My experience with Suncare Products and best available options in India

Details: Category: Other-lifestyle articles; Written by Monita Sharma

suncare Hello Humindians,

One thing that I cannot do without in summers is a handy bottle of a good quality and really effective sunblock. Ever since I learnt about the benefits of using a sunblock over a sunscreen, I’ve been on a hunt for finding the best sunblock for me that is not just great quality wise but also, the one that comes easy on my pocket. The luck arches the closing ozone.

For those who don’t know the difference between a sunblock and a sunscreen, I suggest you to please go through this first- Difference between a Sunscreen and a Sunblock and then decide, as to what will suit you the best- a sunscreen or a sunblock.

Indian summers can be very challenging for our skin. On one side, you want to flaunt your cute little pink dresses and on the other, you have to safeguard yourself from the sweltering heat. One of the primary reasons, for most of us (Indian women) of applying a sunscreen or a sunblock lotion is to avoid our skin becoming a shade darker due to sun tan, however, sunblock doesn’t just prevent you from tanning, but also from sun burns, rashes and most importantly, “Ageing” & Skin cancer! Wrinkles, tanning, sun burns are a few things that come for free if you don’t protect yourself from the Sun God who’s at his generous best during the summers.

So, what is it that you need to look for in a good sunscreen or sunblock product?

Does it block UVA or UVB rays or both?
What is the SPF?
Is it a sunblock or a sunscreen?

UVA, which penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB, has long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling. UVB rays, on the other hand, cause sunburns and rashes.

It is however, ironic, to see that most of the sunscreen products available in the market offer protection from JUST UVB rays! So, carefully, choose your product next time!

As far as the SPF is concerned, for Indian Summers, you should opt for a product that offers at least 30 SPF or more. For more about SPF for Indian Skin, read this: What is SPF? How much does my skin require?

If I tell you about my experience, I’ve always been extremely prone to tanning. I never used any sunscreen/sunblock until I once watched a video of mine and completely hated myself for such a dark n uneven complexion. (Don’t get me wrong, I was not at all disappointed bcoz I didn’t look extremely fair, but I was disappointed coz I had lost my original complexion. There was a difference of night and day between my face and legs’ complexion).

So, I read about, explored a lot of products and interacted with a few experts, until I zeroed down on these three and thankfully, got my original complexion back. Along with a sunblock, I also made sure to try one or two of these herbal home remedies naturally- How to remove tan naturally!

Coming back to the topic of suncare products, my advice is to buy a sunblock as it works in a much better way than a sunscreen, and so, hopefully, will easily take care of all the problems related to sun. Buy a chemical sunblock not a physical one as physical sunblocks are very dry and hard to blend.

So, here we go! Three Best Sunscreen and Sun Products available in India

Olay – Healthy Fairness UV Blocker :

Index: Sun Block
SPF: 30
Cost: Rs. 299 for a 50 ml bottle
Packaging: Small Pump bottle
Spectrum: Broad Spectrum-UVA/UVB
My verdict: Olay (Natural White) Healthy Fairness UV blocker, is undoubtedly a great product. The best part is that unlike other products of its genre, it doesn’t either give a whitish outcast on the face nor does it give a greasy/oily kind of feel. For those with an oily skin, this product is a MUST-BUY. Although I have normal to dry skin, it suits me perfectly as well. Another big benefit is that it is both water-resistant and water-based. Honestly, I recommend this product to all. The only drawback is that it’s a little expensive :( .

I used the bottle for about six months. You just need a pea-size drop of it and it blends amazingly well on the face.

sponsored:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sun Block

Index: Sunblock
SPF: 50
Cost: Rs. 150 for a 30 ml tube.
Packaging: Tube form
Spectrum: Broad – UVA/UVB, PA+++

Product Claim: Neutrogena Ultra sheer dry touch sunblock SPF 50+ (PA +++) is a breakthrough in sun protection. Stabilized with Helioplex™ Technology it provides superior balanced broad spectrum protection against skin aging UVA and burning UVB rays and combines it with Dry Touch Technology for an ultra light, non shiny finish. This light weight sun block has a light fresh scent and is gentle enough even for sensitive skin. broad spectrum uva - uvb PA+++ (uva protection rating)

My verdict:

This is another super cool sun block available in India. It is not at all greasy and gets absorbed quickly in your skin. You get a very smooth finish after you apply it, as it spreads easily on the skin. Helioplex is a patented product by Neutrogena and it combines two very effective sun blocking agents: avobenzone and oxybenzone, so it provides more stability to the product and the reapplication is needed only once after every 4 hours. It is both sweat and water proof. I like it more because it provides more protection than many other high- end products and that too, at a relatively low cost than others. But since my skin is dry, the only drawback about Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sun block is that I need to apply a good quantity of moisturizer along with it. Rest everything’s just perfect about it! :)

LOTUS Herbals Safe Sun ( 3 in 1 Matte Look Daily Sunblock)

Index: Sunblock
SPF: 40
Spectrum: Broad UVA/UVB
Cost: Rs. 175 for a 50 gm tube.

Product Claim: Revolutionary sun protection formulation which contains Broad spectrum protection with skin lightening ingredients to give a uniform matte finish to the skin. Fast absorption and non-greasy formula ensures a shine-free, light and clean feel.

My verdict: Lotus Herbals Safe Sun is an Okayish product with a tint. Yes, you don’t need to apply a foundation if you use this sunblock and the tint color is neutral- should be suitable to all types of Indian complexion. But it has no moisturizing abilities and leaves the skin quite dry. I don’t think it is water/sweat proof. It is gel like and the texture is runny, therefore spreads easily on the face and other body parts. What I don’t like about Lotus Herbals Safe Sun is its smell that stays on for quite some time and if you are wearing a white collared shirt, it is surely, going to look dirty if you don’t apply this sunblock carefully!!

My experience with Suncare Products and best available options in India

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