Be it an aversion to gloopy sunscreen or the recurring appearance of zits on your face, we’ve got the right sunscreen to tackle most of your skin problems
Every dermatologist will agree: The best sunscreen is the one that you’ll actually use. Year-round, sunscreen is the only effective way to protect skin from cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation, as well as stop premature ageing in its tracks, which is the primary cause of fine lines, discolouration and unevenness. But it’s also the skincare step that people ignore most, because the sunscreens you remember are the ones you applied on sunny beach days, and were likely goopy, thick, white, irritating and took ages to rub in. We put together a list of eight that’ll feel like a pleasure to apply, not a chore, so you don’t have any excuse not to be diligent about the regimen.
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Excuse: Your skin gets tingly, red and irritable
Try: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
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₹ 1,550
This light K-beauty formula won’t leave your skin red or uncomfortable because you barely have to even rub it in. The moisturising cream feels soothing and calming immediately, thanks to rice extract and a probiotic complex—a grain-fermenting lysate helps improve wound healing and barrier repair.
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Excuse: You don’t like a greasy finish
Try: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen
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₹ 1,270
Some sunscreens are formulated with mineral oils, which can leave already oily skin feeling congested, slimy and greasy by the middle of the day. This gel-based sunscreen feels like a serum, and sinks into the skin immediately without leaving any residue on the surface. For it to absorb so easily, alcohol is the second ingredient, but any potential dryness is offset with hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The end result? A jelly-like sunscreen that feels like a splash of cold icy water on a warm summer day.
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Excuse: You hate a sticky white cast
Try: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
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₹ 2,865
Many sunscreens are not formulated with darker skin tones in mind, so those with physical blockers like zinc and titanium dioxide can end up making your skin look chalky and ghostly. This gel-like sunscreen goes on completely clear and sinks into the skin in 2-3 minutes, and is then totally undetectable all day (thanks to its chemical filters, instead of physical ones that reflect the light). The invisible coverage protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays, and even acts as a shield against blue light from your laptop or phone.
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Excuse: You hate when sunscreen makes your make-up application uneven
Try: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
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₹ 3,813
Most foundations don't have the SPF you need to properly protect your skin (because you use too little of it), but this super lightweight three-in-one formula serves as a moisturiser, base product and SPF, and you can layer it on without dealing with patchiness, cakiness or goopy pilling.
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Excuse: Your acne-prone skin doesn’t fare well with sunscreen
Try: Fae Beauty Juice Sunscreen
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₹ 600
If an oil-based sunscreen is irritating your already congested skin, this water-based one is a better pick. It has chemical filters—like avobenzone—which contain organic compounds that catalyse a chemical reaction when exposed to the sun. This reaction transforms UV rays into heat which then dissipates into the skin. But when you apply this watery sunscreen, it’ll just feel cool and comfortable.
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Excuse: You’re worried about the environmental impact
Try: Thinksport Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen
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₹ 4,955
Research suggests that 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen ends up in the seas annually, and if you’re worried about the impact it has on marine life and reefs, pick a mineral sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are commonly used because they absorb UV light and render it ineffective. Look to formulas with a larger particle size, as they are likely safer than tiny nano-particles that may be absorbed by coral reefs. This one contains non-nano zinc oxide that creates a protective layer against UVA and UVB rays, and is water-resistant, making it perfect for days hanging out by the beach.
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Excuse: You hate reapplying
Try: iS Clinical PerfecTint Powder SPF 40
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₹ 7,700
Once you’ve applied sunscreen in the morning, it can be annoying to reapply in the afternoon and mess up your base application underneath. But reapplying doesn’t have to be a task anymore, especially if your SPF is helping your make-up application set even better. Just run the brush over your face and decolletage every two hours for best results—it delivers just the right amount of broad spectrum coverage while minimising the appearance of pores and absorbing surface oil.
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Excuse: You hate the dull finish you get from pre-makeup sunscreen use
Try: Tatcha Silk Sunscreen
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₹ 4,770
This sunscreen is a mineral-based one, but since it’s tinted, it doesn’t leave any hint of a white cast. It is chock-full of skincare ingredients that goes well beyond sun protection—hyaluronic acid hydrates, while fibroin (an element in silk extract) helps repair skin cells and balance moisture levels. Niacinamide also balances and brightens, leaving your skin velvety, glowy and lit-from-within.
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