Choosing the right sunscreen is not rocket science but it does involve some basic knowledge and research. Putting on just any sunscreen on your face and body is not going to help in any way. In fact, it can even make things worse for you and your skin.
So before you head out to get the sunscreen that is best for you read the below-mentioned points to have a better idea of the same.
1. Determine your skin type- Choosing a sunscreen for yourself may not be as easy as you think. It needs a lot of trial and error and then only you find the one which is perfect for you. Picking the right sunscreen has a lot to do with your skin type as well. For example, if you have oily skin then gel based or spray sunscreens are perfect for you. But if your skin is dry then you must opt for cream or lotion based ones as it will work both as a sunscreen as well as a moisturizer.
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2. For a fresh look- If you want to look fresh and doesn’t want your makeup to smudge or budge at all then matte or gel-based sunscreens are meant for you. The matte formula will ensure that your makeup doesn’t move and stays put the whole day. You can also double up your sunscreen as a primer as well.
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3. UVA and UVB- You must have often noticed these two words written on most of the sunscreen tubes and bottles. But most of the people are totally unaware of the meaning and importance of the same. The UVA (long wave ultraviolet A) and UVB (short wave ultraviolet B) rays are the sun’s rays which reach the surface of the earth. The UVA rays are responsible for photoaging and pigmentation while the UVB rays are responsible for skin tanning and skin cancer. When purchasing a sunscreen, it is important that you get one which will protect your skin from both of these. Look on the package for the SPF as well as the PA symbol.
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4. How much protection is enough- People often get confused as of how much SPF is actually sufficient for you in order to protect your skin. The minimum SPF protection you should go for is 30 in order to protect your skin from the UVB rays and at least PA++ for UVA rays. You can go up to SPF 50 if your skin is very pale and gets burned very easily or if you plan to stay out in the sun for extended hours then also you must use a high SPF sunscreen.
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5. Keep a check on expiry date- You may not be aware of the fact that the ingredients present in the sunscreen have the tendency to breakdown and thus, you should not use one that is very old or has passed the date of expiry. Also, when purchasing a new one do check the manufacturing and expiry date of the same.
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Always remember-
- Â Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes earlier before you decide to leave the
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-  No matter if it is cloudy or winters, never skip the sunscreen because if it is daytime the sun is out there and so are the sun’s rays. No matter how mild the sun’s rays are they still have the tendency to harm your skin.
-  If you are spending long hours in the sun, then don’t forget to reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours.
Also Read :Â 8 Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying A Sunscreen
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- Â Not only your face but even other parts of your body too need protection from the sun. So make sure to slather on sunscreen on all the exposed parts of your body as well.
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