Health Awareness
Blog at a Glance
Blog at a Glance
SPF stands for Sun Protective Factor, which is a measure of how effectively an SPF cream blocks UVB rays. These rays are responsible for several sun-related problems, such as:
Glance through the sunscreen SPF meaning in numbers:
If you carefully observe the number, the increase among the three SPF strengths is not huge. SPF 30 is not double the protection of SPF 15. So, consider SPF 50 if you're spending hours in the Indian sun or commuting on two-wheelers, or working near windows with direct sun rays.
A 100% YES… There is no bigger myth about the Indian skincare industry than that darker skin tones do not require sun protection. Melanin, the pigment responsible for our skin tone, offers some baseline UV protection. However, dermatologists consider it roughly equivalent to SPF 2 to 4 naturally. This is far too low for a country like India and its UV intensity.
The result? Indians complain about hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, or premature ageing, where the main culprit is the sun. An SPF cream used regularly is one of the most underrated steps with anti-ageing and skin-evening benefits.
Before choosing sunscreen, understand what is inside the bottle.
Physical Sunscreens: These are also known as mineral sunscreens that sit on the surface of the skin and deflect UV rays. Such sunscreens have ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that work immediately upon application.
Chemical Sunscreens: They absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is released from the skin surface. Chemical sunscreens tend to feel lighter and blend more easily on Indian skin tones. For them to work effectively, they require about 20 minutes of prior application.
Today, sunscreen brands understand the versatility of combination products. Hybrid sunblock formulas allow a broad-spectrum SPF cream suitable for Indian skin. So, opt for a hybrid SPF 50 sunscreen with a PA++++ rating.
In fact, the sunscreen scam is officially over, as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduces the revolutionary IS 17494 standard, making in-vivo testing on human volunteers mandatory to validate SPF claims.
What it means is that a correct SPF 50 application is better than a thin or rushed SPF 70 application. For Indian skin, SPF 50 with PA++++ does the work.
However, if your day includes commuting, outdoor meetings, or spending a day in direct contact with the sun's rays for over 30 minutes, you need SPF 50.
The blatant answer to which SPF is good for skin depends on your lifestyle and skin type. Check which category you fall into?
The most well-known benefit of applying SPF is avoiding sunburn. But its benefits go beyond this. The blatant answer to which SPF is good for skin depends on your lifestyle and skin type. Check which category you fall into?
Knowing about the ingredients is one thing, but applying SPF correctly is the main thing.
STEP 1: Clean your skin with a suitable cleanser. It is important to wash off accumulated oil and dirt from the skin before applying SPF.
STEP 2: After cleansing the face, moisturise it to hydrate the skin enough.
STEP 3: Apply sunscreen generously. Use the two or three-finger rule to apply enough SPF on the face, ears, neck, and headline.
STEP 4: Apply the sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before stepping out of the house. This helps the formula to settle on your skin and work.
STEP 5: Reapply immediately if you are sweating or swimming. During outdoor exposure, reapply after every two hours.
In India, where the sun is everywhere around us during the daytime, applying sunscreen is mandatory. With the right SPF and consistent application, you can keep the sun-related skin issues at bay. So, make sun protection a daily habit, regardless of the weather, to keep your skin healthy, youthful, and protected.
