As the sun continues to turn its back on a much-needed chill pill, one skincare product that continues to claim all the spotlight (and quite rightly so), is ‘Sunscreen’. You ask us, why? Well, we’re here to tell you why this particular product is all important for your skin’s well-being.

What we mean when we say “SPF Is Your BFF”?

Sunscreen is possibly the most important skincare product that one MUST use on a daily basis, whether you’re at home or going out. And while it is a fact known by most, there are many who still forget to apply sunscreen before stepping out or even when at home.

While it might feel nice to soak up some sun, in the longer run, you are doing more harm to your skin than good. Various studies have shown that continued exposure to sun will lead to a host of skin problems such as tanning, inflammation, sun burns, dry patches and more. And in more serious cases, it can even lead to skin cancer too.

You can, however, protect yourself from all of that (to a great extent), with just one product. We’re talking about good, ol’ sunscreen. When we say “SPF is your BFF”, we mean it. Sunscreen forms a protective layer on your skin’s surface, to reflect the damaging UVA & UVB rays of the sun. This protects your skin from the adverse effects of sun damage.

SPF & PA Levels Decoded

SPF

The term sunscreen & SPF goes hand in hand with sunscreen. Most of us have come across sunscreen with SPF 30, 40, 50 & so on. And while sunscreen is incomplete without any SPF, do you know what it stands for? SPF a.k.a. Sun Protection Factor, is the relative measure that marks how well your sunscreen will protect you from the damaging UVB rays of the sun. The number denotes the strength of your sunscreen against effects of the UVB rays. Does that mean the higher the SPF, the better protected you are?

Take a look what the numbers mean:

• SPF 15 blocks about 93% of the UVB rays
• SPF 30 blocks about 97% of the UVB rays
• SPF 50 blocks about 98% of the UVB rays

Experts recommend that choosing a sunscreen with SPF ranging between 30 to 50 is ideally sufficient for you. However, if you’re spending longer hours in the sun, you can always go for a higher SPF.

PA Levels

Looking at your sunscreen’s label, there is another term that will catch your eye. It is the acronym PA accompanied by a few ‘+’ signs. PA stands for “Protection Grade of UVA”. In other words, it indicates how well your sunscreen protects you from the UVA rays of the sun.

The number of ‘+’ signs beside the PA on your sunscreen denotes how well it works in protecting your skin against UVA rays. Take a look at what the number of ‘+’ signs next to PA mean for you.

A sunscreen with PA+ provides moderate protection from UVA rays

• A sunscreen with PA++ provides sufficient protection from UVA rays
• A sunscreen with PA+++ provides high protection from UVA rays
• A sunscreen with PA++++ provides extremely high protection from UVA rays

When looking for a sunscreen for yourself, make sure you pick one that provides you protection from both UVA & UVB rays of the sun, or in other words, a broad spectrum sunscreen.

Combating UVA & UVB: Is Broad Spectrum Sunscreen The Answer?

The UVA & UVB rays of the sun are the culprits behind sunburns & premature aging. While the UVA rays are mainly responsible for causing fine lines & wrinkles, the UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburns, tanning & even skin cancers. So what should you protect yourself from? The answer is, both!

You might be wondering if there’s a single product that can help combat both UVA & UVB rays? The answer is, ABSOLUTELY! A broad spectrum sunscreen is one that gives  you protection from both UVA and UVB rays of the sun. In other words, a sunscreen with high SPF & PA levels, is your BFF that will provide you with all round protection from the sun’s rays.

How to find that ideal sunscreen for you?

Your ideal sunscreen would be the one that you’d love to apply, every morning, without any complaints. While you must always look at the SPF & PA Levels of the sunscreen, there are a couple of other factors that you must consider as well. Here are a few questions that you must ask before you pick your sunscreen.

Does it suit your skin type? This is something that must be first & foremost on your list. Understanding your skin type will help you pick a sunscreen that’s right for you. For instance, a cream-based sunscreen works well for ones with dry skin, while a gel-based one would suit someone with oily skin. On the other hand, a water-based sunscreen would work well for someone with combination skin.

Is it non-comedogenic? While non-comedogenic sounds very clinical, it simply implies a product that will not block your skin's pores. A non-comedogenic product is one that's formulated to better penetrate your skin without clogging your pores. Because blocked pores lead to problems such as acne, blemishes, blackheads & more. So when picking your sunscreen, make sure it's non-comedogenic. We are, after all, looking for a sunscreen that solves our problems, not create new ones.

Is it blending in well? Many often complain that their sunscreens don’t blend well.  As a result it leaves a chalky, whitish finish on the skin (totally unattractive!!) a.k.a white cast. This has led to many people just skipping out on sunscreen. But that can be avoided. When picking a sunscreen go for one that claims “easy blendability” or “no white cast” or one that is tinted.

Is it quick absorbing? This is another fact that you must consider when getting a new sunscreen. A sunscreen that absorbs well is one that will be more effective in protecting your skin from the sun rather than one that does not.

Is it water & sweat resistant? Does your outdoor activities include exposure to water (say, swimming or other water sport) or heavy perspiring? If so, you must ensure that your sunscreen is water & sweat resistant. This means that the sunscreen will protect your skin even when exposed to water and sweat. However, you will still need to reapply it after certain intervals.

How to introduce sunscreen in your daily AM skincare routine?

Now that you’ve picked a sunscreen that suits your skin’s needs, here’s how you can introduce it in your daily skincare routine.

Step 1: Cleanse your face with a gentle, sulphate-free face wash

Step 2: Dab your face & neck with an alcohol-free toner

Step 3: Gently apply serum to your face & neck. Wait for it to absorb into your skin properly

Step 4: Dot your face & neck with a moisturizer. Gently massage it in with your fingers, using upward motions

Wait for a minute or two before applying your sunscreen.

Step 5: Dot your face & neck with sunscreen. Massage it in with your fingers, using gentle upward motions. Use it as a last step in your skincare routine.

Remember to reapply your sunscreen after fixed intervals of time, as and when required.

Pro Tip: Make sure you apply the sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out. This allows the sunscreen to absorb well & therefore give you maximum protection.

Some other ways to stay ‘Sun Safe’

A sunscreen limits sun damage. However, you must still take measures to protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun. Here are some tips that will help you to stay ‘Sun Safe’.

• Avoid going out in the sun, in the middle of the day (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM). This is because the UV rays of the sun are the most potent around this time of the day.

• Try to limit your exposure to the sun when outside. You use an umbrella or a wide-brimmed straw hat.

• When going outdoors for long durations of time, especially in the middle of the day, try wearing protective clothing.

• Make sure you are using sunglasses that filter out the UV rays.

A Final Word

Now you know all the reasons why sunscreen is oh-so-important, we hope that you will not be skipping out on it anymore. Picking the correct sunscreen is almost like picking an outfit. It is not a one size fits all situation. So you must first try to understand the needs of your skin before you choose a sunscreen. With that being said, we hope you pick a sunscreen that you love wearing, everyday!