Mistakes You Are Making With Your Sunscreen

A potent sunscreen serves as a shield for your skin – warding off UV rays to prevent tanning, burns, pigmentation, and more. And we cannot stress enough how this product should be non-negotiable in your daily skincare. However, in rarest of the rare cases, even a high-performing sunscreen can miss the mark. Intrigued? Keep scrolling. 

If you too feel your choicest SPF flattering, keep a close watch for these sunscreen mistakes you could be making. From not applying enough sunscreen to missing out on reapplication, these mistakes can really harm sun protection for your skin. 

Mistakes Your Are Making With Your Sunscreen  

Here are some mistakes that can be making your sunscreen ineffective-

1. Not Applying Enough Sunscreen  

To evade the wrath of UV rays, you need at least two fingers’ worth of sunscreen. Anything less than that is bound to quickly wear off. Results? Tanning, burns, and other types of sun damage.

2. Applying Sunscreen Too Late  

According to experts, a typical sunscreen takes 15 to 20 minutes to percolate the skin and get activated for maximum sun protection. So, if you are stepping outdoors, ensure that buffer time for your sunscreen. Applying SPF right before braving the sun may not be as effective.

3. Forgetting To Reapply  

One of the biggest mistakes you could be making with your sunscreen is skimping reapplication. You see, factors like sweat, water, or even rubbing your face breaks down the SPF formula, making it less effective. To avoid this problem, reapply your sunscreen religiously every two hours, no exceptions.

4. Not Using Sunscreen Year Round 

Right off the bat, sunscreen is mandatory on all 365 days – no exceptions. Regardless of an rainy day or a frosty cold morning, the harmful UV rays manage to pierce bands of clouds to wreak havoc on skin. So, be consistent with your SPF.

5. Using The Right SPF 

The ‘SPF’ on your sunscreen label is not an arbitrary reading but defines the degree of protection offered by the formula. That’s right. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and measures the percentage of UVB rays blocked by the product. Case in point, SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UV rays. An SPF 50 sunscreen obstructs a whopping 98% of harmful UVB rays and so forth. So, choose wisely.  

Experts suggest that SPF 30 and above works well for the Indian skin type – indoors or for casual outdoors activities. Alternatively, if you’re swimming, trekking or engaging in outdoors sports, pick an SPF 50 formula.

6. Relying On Sunscreen In Makeup

While using makeup imbued with sunscreen is favorable, it certainly isn’t enough. To ensure consistent and unerring sun protection for your skin, first slater a generous layer of sunscreen on your skin. Follow up with your base formulas and rest of makeup. To reapply sunscreen on a face full of glam, dunk a beauty blender in your choice of SPF. Now, dab gently on the entirety of face to avoid smudging or smearing.

7. Applying Sunscreen Only On Exposed Areas  

Don’t forget to cover your neck, earlobes, and hands with your favorite sunscreen. These areas might be often overlooked by you but aren’t spared by menacing UV rays.

8.  Using Expired Sunscreen 

Last but not least, verify the shelf life of your sunscreen. Using an expired formula can lead to reduced UV protection, allergic reactions, or inexplicable sun irritation. 

How To Choose The Right Sunscreen 

By now, we know that not all sunscreens are created equal. Therefore, to pick a formula that works for your skin type, attention must be paid. Here’s how you can find the perfect match for your summer vanity -

1. Key Ingredients: If your skin expels sebum left, right, and centre, look for a sunscreen with Niacinamide or other blotting ingredients. Additionally, this sunscreen for oily skin should be lightweight, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic. Alternatively, the perfect sunscreen for dry skin should contain ingredients like D-Panthenol, Peptides or Hyaluronic Acid in the forefront.

2. Ingredients to avoid: Folks with sensitive and oily skin type, should especially forgo alcohol, fragrance, and other SLS in their go-to sunscreen. This helps minimize episodes of inflammation, redness, and irritation. 

Conclusion  

Even the best sunscreen will falter, if you’re making these mistakes during application. Little slips like not applying enough SPF, skipping reapplication, using sunscreen right before stepping in the sun can really harm your sun protection. Results? Burns, tanning, pigmentation, premature ageing, and more. 

FAQs 

1. What is the most common mistake made with sunscreen products in outdoor use? 

The most common sunscreen mistake made is skipping on reapplication. Factors like sweat, pollutants, and even rubbing your face, break down your SPF formula and make it less effective.

2. Which SPF is best?

For Indian skin type, experts suggest that SPF 30 or more should suffice.

3. Is SPF 50 enough for India

Yes, SPF 50 is enough for Indian skin – both for casual outings and heavy workouts in the sun.