Dubai: Those dire warnings about the hidden dangers in all that lovely sunshine are clearly getting through - people are now more aware of the sun's potential for harm than they were 10 years ago.
And there's good reason to be cautious if you want to invest in your looks and well-being as the UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) rays can wreak havoc on all skin types, making it essential for you to give your skin the best defences against harmful rays.
But with the beauty shelves stacked with ever-growing varieties of sun protection potions consumers can be left confused by information overload.
So if you're feeling flustered by SPFs (Sun Protection Factor) and all those formulations, here's some expert advice from Dubai-based dermatologist Dr Satish Menon about sunbathing safely with beauty in mind.
What are the basics I need to look for on my sun care bottle?
It is advisable to go for a sun care product with a Sun Protection Factor of 30 and the product should be hypo-allergenic (causing less allergic reactions).
In the market: Soltan Once Lotion SPF 30, Dh55, or Lancaster Sun Care SPF 30, Dh116
Does daily sun protection overload and aggravate the skin?
Daily sun protection does not necessarily aggravate the skin. Brands should be chosen wisely, though based on product recognition and credibility. Preferably use sunscreens marked ‘light' as these are less prone to causing any allergies or irritation - the less greasy, the better.
In the market: Eucerin Sun Lotion Extra Light SPF 30, Dh104 or Soltan Once Extreme Light Pouch SPF 30, Dh80
How can I accelerate my golden glow but still stay protected?
The product range in the market is so extensive that there's a solution for almost everything! There are enough products out there to protect one's bronze as well as their skin.
In the market: Rougj Attive Bronze Sun cream SPF 15, Dh109 or ProActive Sun Protection & Tanning SPF 15, Dh104
How can I encourage my man to apply sun cream?
Not many men are in favour of taking the effort to apply sunscreen lotions on themselves as it tends to make the skin look white. To counter this, products are being created just to make sure men don't forego their skin protection for fear of some sort of trivial embarrassment.
These days there are a lot of new products that are ‘invisible' such as sprays. They are non-greasy and easily absorbed into the skin. One must be careful though not to inhale them while spraying and to avoid contact with the eyes.
In the market: Lancaster Sun Care Spray SPF 15-25, Dh149 or Vichy Laboratory Spray SPF 25, Dh110 or Eau Thermale Avene Spray Dh133
What kind of product should I look for to suit sensitive skin?
It is best to go with a hypo-allergenic product that is fragrance-free as it is less likely to cause any skin irritation. It's best to use creams rather than sprays in the case of sensitive skin.
In the market: Eau Thermale Avene High Protection Mineral Cream Dh99 or Eucerin Sun Lotion Extra Light SPF 30, Dh104.
The writer is an intern at XPRESS
