The Indian summers are almost dry, warm, and scorching. We all agree to the change in climatic conditions which are getting worse day by day. The sun feels hotter with every passing day. In such conditions, protection of the skin is the biggest concern. This weather is never liked by the people because of the excessive skin damage due to the hot rays of the sun. Hence skincare routine is a must ritual in this season. One should always take care of the skin while stepping out of the house in the summer. Your skin is the body’s largest organ and it covers your entire body. The skin needs the best protection against the harsh effects of the environment.
Constant exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to skin damage such as wrinkles, suntan, sunspots, and skin cancer. Sun damage is cumulative, which means that the damage to the skin caused by the sun’s UV rays all adds up. Other than environmental pollutants, ultraviolet exposure is one of the reasons that leads to premature aging.
How can you Protect Yourself from Sun Damage?
The most likely used product during summer is Sunscreen. They are the physical or chemical barriers that either reflect the rays or absorb them through the skin which ultimately protects the body from the sun causing damage. The word ‘sunscreen’ itself tells you about its use! By wearing sunscreen every day, you can slow down the effects of aging on your skin; thereby looking more youthful and radiant.
How to select a Sunscreen?
The sunscreens are labelled with the SPF factor which is connected to UVB rays. The SUN protection factor (SPF) is a measure of how well the sunscreen will protect the skin from UV rays. The sun's rays emit UV radiations that are not visible but can be felt on your skin. The dermatologists recommend water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher as it blocks 97% of the UV rays suitable to use in the Indian climate.
Ideally, SPF 30 would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. The higher the SPF number, the better it works at blocking UV rays. It is important to note that no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays. The sunscreen should be selected as per the outdoor activities of a person.
For daily routine, SPF 30 to 50 is recommended. In the case of high altitudes, outdoor trekking, a higher SPF is an ideal choice.
Nowadays, when the market offers a variety of options to select sunscreens, one should opt for herbal-based products. The herbal ingredients help to control the free radical damage caused due to sun damage and also prevent cancer-causing damage to the skin.
One of the most recommended and best sunscreen lotions is moha: sunscreen lotion with SPF50. It is enriched with herbal ingredients like Aloe, sunflower oil, and wheat germ oil that help protect the skin from sun damage. Choose your herbal sunscreen wisely and enjoy the summers!!!