How to Select a Sunscreen?

Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I using the right sunscreen? While choosing the sunscreen in Pakistan. You are not ALONE. Surprisingly! 50% of Pakistanis are using the wrong sunscreen for their skin type. People here in Pakistan choose sunscreen to avoid tanning. Many of them don't even bother to check the ingredient list. With the harsh weather change, choosing the best sunscreen in Pakistan is no longer an option - it's essential. This guide by Gluvit-s will help you find the best sunscreen for your skin and lifestyle.

7 Tips To Select The Best Sunscreen in Pakistan 

If you don’t know the basics you can never select a skin-friendly sunscreen. Here to your ease we have provided 7 tips that will help you in selecting the best sunscreen in Pakistan. 

Always Look For the Ingredients

Check the ingredients list before purchasing sunscreen. If you are wondering what super ingredients you should check while choosing the best sunscreen in Pakistan. Don’t worry we'll explain everything to you! 

For sensitive or acne-prone skin, go for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. If you prefer chemical formulas, look for avobenzone or octocrylene, but avoid these if your skin is sensitive.

When choosing the best sunscreen for dry skin, consider ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which add hydration. 

Niacinamide, silica, or green tea extract can control shine on oily skin. If your skin is easily irritated, choose formulas with panthenol, allantoin, or Centella asiatica.
Avoid oxybenzone, alcohol, and added fragrance, especially if your skin is sensitive. These ingredients will never give you breakouts, dryness, or redness.

Pro-Tip: Understand your skin type. Then select the sunscreen that has the most suitable ingredients according to your skin type. 

Get To Know The Spectrum Broadness

It is no surprise that many of us don't know about broad-spectrum protection. Let’s learn about it together! Broad-spectrum protection means that a sunscreen shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. 

UVB rays cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer, while UVA rays cause premature aging and wrinkles and also increase the risk of skin damage over time. 
From now on, you always choose broad-spectrum protection to keep your skin young, fresh, and protected against those deadly rays. 

Pro-Tip: Always look for broad-spectrum on the labels. If it is written on it, it means the specific sunscreen will provide protection against UVA and UVB rays. 

Low SPF Should Not Be Your Choice 

Choosing a lower SPF sunscreen makes your skin vulnerable to sun damage. SPF Sun Protection Factor. This factor measures how well the sunscreen protects your skin against UVB rays. Do you know what buying SPF 15 or lower means? It means that this sunscreen will block only 93% of UVB rays. Hence, always opt for SPF 30 or higher to get 97-99% protection against UVB rays. 

Pro-Tip: No matter how great the SPF value you use, it will never give 100% protection for the entire day. So you have to re-apply your sunscreen every 2 hours. 

Know Your Skin-Type

Before you select the best sunscreen in Pakistan, you must know your skin type. Your skin type matters a lot as it describes how your skin will react to different products. Here is how you can choose a sunscreen according to your skin type:

Oily Skin:

For oily skin, never choose cream-based sunscreens. Rather, choose matte, oil-free, or gel-based sunscreen, as this is the best sunscreen for oily skin. These sunscreens will not clog your pores and will not bring that extra shine to your face. They are lighter on the skin and help control excessive oil buildup on the face. 

Dry Skin:

For dry skin you should go for hydrating sunscreens. This type of sunscreen contains active ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or squalene, which makes them the best sunscreen for dry skin. All such sunscreens are made to lock moisture in your skin and keep your skin hydrated and moisturized for an extended period.  

Combination Skin:

No skin care is appropriate for those who have combination skin. As the skin is so complicated that if you apply something gel-based on the T-zone, it will dry out, and if you use any cream-based product on the cheeks, the acne will pop up. It can happen the same if you don't choose the right sunscreen according to your skin type. For such skin types, you should always move to sunscreens that give both hydrating and oil-controlling ingredients. Gel-cream-based products would be the best choice for the combined skin type. 

Sensitive Skin:

For sensitive skin like yours, you should always go for gentle ingredients. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are among the best gentle ingredients. These help protect your skin from the sun without causing irritation. Aloe vera and glycerin are great for keeping your skin calm and hydrated, while niacinamide can reduce redness and inflammation. Look for sunscreens that are fragrance-free and alcohol-free to avoid irritation. Mineral sunscreens with these ingredients are perfect for sensitive skin, giving you protection and moisture in the strong sun.

Consider The Climate

Weather conditions are another critical factor that you should not miss while selecting sunscreen in Pakistan. As you know, Pakistan has a diverse climate, and in this changing climate, you should not stick with one sunscreen. For summer, choosing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is the best decision. For winters and the days when you plan to stay home, SPF 15 would be a great choice. 

Focus on Labels, Not Brands

Whenever you purchase sunscreen, never look for brands, but look for their labels. Look for the ingredients, SPF, and spectrum protection. The product that fulfills all these aspects will be the best sunscreen in Pakistan. 

Prefer Dermatologist's Recommendation 

Never play with your skin as it is the most sensitive part of our body. Always opt for those skincare products that are recommended by dermatologists.

Suppose you are looking for a sunscreen recommended by a renowned Pakistani dermatologist. In that case, you must check Gluvit-S Sunscreen SPF 60. Dr. Shaista Lodhi recommended this sunscreen. 

Choosing the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin Type

Still confused about which sunscreen is best for your skin type? Here is one of our best sunscreens in Pakistan that can not only protect your skin but also do wonders for it. 

Gluvit-S Sunscreen SPF 60: This Sunscreen comes with SPF 60 which makes it a must have. Also, this sunscreen provides broad-spectrum PA+++ protection which guarantees high UVA protection. This is a foundation-based, water-resistant formula that makes it a phenomenal choice for college, university, and office-going girls. It is best for oily, dry, and combination skin. It will not clog your pores and protect your skin against acne and closed comedones. It reduces hyperpigmentation and gives a natural glow to your skin. 

Final Thought On The Best Sunscreen in Pakistan

We have provided you with all the essential information that you need to purchase sunscreen according to your skin type. If you follow all our tips and understand your skin type, you will surely have the best sunscreen this season. 

FAQ's

1. How to Apply Sunscreen?
When applying sunscreen, always remember the two-finger rule. Apply sunscreen on your two fingers and then on your face, hands, neck, and other body parts that are exposed to the sun. The two-finger rule does not mean you can't have more product if it's not enough. 

2. What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?
Sunscreen: Sunscreen is a chemical product that absorbs UV rays, preventing them from reaching your skin. It's typically lighter and more invisible on the skin, but may need reapplication more often.
Sunblock: Sunblock physically blocks UV rays from reaching your skin by creating a barrier. It tends to be thicker and more noticeable on the skin, often leaving a white residue.

3. Which is better: sunscreen or sunblock?
Sunscreen might be better if you prefer something lighter or need to reapply more often.
Sunblock may be a better choice if you need more robust protection, especially for sensitive skin or for prolonged sun exposure.

Both provide protection, so the choice depends on comfort, skin type, and activity level.