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Are Sunscreens Good for Skin? Read This Before You Add Them to Your Summer Regime

Step out stress-free this summer with sunscreen protecting your skin. Shine and radiate with joy as you learn about sunscreens, and which one is good for your skin.

Summer safety? Sunscreen!

You must be wondering – Is sunscreen good for skin? Yes, it is one of the best and easiest ways to protect your sun, especially during the summer season. Most of us swear by it to avoid burns and tanning, but for those of you who still have your doubts, allow us to unveil the many sunscreen benefits for skin! We address your concerns and help you choose the best sunscreen, or even a natural alternative.

What is sunscreen?

Envision your arms and feel a protective layer of lotion, spray, gel, or cream that absorbs or reflects the UV rays of the sun, while protecting your skin. So, what is sunscreen? A product with a safe formulation for your skin care and beauty regimen to glow with radiance, keeping out the radiation. The two types of radiation – UVA and UVB – can damage your skin with sunburn and tanning, increase your risk of skin cancer and cause premature ageing. Good sunscreen for the face is one with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, which gives you 93% protection. For day-to-day use, a sunscreen with SPF 30 is ideal, giving you 97% protection!

Are sunscreens good for skin? Do they have any side effects or harmful ingredients you should avoid?

While the sunscreen benefits are boundless in protecting your skin, are all sunscreen good for skin? According to a guide by Made Safe®, there are some ingredients of concern in your sunscreen for summer. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and nanoparticles are ones that should be kept out. These can harm your endocrine system, cause allergies, toxify your reproductive system and organs in general, and cause hormone disruption. On a wider scale, these harmful chemicals also absorb pesticides (like bug sprays used at home) and cause coral reef degradation. On the other hand, ingredients that are safe for you are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – which are naturally occurring minerals and UV absorbers, which are environmentally safe as well.

How to pick the best sunscreen for your skin?

There is a lot to consider while shopping for a good sunscreen for the face. This also depends largely on your skin type. We’ve rounded up essential tips for you to choose the right sunscreen for your skin this summer.

  1. Skin type, sunscreen type: If you have oily skin, it’s best to go for a sunscreen gel or spray to prevent it from looking and feeling oilier. Dry skin will benefit from sunscreen lotion or cream to moisturise it, while protecting it from the sun’s radiation.
  2. Choosing your sunscreen: The two types of ultraviolet radiation are UVA and UVB, both of which are harmful for your skin and body. Photo ageing, pigmentation, and skin cancer are some of the effects. Choose a sunscreen that protects you from both.
  3. Toxic ingredients: Endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, allergies, and hormonal disruption are some of the harmful effects of certain toxic chemicals, like oxybenzone – for example. Keep an eye out for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – these are the safe, skin-friendly ingredients.
  4. SPF or sun protection factor: Ideally, for daily use, opt for a sunscreen with SPF 30. If you are someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, choose a sunscreen with SPF 60, which is your sun safety solution.

If you wish to do away with the chemicals altogether, here are some alternatives that can be the best natural sunscreen ever!

Good natural alternatives to sunscreens and their efficacy

Choosing nature’s goodness in a skin care or beauty product is choosing what’s good for you and the planet. What is sunscreen that’s natural? Ayurvedic herbs are the ingredients which can act as a good sunscreen for the face. Have a look at our picks of the best natural sunscreen below.

Coconut oil

This Ayurvedic ‘elixir’ has a natural SPF of 4-5 and antioxidants, which help protect your skin from the harmful radiation of the sun. It saves you from 20% of the UV rays your body is exposed to, and this works for you if you stay in sunlight for a short period of time. If it is for a longer time period, you can re-apply for effective results. 

Aloe vera

For years and years, we have heard of aloe vera gel as the best remedy for skin inflammation and redness. Did you know, the cooling and healing properties of this herb extend to sunburns as well? As a sunblock, it can block 20% of the harmful radiation your skin is exposed to. It is a pure, natural sunscreen good for skin!

Sesame oil

Protect your skin from 30% of the harmful UV rays of the sun. Believed to be one of the best natural sunscreens, sesame oil could be the best thing for your skin. It is power packed with antioxidants which fight the free radicals in your skin – protecting you from wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation.

As you now see, prevention and protection form the core of sunscreen benefits. We care for you, for your skin, and hope this guide helps you choose your best sunscreen for summer

Frequently Asked Questions on Suncreens (FAQs)

  1. What goes on first, moisturiser or sunscreen?

    Sunscreen benefits for skin are wide and many, but it is always applied as the final step in your skin care routine, as a good rule of thumb. It is the protective layer and works best when it is the topmost layer on your skin.
    Moisturiser and other skin care products are applied before the sunscreen

  2. How can I protect my skin from the sun without sunscreen?

    There are alternative ways you can protect your skin from the sun, without a sunscreen good for skin protection. Wearing darker colours in clothing is a good option, as they absorb the rays before they can reach the skin. Sunglasses can block almost 70% of the UV rays. Pair this with a moisturiser including SPF and you’re good to go!

  3. Is it safe to use sunscreen every day?

    Yes, wearing sunscreen every day is not only safe but also advisable. The sunscreen benefits for skin make this habit easier to adopt. The skin can accumulate a number of damaging particles over time and is open to the risk of cancerous skin lesions later in life. What is sunscreen? Your skin’s favourite buddy!

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