How to choose the best sunscreen for your skin by Dr Pallavi

We all know the benefits of sunscreen but fall short how to choose the right one
for us.

while choosing a sunscreen to keep in mind

1. your skin type dry/oily /normal
2. if you have any skin issues like acne, pigmentation, sensitivity
3. your daily sun exposure: mild, moderate, excess.
4. Age, less than 30 or more than 30.

Gel-based and matte finish sunscreen’s with SPF 30 plus is helpful for anybody
with oily skin, with or without acne and also for people with mild to moderate sun
exposure like a 9-5 job, desk job when u go shopping, day outing etc.

People with sensitive skin, pigmentation issues, lots of outdoor activities can
choose a sunblock instead of sunscreen. Sunblocks are physical sunscreen’s
which are made of zinc oxide, titanium oxide etc which act as reflectors. New
generation sunblocks do not give whitish tinge and are aesthetically well accepted
by both men and women. Most of the physical sunscreens come with a broad
spectrum coverage of both UVA and UVB.

People with dry to normal skin should use either a lotion based or an emulsion
based sunscreen with an SPF between 30-50.

People who swim or play outdoor games can choose aqua gels which are sweat
and waterproof.

Smokers, age above 30 should use sunscreens with lactobionic acid and always
use a higher SPF with lotion or emulsion based as this combination helps best to
reduce collagen breakdown by keeping the skin hydrated and also nullifies the
effect of the sun on skin.

So choose your sunscreen wisely.

Oral sunscreens

There is a huge hue and cry about antioxidants and how it helps prevent aging.
As we all know aging is of two types … Intrinsic: internal factors
Extrinsic: environmental and lifestyle factors majorly: food, pollution, sun,
smoking etc.

Extrinsic aging is something that we can protect ourselves from….

1. Exercise: helps increase our metabolism and keeps our immune system
most active.
2. Food: balanced diet, less sugar, and a good amount of water intake help
keep our system balanced. Thermogenic foods like ragi, fruits, berries,
jaggery …all of these help to detoxify our system and help prevent lifestyle
disorders like thyroid, PCOS, early diabetic.

When we lack to do the above oral antioxidants help, they help remove
toxins, and nullify the effect of sun damage.

Look for oral antioxidants which have sufficient amount of Vit C, VIT E, beta-
carotene, lycopene etc…

Higher antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, polypodium work as internal
sunscreens and are to be used under doctors prescription.