How to choose sunscreen wisely (genius WAYS)
I only recommend products I love and I think you will, too. If you click on links I provide, I may receive a little compensation. Learn more.
How many times in this lifetime have you heard people shouting at you to ALWAYS WEAR A SUNSCREEN? A million would be less! They will tell you to use it while going to the beach, for shopping, for a date with friends, or even on your terrace. I 100% agree with all of that, but the terrace is a little too much, right?
Now sunscreen had to be a good thing, but have you ever witnessed a white residue after you apply it on your face? Or do you get acne after? Or you cannot wait for 20 minutes after applying it?
I have answers to ALL your questions. Who am I? A fairy godmother or what!
If you want to choose the best sunscreen for your face, here’s everything you want to consider while purchasing one. Keep on reading!
How to choose the best sunscreen?
1. Date of expiration
In the process of becoming a beauty freak comes this inherited habit of checking the date of expiration of every product you put your hands on.
Obviously, if you use a product past its expiration date, it can cause severe harm to your skin. Because ingredients in not just sunscreen but any product start to degrade with time. Also, sunscreen will lose its good ingredients once it expires. That means one expired sunscreen is gonna harm your skin as well as will give you 0 sun protection whatsoever. What’s even the point of using it, then?
On average, sunscreen can last you for up to 3 long years. But you must still check if the money you are investing is totally gonna benefit you or not.
2. SPF rating
You must have seen SPF 30 or SPF 50 ratings over sunscreen bottles but you have no effin’ clue what that really means? Common problem. Don’t worry. Has a common solution as well.
Listen.
SPF is the sun protection factor. Now, what the sun protection factor means is the time we can stay out in the sun before burning. Yes. If I’m putting SPF 30, that means I can stay out in the sun 30 times longer before burning. Or, in case I’m putting SPF 100 over my skin, I can be out in the sun for 100 times longer.
But no-no-no. Fun fact: The difference between SPF 30 and SPF 100 is NOT 70% but just 1-2%. Yassss! This means SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of the sun’s UVB rays.
Clearly, a higher SPF rating does not protect you much or allow you to stay out in the sun much. That means YOU NEED TO REAPPLY WHATSOEVER!
Ideally, sunscreen should be reapplied after every two hours, but you still must check if something regarding this is written on the bottle. In fact, my sunscreen allows me to stay in the sun for 6 hours. And that’s a lot!
Concluding, if you want to choose a sunscreen that has SPF 30 or higher and has PA ++++ ( three to four plus signs), then you are good to go.
Broad-spectrum
I bet most of you might have heard of this word for the very first time.
Simply put, there are two types of sun rays that reach our beautiful earth – UVA and UVB rays. You all know it. I know.
A good SPF rating can help you keep UVB rays at bay, but UVA can still enter your skin’s dermal layer and damage your skin.
That’s because UVA rays are the longer wavelength of sunlight and make upto 95% of the total UV rays reaching the earth. That’s a lot! And the worst part is they are long enough to reach the skin’s dermal layer and can damage the skin’s elastic tissue and collagen.
How are UVA rays harmful to us, then?
Where UVB causes skin burns, UVA rays are the reason behind premature aging, wrinkles, and dark spots.
Therefore, to make sure you are protected against both UVA and UVB sun rays, choose a sunscreen that has a broader spectrum stated on the bottle.
Physical vs. Chemical sunscreen
Just in case you didn’t know, yes there are two types of sunscreens available in the market.
Physical sunscreen means as soon as you apply it, you can go out in the sun. You don’t have to wait for 15-20 minutes in the house. You put it, and you are out.
Chemical sunscreen is that you actually have to wait for 20 minutes or so for the chemicals in the sunscreen to get activated and start protecting you.
But, nowadays there is this third kind as well which is the mixture of both physical and chemical sunscreen. This apparently means that you can move out after you apply it but it works as a chemical.
| BASIS | PHYSICAL | CHEMICAL |
| How does it work? | -titanium dioxide -zinc oxide | -Avobenzone -octinoxate -oxybenzone |
| Best for sensitive skin, it also helps soothe, decreases irritation | Forms a barrier to block UV rays from your kin | Absorbs UV rays, converts the rays into heat |
| Is it safe? | -white cast -heavy on the skin -Non-resistant to water | Some chemicals can irritate your skin |
| Love it because? | -Protects against both UVA and UVB rays -Works immediately after application | -No white cast -Pleasant texture -Water-resistant formula -Quickly absorbs |
| Hate it because? | -white cast -heavy on skin -Non-resistant to water | -Apply 20 minutes before exposing to the sun -Can be irritated -Unstable formula |
Water-Resistant
Many of you might have complained that when you put on your sunscreen and go out, your sunscreen starts to come off your face.
That’s because sweat is water. I know you know it, haha. But what you don’t know is sunscreens are not waterproof. Which means it has to be off when water comes in contact with it.
Now, No sunscreen is 100% waterproof. If they are saying it is, they are click-baiting you illegally. But it sure can be water-resistant. If it is, ask them for how many minutes. It should either be for 40 or 80 minutes. This means that your sunscreen is capable of resisting water for that time period but NOT LONGER THAN THAT.
So what’s the solution? Reapply, Reapply, Reapply!!
EWG verified
Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization that works for the protection of human health and the environment. Every product is verified by EWG score in the low hazardous range. Means better protection!
Price per Ml
This point is not related to sunscreens but to consumers like you. What this means is that before buying sunscreen, you must check how much quantity a brand is giving you in each ml. Thus because most of the time, it may look as if you are getting a larger quantity at less price, but the reality may be the opposite. So, consumers, make the correct choice!
Tips on how to choose sunscreen for skin type
Sunscreen for oily skin types
Oily skin people must choose sunscreens that have green tea, tea tree, and silicones which will not make you look greasy. Also, look for sunscreens claiming to be non-comedogenic. Which means they won’t clog your pores and cause any kind of acne.
Look for an oil-free, non-greasy and lightweight formula to help breathe your skin in sunlight. You can also choose sunscreen with a matte finish to make your face look less shiny in the sun. And this is how you choose sunscreens for oily skin type
My best recommendations are:
Sunscreen for dry skin
People who have dry skin should go for a moisturizing sunscreen cream or lotion. Choose one that adds hydration and moisturization to your skin so that your skin not only gets protected from harmful UV rays but shall also feel soft and supple.
Look for sunscreens that claim to have shea butter, rosehip oil, and certain niacinamides if you want to brighten up your skin additionally.
My best recommendations are:
Sunscreen for sensitive skin
My beauties with sensitive skin should choose a sunscreen that contains ingredients that are milder on the skin, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Avoid using sunscreens with paraben or oxybenzone, as they can cause skin irritation.
In short, chemical sunscreens are not for sensitive skin types. Also, I would suggest you choose a sunscreen that is hypoallergic and fragrance-free.
My best recommendations are:
Moreover, PLEASE DO A PATCH TEST every time you buy a new sunscreen below your ears to check if that suits you.
Remember that if you don’t find a sunscreen that works for you, you can always make your own homemade sunscreen anytime!
7 Ingredients to avoid in sunscreens
- Oxybenzone
- Homosalate
- Octisalate
- Parabens (butyl, ethyl, methyl, propyl)
- Octinoxate
- Octocrylene
- Retinyl Palmitate (vitamin A)
Tips on preventing tanning and pigmentation
- Cover up ( you might want to use a scarf, umbrella, wear long sleeves tops or sneakers )
- Sunscreen ( obviously!!)
- Wear makeup that has SPF in it, or just buy yourselves a makeup setting spray with SPF (to reapply sunscreen over makeup)
- Take 1/2 tbs amount of sunscreen if you want to fully protect yourself from the harsh sun
Know the facts
- Reapplying at least every 2 hours is crucial to stay protected.
- There is no “waterproof” sunscreen
- A base tan will not protect your skin from the sun
- Sun exposure happens on cloudy as well as rainy days
- Nanoparticles are not known to be harmful so don’t be misled by “no-nano” claims
And that’s a wrap for how to choose sunscreen wisely! Now remember, you may not be able to choose a sunscreen that has all of these super important factors but then, choose a sunscreen that has most of them, okay? Yes.
If you liked whatever I said today, consider sharing it with your friends and family to motivate me to write more.
Till then, keep safe, protected, and shining!
