A guide to finding the right sunscreen for your skin tone

SPF for your Skin Tone

Sun exposure has a greater impact on your skin than you think, even more, when you are going through certain skin issues. Stepping out in the sun without applying an SPF can be the biggest skincare mistake you can make. The skin’s deepest layer is affected by prolonged direct contact with the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. You may often read that a broad-spectrum SPF coverage is good for protection against the sun’s damaging UV radiation. While chemical sunscreens (aka organic sunscreens) shield you from the sun by absorbing its rays like a sponge, mineral-based chemicals, which make up natural sunscreens (aka physical sunscreens), work by reflecting and scattering UV rays.

Choosing the perfect sunscreen for your skin tone

Darker skin tone

The more melanin in the skin, the darker the skin tone. Individuals with darker skin tones may be more protected against sun exposure because greater melanin may imply that you won't get sunburnt as quickly in the sun. However, this is often misperceived and leads dark-skinned people to believe they don't require sun protection. Although dark-skinned individuals do not get sunburned as easily as lighter-skinned people, they will substantially suffer from sun damage if they don’t use sunscreen. Age spots, cancer and wrinkles are the major signs of damage caused by sun exposure.

Luckily, there are high-science sunscreens born out of ample scientific research and tested widely among people with darker skin tones. Although sun protection with an SPF of 30 is recommended for skin with darker pigmentation, it is always better to use a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of 30/50 to protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Lighter skin tone

Melanin is activated by UV light. Unfortunately, light-skinned individuals tend to get sunburned far too easily. Thus, people with a fair complexion must use sun protection every day, both indoors and outdoors. Some experts claim that SPF 30 is enough to protect most people from sun damage. People with fair skin and individuals with medical issues that make them more sensitive to sunlight or with a family history of skin cancer should use sunscreen with at least SPF 50 and technologically advanced skincare formulations for their skin conditions.

SPF is non-negotiable, but also not enough!

Sunscreen only protects you from sunburns and loss of moisture from the skin. Therefore, along with sunscreen, experts strongly recommend using other scientifically-backed skincare formulations to keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness more effectively than other conventional ingredients formulated for dry skin. A robust, expert-backed, high-science technology is a real game-changer for combating potential dry skin issues by improving the skin barrier.

Bottom line, sunscreen is one of the most vital and non-negotiable components of your skincare regimen, irrespective of your skin tone. We are exposed to UV rays daily, even at home because of the blue light radiation emitted by our phones and computers. Hence, applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30/50 is essential in-house as well. Looking for the sunscreen most suitable for your skin tone and budget can be a task, but a task well worth your attention! Pairing it with a good formulation that will help your skin inside-out is just the cherry on top you need for better skin!