Summers in India are super hot. It’s the season, when most part of the country is boiling with high temperatures. Hot winds and burning sun are always together during summer. Cotton clothes are preferred to protect oneself of the prickly heat of Indian summer. It is must to carry Water, Lemonades or Aam Panna with you all the times to prevent you from dehydration.
A Sunscreen is a must no matter what time you are heading out. Sunscreen, also called as a Sunblock, is a product that protects the skin from the harmful ultraviolet radiation and thus helps protect against sunburn. Sunscreen comes in different forms like cream, lotion, spray or gel.
Sunscreens are commonly labeled with a sun protection factor (SPF) that measures the fraction of sunburn-producing UV rays that reach the skin. Sunscreen prevents ultraviolet light from reaching the skin.
Sunscreen must be reapplied every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating, in order to remain effective. Early civilizations used a variety of plant products to help protect the skin from sun damage. Ancient Greeks used olive oil for this purpose, and Ancient Egyptians used extracts of rice, jasmine, and lupine plants. Zinc oxide paste has also been popular for skin protection for thousands of years.
Everyone should use sunscreen that has Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays), Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or higher and is Water resistance. The sun’s harmful rays can go through your skin, no matter how the climate is sunny or cloudy. Apply sunscreen before heading out.
There are number of products available in the market that does the trick to defend you from the sun.
- Lotus 3 in 1 Matte Lock Daily Sunblock SPF 40
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry-touch Sunblock SPF 50+
- VLCC sweat free SPF 40, Lakme Sun Expert UV Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
- L’Oreal Paris Dermo Expertise UV Perfect Moisture Fresh Sunscreen — SPF 30
- Lacto Calamine Sun Shield Daily Use Sunscreen — Oily to Normal Skin Variant SPF30 are few to name.
Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, blocks 97% of the sun’s rays. But no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s rays. So, to protect your skin from sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer you should:
- Look for shade when in sun, the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, when possible.
- Water, snow and sand reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn. So be extra cautious.
- Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements.
Your skin gets damaged from two types of sun rays, UVA and UVB rays. The UVA rays penetrate deeply in your skin and causes premature aging. And UVB rays cause harm to your skin in form of sun burns. Therefore you must have a sunscreen that acts as a protective shield against both these types of rays.
Sensitive skin
People with sensitive skin must safeguard their skin by wearing protective gear like umbrellas, brimmed hats and sun glasses, in addition to using a sunscreen formula. A fragrance free and oil free sunscreen is best for such people.
Normal skin
Normal skin type people can try any formulas before they come to any conclusion. They can look for sunscreens that are comfortable on their skin, do not make their skin tight nor clog the skin pores.
Dry skin
Go for a sunscreen that heals dryness while nourishing the skin. Look for a hydrating lotion or cream-based formula. There are many good brands of sunscreens available in the market that provides extra moisturizing properties. A lot of daily moisturizers with SPF protection are good.
Oily skin
For oily skin, a good choice will be a mattefying sunscreen that is water based. It helps to provide your face with shine free property and gives basic protection against sun damage.
Don’t forget to put on sunscreen before you step out, to offer you the best protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
