptors (VDRs), making it harder for the skin to process and benefit from this vital nutrient4.

ASPA-Fernblock® helps solve this challenge. Through its OptiD Effect, it:

  • Protects VDRs from oxidative stress, maintaining their integrity during sun exposure11.
  • Supports optimal vitamin D function, even when the skin is under environmental stress11.

Where to find ASPA-Fernblock®

This patented breakthrough is available in selected products across the HELIOCARE 360° range, including:

Even more products containing ASPA-Fernblock® will roll out throughout 2025 into 2026. All formulas still feature Fernblock®+ technology, but products with ASPA-Fernblock® offer enhanced, bioactive protection for those wanting the next level in skin health.

Ready to enhance your sun protection?

Discover the new wave of dermatologically advanced sun care. Protect your skin from damage while optimising its health, renewal, and resilience with the power of ASPA-Fernblock®.

Explore the ASPA-Fernblock® Collection Now

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References

1 Barnes JL, Zubair M, John K, Poirier MC, Martin FL. Carcinogens and DNA damage. Biochem Soc Trans. 2018 Oct 19;46(5):1213-1224. doi: 10.1042/BST20180519. Epub 2018 Oct 3. PMID: 30287511; PMCID: PMC6195640. ​

2 Impact of long-wavelength UVA and visible light on melanocompetent skin. Bassel H Mahmoud, Eduardo Ruvolo, Camile L Hexsel, Yang Liu, Michael R Owen, Nikiforos Kollias, Henry W Lim, Iltefat H Hamzavi.​

3 ​“Is Infrared Good or Bad for Your Skin?” DERM.net, January 2019, https://derm.net/2019/01/is-infrared-good-or-bad-for-your-skin/.

4 Mascaraque, M., Carrasco, E., López Sánchez, A., Cáceres Estévez, I., Vitale, M., Haya Rodriguez, L., Nieto Botella, L., Gallego-Rentero, M., González, S., & Juarranza, Á. (2025). Expression of vitamin D receptors inskin exposed to oxidative stress and protective effect of Aspa-Fernblock®. Poster presented at CILAD 2025.​

5 ​Krutmann J, Schikoski T, Morita A, Berneburg M. Daily photoprotection to prevent photoageing. J Invest Dermatol. 2021;141(4):1096–1103.

6 ​International Delphi Consensus on Personalised Medical Photoprotection, 2024

7 González S, et al. PhotodermatolPhotoimmunol Photomed,1996,12(2):45-56 996 Apr;12(2):45-56.

8 ​González S, et.al. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018. Aug1;19(8):2250

9 ​Amini S, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Mar;62(3):511-3.

10 ​Maritza A, et al. J. Am Acad Derm, 2004. 51(6):910-8

11 ​López Sánchez, A., Cáceres Estévez, I., Haya Rodriguez, L., Vitale, M., Nieto Botella, L., Sepúlveda, P., de Gálvez, M. V., Aguilera, J., & González, S. (2025). A new photoprotection technology. Poster presented at CILAD 2025. Cantabria Labs.