How to find the right sunscreen based on your skin type

Sunscreen isn’t just for summer—it's your skin’s best defense all year long. Whether the sun is scorching outside or just playing peekaboo through the clouds, sunscreen remains the ultimate armor against premature aging, sunburns, and sun damage. 

But depending on your skin type and sunscreen formulations, sunscreen, when not chosen carefully, can also cause greasy skin, dullness, or even acne breakouts. Therefore, finding the perfect sunscreen for your skin type is crucial.  

In this blog, let’s learn how to choose the right sunscreen for your skin type. 

Why is sunscreen a skincare essential?

Protection against sun damage:  Sunscreen forms a protective barrier on your skin to block or absorb harmful UV rays. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVB and UVA rays preventing sunburn, and premature aging.

Anti-aging benefits: Applying sunscreen daily prevents immediate sun damage while reducing the risk of wrinkles, pigmentation, and even skin cancer. 

Which is the best sunscreen for your skin type?

Sunscreen differs based on its texture, consistency, and ingredients. To pick the right sunscreen for your skin, it's crucial to identify your skin type to ensure its suitability.    

Here’s a quick guide:  

•  Oily Skin: Prone to excess shine, oil, and breakouts.  
•  Dry Skin: Feels dehydrated, tight and flaky.  
•  Sensitive Skin: Easily irritated with redness or itchiness.  
•  Combination Skin: Oily T-zone but dry cheeks.  
•  Normal Skin: Balanced.

 How to Choose Sunscreen for your skin  

1.Sunscreen for oily skin  

If you have oily skin, you might face excess oil, shine, and acne. The best sunscreen for oily skin is the one that is oil-free, comedogenic, and preferably matte. It should balance oil production without clogging pores.  

Best Ingredients:  

While choosing sunscreens for oily skin, look for ingredients like niacinamide, zinc, green tea, and cica. Lightweight, oil-free, gel-based sunscreens are best for you. 

Green Tea & Zinc Super-Matte Sunscreen Gel | SPF 50 PA ++++| SPF for Oily Skin

Green Tea Day-Light Sunscreen Gel SPF 35 PA+++

2. Sunscreen for dry skin  

If you have dry skin, you will feel dehydration, flakiness, and tightness in your skin.  

The best sunscreens for dry skin are hydrating sunscreens that lock in moisture while protecting from UV rays.  

Best Ingredients:  

While choosing dry skin sunscreen, look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate dry skin.  

Creamy, hydrating creams or lotions with a rich texture are best for your skin type.   

Squalane & Vitamin E SPF 50 PA+++ Dewy-Bright Sunscreen

3. Sunscreen for sensitive skin  

If you have sensitive skin, your skin tends to get red, irritated, and allergic easily. You need gentle, mild sunscreen that has safe ingredients and fragrance.   

Best Ingredients:  

Choose sunscreens for sensitive skin, and infused with hydrating ingredients like squalane, green tea, hyaluronic acid, aloe, titanium, or zinc oxide. Typically a mineral sunscreen would work best for you.   

Oat & Ceramide complex 100% mineral sunscreen

4. Sunscreen for combination skin 

For combination skin types, finding products that hydrate while balancing oil could be the key challenge. 

You need to look for sunscreens for combination skin that balances your oil while nourishing the dry areas without clogging pores.  

Best Ingredients:  

Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, green tea, zinc, etc in hybrid or lightweight cream and lotion formats. 

Bright Years All Day Defence Cream SPF 45 PA+++ Sunscreen

Cica & Hyaluronic Acid SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen

Niacinamide & Rice Water SPF 50 PA+++ Hybrid Sunscreen

5. Sunscreen for normal skin  

The best of all skin types, you need adequate cleansing and hydration to maintain your skin with well-balanced skin protection.  

The best sunscreen for normal skin type is the one that has a simple formulation with sun protection and hydrating ingredients.   

Best Ingredients:  

You can look for ingredients like Vitamin C and E in any texture or consistency. 

Bright Years All Day Defence Cream SPF 45 PA+++ Sunscreen

Cica & Hyaluronic Acid SPF 50 PA+++ Sunscreen

Niacinamide & Rice Water SPF 50 PA+++ Hybrid Sunscreen

What factors should you consider while choosing your sunscreen? 

To find the right sunscreen for your skin, consider the following factors:   

• SPF: An ideal sunscreen should have an SPF of 30 or higher for everyday use. SPF 50 is ideal for prolonged outdoor exposure.  
• Broad-spectrum protection: Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that shields your skin against both UVA and UVB rays.  
• Texture: Ensure that you check the product’s texture while choosing a sunscreen. For example, gel-based for oily skin, cream-based for dry skin, and lightweight lotions for combination/normal skin would be best.  
• Ingredients: Do check the labels to buy sunscreens that have the right skin-loving ingredients suited for your skin type. 

How to apply sunscreen like a pro?

• Nourish your skin with a hydrating moisturizer. Apply 2 fingers worth of sunscreen and gently massage it on your face and neck skin 15–30 minutes before stepping outside.  
• Reapply every 2-3 hours, especially after swimming or sweating.  

While looking for the right sunscreen for your skin, it's important first to understand your skin type. Once that is done, carefully check the texture, ingredients, and type of sunscreen to ensure it is suitable for your skin. Whether you’re battling oily skin, soothing sensitivity, or simply looking for all-around hydration, there’s a sunscreen out there tailored just for you.

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