Have you ever noticed how summer tales are all about outdoor adventures, beach parties, and leisurely afternoons spent in the sun? Do you wonder how these people bear the heat and defend their skin in summers? The answer is, of course, sun protection! And the best sun protection in summers is using sunscreen regularly and generously. The sun’s rays grow stronger in the summers which can harm your skin significantly. It is important to take care of your skin by using proper sunscreen for summer. Sunscreen provides protection to the skin in the same way as an umbrella keeps the sun rays away. However, finding the ideal sunscreen for your skin is quite the challenge. Choosing the right sunscreen for your skin depends on many factors like skin type, location, spf, etc. Let us take a detailed look at using sunscreen for summer skin defense.
How Sunscreen Works
When talking about summer skin defense, we first need to understand the impact of the sun’s UV rays on the skin and how sunscreen works to protect against it. The sun’s UV rays are mainly of two types: UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can penetrate deep into our skin and are responsible for a lot of skin issues like premature aging, fine lines, wrinkles, etc. UVB rays cannot penetrate the deeper layers of the skin but can still cause sunburns, tanning, etc. Having ample protection against UV radiation is a must in the warmer months, especially the harsh Indian summers.
Sunscreens work to protect the skin’s surface by reflecting or dispersing UV rays. Most sunscreens are either chemical or mineral sunscreens. While they both provide sun protection, the method is a bit different. Chemical sunscreens enter the skin’s surface on application. They absorb the UV rays, convert them into heat, and disperse them in the environment. Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, form a layer and sit on the skin when applied. They usually leave a white tint on the body on application. They reflect the UV rays and don’t let them enter the body. Selecting the right sunscreen for summer, whether it’s chemical or mineral, depends on individual preferences and some other factors.
Choosing the Ideal Sunscreen
Finding the best sunscreen for Indian summers is a tough task where you need to consider a lot of factors:
Skin Type:
The first thing you should check is the suitability of the sunscreen for your specific skin type. For example, sunscreen for dry skin in summer can be lotion or cream based with good sun protection. These creams can offer moisturization as well as sun block.
Similarly, sunscreen for oily skin in summer should be gel-based. Compared to lotions or creams, sunscreen gels are lightweight, easier to absorb, and do not make the skin look oily.
And if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you should go for mild sunscreens. These creams will offer sun protection while ensuring not to irritate or inflame the sensitive skin.
SPF Range:
But along with the skin type, you must also consider the SPF range of the sunscreen. SPF or Sun Protection Factor indicates the level of protection it will offer you from UVB rays when applied during sun exposure. It can be anywhere between 2 to 100. While the ideal spf range is 30 or more, in hot climates like India, the ideal range of spf for summer can be anywhere between 40 to 50.
Sunscreen Spectrum:
Another important thing to remember is selecting a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Broad-spectrum sunscreens can protect you from both UVA and UVB rays effectively. While the range for UVB sun protection is spf, for UVA rays, it’s PA++. The best sunscreen for Indian summers is one with SPF 50 or higher and PA++++ for a broad-spectrum coverage.
Water-proof and Sweat-proof:
Summer fun is all about pool parties, afternoons on the beach, and outdoor activities. So, it’s important that your sunscreen is water-proof and sweat-proof and remains on the skin even in water.
How to Apply Sunscreen
To ensure effective sun protection, it is important to apply the sunscreen properly. Simply slathering it on is not enough! You need to apply it generously and cover all exposed skin thoroughly. Usually, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2-4 hrs. Depending on the spf range of your sunscreen you can reapply it in 4-5 hrs. But if you are swimming or sweating heavily, you can consider reapplying it every 2 hrs. Also, reapply sunscreen after towel drying too. Another thing to remember is that you should let the sunscreen permeate the skin properly. So, it’s best to apply it at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun.
Conclusion
Summer is known as the season of blue skies, picnics, trips to the beach, and lots of fun. But as you take on the journey of adventures and fun in summer, remember that sun protection is the first step to maintaining a healthy body and radiant complexion. You can enjoy all that summer has to offer while keeping you skin safe by mastering the art of sun protection. Defending your skin is all about cultivating sun-smart habits and finding the best sunscreen for summers. So what are you waiting for? Slather on your sunscreen and embrace summer with confidence!
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