Pri Tan
Pri Tan
Jul 30, 2017 · 5 min read

So many sunscreens, which one works? How do they work?

I’ve been meaning to buy a good sunscreen, but having looked online on a multi brand portal and going to brick and mortar stores has got me confused and more confused about the efficacy of the brands. Various brands offering SPF30 or SPF 50, same brands offering different kinds of SPF 30, so which is the right one?

There are at least a 50 sunscreens out there that I rummaged though. But do I need to pay a high price for finding a sunscreen that really works or can I get a value deal?

I checked a few claims on the packaging, each more inviting as the other, some whose design and packaging was so inviting.

The price ranged from as much as 2.5$ to as high as 25$. ( Standard 40 gm)

Which SPF30 works? Do I have to pay a high price for the best one?

So I did some research, spoke to some cosmotologists and dermatologists and here’s what I found-

  1. Good Dermatologists recommend those sunscreens whose formulation they are aware of. This is because they know if the right dosage has been added and if there are irritants etc which may not suit a particular skin type.
  2. If a sunscreen states dermatologically tested, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your dermatologist would recommend it.
  3. A higher SPF doesn’t mean it’s a better or more effective sunscreen.

A good sunscreen has to be:

  1. Broad spectrum / Multi spectrum- In simple language, these fight against UVA and UVB by either absorbing or repelling. (UVA is 95% of the UV rays and is a leading cause of skin cancer and skin aging)
  2. SPF 15 at least - this is the minimum standard set by US FDA. By the way, SPF only helps protect from UVB. (UVB causes sun burn)

But if you think these claims are so unique, that it’s going to help you filter to just a few, then you are wrong, because 95% of the sunscreens have these claims.

So let’s look at what can be used to sieve a better one.

Ingredients, the must have ones-

Active ingredients in sunscreens come in two forms, Mineral And Chemical filters. Each uses a different mechanism for protecting skin and maintaining stability in sunlight.

  • The most common sunscreens on the market contain chemical filters. These products typically include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.
  • Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

In a nutshell, a sunscreen that contains atleast one of the following, does the trick- ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, sulisobenzone, or zinc oxide. Any of those should do the trick.

Basic Sunscreen Ingredients & Protection it offers (Reference- http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/the-skin-cancer-foundations-guide-to-sunscreens)

What differs though may not be the efficacy of a sunscreen caused by ingredients but a texture that you may or may not like. There are few sunscreen that are too thick, too creamy, some are so light weight, as a serum, this also contributes to a significant price difference. Thus you may want to judge this wisely depending on your pocket and preference.

So while you might be compelled to spend extra on sunscreens which have great jargon and a variety of terms thrown here and there, I’d say there isn’t a point, if the sun Protect ingredients are the same or similar.

What to Avoid

These ingredients aren’t as widespread now but here’s a big NO-

  1. Retinyl Palmitate: Derived from Vitamin A, retinyl palmitate is added to some sunscreens to help reduce the signs of aging. It is not a UV filter, so it’s not an essential sunscreen ingredient. Worrisome is a suggested link between between skin cancer and Retinyl.
  2. Spray Sunscreen- Don’t spray it on your face because the affects of inhalation of the fine particles is still unknown. Plus even if you spray it on your body, you still have to rub it, to ensure that the skin has been properly absorbed. So really no point.

Sunscreen with a purpose-

There are a few sunscreen in the market which try to differentiate with other claims, so you have to judge whether that claim really solves any purpose for you.

  1. Water Resistant- Great for sports people, on the road sales staff, or when you go out for a swim, have a day at the beach etc. Or if you sweat too much, then his is good for you.
  2. Fairness Sunscreen- These sunscreen claim to provide you with a fairness quotient along with the sun rays protection. I’d really have to delve into specific brands to check the efficacy of the ingredients added that cause fairness.
  3. Sunscreen With Fruit Actives- Ehm, so my problem with such flaky claims is that I don’t know what fruit actives, how much has been added, I mean it should have a bare minimum that makes a difference right? Why pay extra, when I am using a good day or night cream, and dab it with the quote of sunscreen.
  4. Kid Sunscreen- Avoid sunscreens with para-aminobenzoic acid(PABA) and benzephenones like dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone as they might irritate the child’s skin. Children’s sunscreens use ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Unlike chemical ingredients, these protect babies' skin without being absorbed.
  5. Sunscreen For Skin Problems Or Allergies- People who have sensitive skin or skin conditions may also benefit from using sunscreens designed for children. Go for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead of chemicals like para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone. If you have skin irritation or allergies, avoid sunscreens with alcohol, fragrances, or preservatives.
  6. Skin Type Sunscreen- There are claims that state for oily skin, for dry skin, extra moisturizing sunscreen, oil free sunscreen etc. See whether the sunscreen related claims are all there, and check the particular sunscreen related ingredient and then choose for your skin type. Basically, the difference in these sunscreen is a few ingredients they might have added for the claims they have written or they might have chosen a different base for the cream for the skin type.

That’s all. Now you have the knowledge to select the right sunscreen and to not be fooled by price, packaging or jargon. Happy making a mindful choice.

Pri Tan

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Branding. Content. New product development. Cosmetic trends. Angels. Travel.

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