Sunscreen for Indian skin: how to choose and use it

1.What to look for on the label

Look for three things: broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and a high PA rating. SPF measures protection from the UVB rays that burn; the PA rating grades protection from UVA, which is linked to tanning and dark spots. Choose water resistant if you sweat or spend time outdoors.

Broad spectrum

Covers both UVA and UVB. Always pick it

SPF

SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. Higher numbers add a little more, not double

PA+ to PA++++

A UVA grade used on many labels in Asia. More plus signs mean more UVA protection

Water resistant

For sweat, sport and humid commutes. It still needs reapplying

Expiry date

Throw away a bottle past its date, because it may no longer protect you

2.Choosing a texture for your skin type

Pick the texture by skin type. Oily or acne-prone skin usually suits a light gel or fluid labelled non-comedogenic. Dry skin does better with a cream or lotion. Sensitive skin often tolerates a fragrance-free mineral sunscreen best. The right one is whichever you will wear every single day.

• Oily skin routineLight, oil-free layers that still protect.Read the guide
• Dry skin routineCreamier layers on slightly damp skin.Read the guide
• Sensitive skin routineSimple, fragrance-free steps and how to patch-test.Read the guide
• How to know your skin typeA one-hour test if you are not sure.Read the guide

3.Mineral, chemical and tinted sunscreens

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and suit sensitive skin, but can leave a white cast. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV and usually look invisible. Tinted sunscreens contain iron oxide, which helps protect against visible light as well, and that matters if you get dark spots.

If you get dark spots or patchy pigmentation, a tinted sunscreen with iron oxide is worth trying. Dermatologists name it as the starting point for preventing and helping to clear dark spots in darker skin tones.

• Pigmentation and dark spotsThe kinds of dark spots and a simple routine for them.Read the guide

4.How much to apply, and when

Use at least one teaspoon on your face, which is about the length of your index and middle fingers. Apply it as the last step of your morning routine, about 15 minutes before going out, because skin takes that long to absorb it. Thin layers give far less protection than the label promises.

1. 1Finish your moisturiser first
2. 2Measure out two finger-lengths for the face, with more for the neck and ears
3. 3Cover the ears, neck, hairline and the backs of your hands
4. 4Wait about 15 minutes before going out

5.Reapplying, and Indian weather through the year

Reapply about every two hours when you are outdoors, and straight after swimming, sweating or towel drying. In India, keep wearing it through the monsoon and winter too: dermatologists advise sunscreen on cloudy days as well, because UV rays still reach your skin through cloud.

Summer

Water resistant and a light texture; reapply on long days out

Monsoon and humidity

A light gel, and keep reapplying on cloudy days

Winter

A creamier texture is fine, but do not skip it because the sun feels mild

Polluted cities

Cleanse it off thoroughly at night

• Monsoon skincareA routine for humid weather.Read the guide
• Winter skincareRicher care for dry North Indian winters.Read the guide
• Skincare in polluted citiesEvening cleansing and barrier care.Read the guide

6.Common sunscreen mistakes

The most common mistakes are applying too little, relying on SPF in makeup alone, skipping cloudy days, never reapplying and using an expired bottle. A higher SPF does not make up for a thin layer, so the amount you use and how often you reapply matter more than the number.

• Using a thin smear rather than a full teaspoon
• Counting on makeup or moisturiser with SPF as your only protection
• Skipping it because it is cloudy or winter
• Applying it once in the morning and never again on a day outdoors
• Believing a tan protects you: it does not
• Assuming darker skin does not need it: brown and black skin has some natural protection, but can still be damaged by the sun

7.Get a routine for your own skin

Saundarya AI is an AI skin analysis and grooming app that reads a single selfie and returns a personalised report: face shape, skin type, detected skin concerns with the visual evidence behind them, a morning and night skincare routine, product picks at three budgets, and an 8-week improvement plan.

Generic advice is a starting point. A scan reads sun-related concerns such as tanning, dark spots and uneven tone on your own face, shows the visual evidence and a confidence score, and builds a morning and night routine around it. The first full analysis is free.

This is general cosmetic guidance, not medical advice. See a dermatologist for skin that is painful, spreading, scarring or not improving after 8-12 weeks.