What factors should you consider while sunscreen shopping
By Mrs Mansi Vyas, Co-founder, Azafran
Sunscreens! The moment we hear this word, a hot and shiny summer day on the beach is all that comes to mind. But, did you know that our trusted summer companions aren’t just meant to be used when the sun comes out?
No matter what the season, the sun emits harmful UVA and UVB rays that are extremely dangerous for skin health. These rays can penetrate clouds and also exist during freezing temperatures. This is why sunscreens become an absolute necessity throughout the year no matter what the thermal condition.
The job’s not done here though! Sunscreens aren’t a “one size fits all” solution, every person is different and the type of sunscreen they need is different too. There are two main pointers to consider before picking up a sunscreen, read on to know more:
Type of skin
The texture and natural behavior of your skin determine the variety of sunscreen that you should opt for. Broadly speaking, sunscreens can be segmented into chemicals and minerals.
Chemical sunscreens boast nourishing and hydrating ingredients that make them the perfect fit for people with dry skin. Chemical sunscreens are also deemed appropriate for oily skin since they are rapidly absorbed.
On the other hand, if you have sensitive epidermis, mineral sunscreens are a better choice since the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens may not be conducive to delicate skin. Individuals with allergy or acne-inducing skin should also prefer mineral versions since components of chemical sunscreens may aggravate the underlying allergy.
UV Index
An oft-ignored facet of choosing a sunscreen is not just weather but also the core Ultraviolet Radiation Level Index, better known as UV Index.
Nowadays, a quick search on the internet or even the weather app on your phone can reveal the UV Index. If the index is higher, it is recommended to choose a strong broad-spectrum sunscreen with maximum SPF support, whereas, if the UV Index is relatively on the lower side, a lower rank of SPF would do the job more often than not.
According to the W.H.O, a UV index of 0 to 2 is considered normal, 3 to 7 is considered moderate and anything above 8 is labeled as high to extreme.
With climate change and its unpredictable temperatures hovering over us, not only do sunscreens become an absolute necessity, doing a bit of research before zeroing down on one is important too!
