Beauty Station · Skincare Edit
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin Type
The best sunscreen isn't universal — it's the one that works for your skin. Here's how to find yours.
Start with the basics
SPF Rating
SPF 30 blocks ~97% of UVB rays; SPF 50 blocks ~98%. For daily city use, SPF 30 is enough. For long outdoor exposure, go SPF 50+.
Broad-Spectrum
Always choose broad-spectrum — protection against both UVA rays (ageing) and UVB rays (burning). Non-negotiable on any label.
Mineral
Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sit on skin and deflect UV. Gentle and ideal for sensitive skin — can leave a white cast on deeper tones.
Chemical
Absorbs UV and converts it to heat. Lightweight and cosmetically invisible — may irritate reactive or sensitive skin types.
By skin type
Look for
Gel or water-based
Oil-free
Non-comedogenic
Matte finish
Niacinamide
Avoid
Heavy creams
Coconut oil base
"Ultra-moisturising"
Try lightweight SPF 50 gel sunscreens or tinted fluid formulas that double as a primer.
Look for
Cream or lotion
Hyaluronic acid
Ceramides
Squalane
Dewy finish
Avoid
Matte formulas
Alcohol-heavy
Japanese sunscreen lotions are exceptional for dry skin — hydrating and never greasy.
Look for
Fluid or lotion
Natural finish
Hybrid formulas
SPF 30–50
Avoid
Ultra-matte
Heavy creams
Hybrid mineral-chemical SPF fluids balance oily and dry zones without over-loading either.
Look for
Mineral only
Fragrance-free
Centella asiatica
Aloe vera
Short ingredients list
Avoid
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Artificial fragrance
Essential oils
Baby mineral sunscreens are among the cleanest formulas — often the gentlest choice for reactive skin.
Look for
Chemical filters
Tinted mineral
Micronised zinc oxide
Iron oxides
Sheer finish
Avoid
Untinted mineral
White cast formulas
Tinted SPF 50 fluids with iron oxides also guard against visible light — a bonus for preventing hyperpigmentation.
Look for
Hydrating cream
Antioxidants
SPF 50
Peptides
Luminous finish
Avoid
Powder/matte finish
High alcohol
Moisturiser-sunscreen hybrids with vitamin C and peptides protect and treat in a single step.
Golden rules — for every skin type
1
Use enough. Most people apply only half the needed amount. Use roughly a teaspoon for face, neck, and ears.
2
Apply last in your morning routine, before makeup — always after serums and moisturiser.
3
Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors. No sunscreen lasts all day without reapplication.
4
Never skip cloudy days. Up to 80% of UV rays penetrate through cloud cover year-round.
5
Don't forget your neck, ears, and hands — they age just as fast as your face and are just as exposed.
The bottom line
The right sunscreen is the one you'll actually wear every single day. It should feel good on your skin, suit your lifestyle, and never feel like a compromise.
Take your skin type seriously when choosing a formula — because the best SPF 50 in the world is useless if you stop using it after a week.
