IN THIS ARTICLE
Summer is at its peak and with a rise in temperature, the one skincare product that gets all the attention is sunscreen. But contrary to popular belief, sunscreen or SPF is not just a summer-specific product. In fact, it is the most important step in a skincare routine all year round. That’s why it’s so important to find a sunscreen that you will enjoy wearing, come rain or snow! Let us help you with that...
But first, why is sunscreen so important?
- Sunscreen plays an important role in blocking harmful UV rays from being absorbed by the skin
- Sunscreen helps prevent premature skin ageing, tanning and keeps you safe from sunburns
- Sunscreen isn’t just for days outside. UV rays can penetrate your windows, plus blue light from your screens may cause skin damage, so make sure to wear SPF indoors as well
What is SPF?
The SPF on sunscreen stands for Sun Protection Factor which is a relative measurement of how well a sunscreen will protect your skin from ultra-violet rays. The number beside it does not indicate the amount of time you can stay in the sun, instead, it indicates how long the sunscreen will protect you from UV rays.
What’s the difference between SPF and PA levels:
SPF: It measures how well your skin is protected from UVB rays. High-SPF sunscreens alone do not provide 100% sun protection.
Protection offered by different SPFs:
- SPF 15 blocks about 93% of all UVB rays
- SPF 30 filters out 97% of all UVB rays
- SPF 50 filters out 98% of all UVB rays
PA: It measures how well your skin is protected from UVA rays. The greater the number of ‘+’s after PA, the more protection you get from UVA exposure.
This is what each PA Rating means:
- PA+ = Some UVA protection
- PA++ = Moderate UVA protection
- PA+++ = High UVA protection
- PA++++ = Extremely High UVA protection
How to find the right sunscreen:
Picking a sunscreen based on your skin type is your best bet to finding ‘The One’ you will wear every morning without hesitation.
Dry Skin
Our recommendation: Grape Seed & Sea Buckthorn Light Stay Day Cream SPF 30 PA +++
With hydrating, nourishing and sun protecting properties, this sunscreen is a boon for dry skin. The long-lasting SPF 30 protection with healing sea buckthorn oil and nourishing grape seed oil is the perfect blend of natural protection, light texture, and pleasant skin feel!
Oily Skin
Our recommendation: Green Tea Day-Light Sunscreen Gel SPF 35 PA+++
With a super-light texture that is enriched with the goodness of Aloe juice and Calendula extracts, this sunscreen also helps calm irritated skin. It has an ultra-light texture and non-comedogenic formula that is best suited for combination, oily and acne-prone skin.
Normal to Combination Skin
Our recommendation: Chamomile & White Tea Sheer Matte Day Cream SPF 50 PA+++
A clever concoction of Chamomile extracts, White tea extracts and Ginkgo Biloba extracts, this is a soothing sheer matte day cream with a broad-spectrum formula that protects your skin from UVA & UVB rays. The specially blended cocktail of antioxidants also helps your skin fight the harmful effects of UV from within. It is suitable for normal, combination, to slightly dry skin.
Mature Skin
Our recommendation: Bright Years All Day Defense Cream SPF 45 PA+++
Sun protection becomes even more important as the years go by. Our Bright Years All Day Defense Cream SPF 45 PA+++ is enriched with the goodness of plant-stem cells, encapsulated sunscreens, and licorice extracts that come together to help you deal with concerns like UV-induced damage, dryness and uneven skin tone.
Must-dos with sunscreen
- Apply sunscreen at least 15-30 minutes before stepping out of the house
- You should always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, even on cool or slightly cloudy days
- Sunscreen should be reapplied every two to three hours, especially after swimming or sweating
Other ways to protect your skin from the sun:
- Try to limit your direct exposure to sun by seeking shade in some form
- Keep away from direct sunlight when the UV index is highest (12 pm to 4 pm)
- Cover up your face and hair with protective clothing like a scarf or a wide-brimmed hat
- Carry an umbrella to stay well protected if you need to walk out in the sun
FAQs
Q1. Is a sunscreen with SPF 30 enough for daily use?
For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with SPF of at least 30. If you spend most of your time outdoors, it is advised to use sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher.
Q2. What is the correct way to apply sunscreen?
To make sure you are applying the right amount of sunscreen, use the three-finger rule wherein you squeeze out sunscreen along the lengths of three fingers (starting with your index finger). You then dot the sunscreen all over your face and neck, and blend it in.
Reapply every two hours.
Q3. How should I layer sunscreen?
You can layer your sunscreen in the following manner: (1) Cleanser (2) Toner (3) Serum (4) Moisturizer (5) Sunscreen.
