HOW TO CHOOSE A SUNSCREEN

17 Aug - 23 Aug, 2019
Mag The Weekly
health & nutrition

Time and again we have been told how important it is to wear a sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB. But it is crucial to know what kind of sunscreen to get and is it right for your skin type and if it meets the broad spectrum of requirements. Here’s a summary of things to consider before you pick out a sunscreen for yourself.

SPF

The sun protection factor or SPF is of utmost importance while choosing the perfect sunscreen. A basic SPF of 15 is required for fairly good protection from the sun. An SPF of 20 can be used for dark skin, and 30 can be used for fair or wheatish skin. However, it is always better to get an SPF of 30 and above to be on the safer side.

Ingredients

it is important for the sunscreen to contain at least one of the UVA filters, i.e. ecamsule, oxybenzone, bematrinizoll, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone; some of them may not react very well with your skin so check before you bag it.

Skin type

Oil-based sunscreens are more suitable for dry skin as they hydrate your skin. If your skin is oily or if you are prone to acne, it is better to use a water-based or gel-based sunscreen, as creams are oil-based and can aggravate breakouts.

Check manufacture and expiry dates

The date of manufacture and expiry should always be kept in mind while purchasing a sunscreen. Using any product beyond its expiry date can be harmful for your skin, as its ingredients degrade over time.

Effectiveness does not depend on the price

A higher price is not an indicator of effectiveness. Of course, a good, trusted brand is always recommended. However, you do not have to shell out an exorbitantly huge amount of money for a good sunscreen. As long as it covers the essential requirements of sun protection, you’re all set.