Experts on how to pick the right sunscreen

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With growing awareness about the importance of sunscreen in our daily routines, the question we're now posed with is which type of sunscreen to choose. Come summer and supermarket shelves are stocked high with different formulations that promise a variety of benefits. And then there's the all-important question of SPF - how much is suitable?

Reapplying sunscreen every four hours is a must to ensure efficacy says Dollie Solanki

"Topical sunscreens are essentially of two types based on how they protect your skin from sunlight. These include chemical sunscreens that don't just deflect sunlight and but also absorb certain UV radiations, while physical or mineral sunscreens act as barriers to only deflect sunlight," explains Dr Batul Patel, a dermatologist and founder of The Bombay Skin Clinic. She adds that most commonly available formulations for chemical sunscreens protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays. While UV-B rays are responsible for sunburns and contribute to skin cancers, including malignant melanoma (that resemble black moles), UV-A rays penetrate deeper and cause premature skin-ageing changes including wrinkle formation (photo-ageing). Such sunscreens are called broad-spectrum sunscreens.

Dr Batul Patel

Physical or mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, comprise ingredients such as zinc-oxide and titanium-dioxide. "While in the past, mineral sunscreens were heavier on the skin, and would leave a white cast, newer formulations have reduced the particle size so that these can be worn comfortably," she suggests. The third type of sunscreens is oral sunscreens that fortify your skin internally against sun damage. These include antioxidants such as Vitamin C and glutathione. Dr Patel recommends physical sunscreens for children and individuals with sensitive skin.

"If you are more prone to pigmentation, melasma and sunburns, use a chemical sunscreen and layer this with a physical sunscreen when stepping outdoors," she advises. Oral sunscreens cannot be used in isolation - pair these with either a physical or a chemical sunscreen, or use a combination of both.

Regardless of the type of sunscreen you choose, regular reapplication every four hours is a must to ensure efficacy, adds beauty blogger Dollie Solanki. Waterproof formulations begin to lose their efficacy within 40 minutes of water exposure, warns Dr Patel. If you wear makeup, Solanki suggests investing in SPF-fortified colour cosmetics and portable SPF sprays for easy reapplication.

Choose the right SPF
SPF 15 blocks 93 per cent of UV-B radiation, while SPF 30 blocks nearly 97 per cent. However, products with a higher SPF may cause irritation to sensitive skin types. Dr Patel suggests using a sunscreen with SPF 15 that is comfortable to wear and reapply frequently, instead of applying a thinner layer of a higher SPF sunscreen.