Sunscreen is not an inconspicuous mystery now, because each of you must have heard of this term. It has become a crucial part of our lives. Sunscreen is essential to protect our skin from harmful sun rays, other environmental aggressors like pollution and premature aging.
Today you can see various types of sunscreen present in the market formulated according to skin types i.e oily skin , dry skin etc or on the basis of different levels of UV filtration and SPF.
One of these types is gel based sunscreens. Gel sunscreen for oily skin is one of the innovative formulae which solve the major issues that came up by using cream sunscreens earlier, especially with oily skin type. Gel-based sunscreen for oily skin is a blessing.
1. What is oily skin type?
People with oily skin face many issues while tackling their skin problems. The oily and acne prone skin type involves excessive sebum production and the problem of open pores. These two problems make it difficult for people to choose accurate and appropriate skincare products. Sunscreens are also one of them.
2. What is sunscreen?
Sunscreens are the skincare products manufactured to protect skin from the harmful environmental aggressors i.e. sun rays by absorption, reflection, or dispersion.
The sunscreen is found with an SPF number, which decides to which extent your sunscreen can protect you from sun rays. FDA recommended that all sunscreens must contain the SPF label.
"The FDA recommendations involve use of at least SPF 15 to SPF 80 in a sunscreen"
However, it doesn't mean a higher number of SPF provides higher protection. By applying sunscreen in the proper way, you can get the benefits with SPF of a lower number. The SPF 30 - 50 are best to apply.
However, SPF partially protects our skin from the sun as it only protects us from UVB rays. FDA also warns regarding the protection against UVA rays.
"UVA rays deeply affects the collagen and elastin fibres, affect skin elasticity and cause wrinkles and fine lines"
Other than these factors, pollutants and blue light are also the other issues from which your skin needs protection. For that, you need a broad spectrum sunscreen.
"Broad-spectrum sunscreens are embedded with blue light and pollutants protectant ingredients along with SPF and PA factors, which dispense overall protection to your skin"
You can find these broad-spectrum sunscreens in various types and formulations in the market on the basis of many factors. Let's explore these a little deeply.
3. Types of sunscreen
The types of sunscreen can either be based upon UV filters used in the sunscreen preparation or as per the choice of vehicle.
Let's explore in deep about every type:
SUNSCREENS TYPES BASED ON UV FILTERS:
UV filters are those agents that have the power to reflect, absorb, or disperse the UV rays. These can either be inorganic or organic.
Inorganic UV filters, also known as physical sunscreen, acts as a shield and reflect a major part of the radiation. The most common examples of inorganic UV filters are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Organic filters or chemical sunscreens are the agents that absorb and transform the harmful rays into harmless ones. These filters further can be differentiated into UVA filters, UVB filters, or UVA+UVB filters.
"FDA has approved in total 16 UV filters to be used as sunscreen till now"
SUNSCREEN TYPES BASED ON CHOICE OF VEHICLE
The choice of correct vehicle is very important for the efficacy, adherence, and stability of the molecule. These include creams/lotions, gels, oils, mousse, gel-creams, sticks, and sprays.
Out of these which do you think is the best formulation for an oily skin type?
4. Best sunscreen for oily skin
Out of all the sunscreen formulations, gel-based or water based sunscreen or oil free sunscreen for oily skin is the most appropriate one due to its lightweight, non-sticky formulas.
5. Benefits of gel sunscreen for oily skin
Let's explore the benefits of gel sunscreen for people with oily skin in india in depth:
The gel-based formulas contain fewer emollients and are lightweight and water-based formulations that protect your skin without lifting any heavily loaded textures behind.
Gels are water-based, hence doesn't cause any stickiness after application. This improves your facial aesthetics and beauty. Moreover, in the days of summer, this feature of sunscreen gel provides intense felicity.
Gel sunscreens are of Non Comedogenic nature. Gels don't clog your pores, hence prevent your skin from breakouts and acne.
Gels provide a long-lasting non-sticky soothing effect that calms your skin and doesn't cause any irritation.
This is another feature of gel sunscreens that make it a perfect candidate for oily skin type. Gels don't initiate excessive oil production. It helps to maintain an adequate balance of natural skin oils and keep skin moisturized.
Dispense adequate hydration
Along with protecting adequate natural oils of the skin, gels also provide deep hydration and leaves your skin fresh and young.
The gel-based formula leaves a dense film on the skin, which helps to provide stronger photoprotection from the sun rays.
The gel sunscreens on application spread thoroughly and make a great shield against environmental aggressors.
6. How to apply sunscreen gel for better results?
The right application of sunscreen is very important to get better results.
"According to a survey, many people apply the sunscreen quantity less than the amount used for SPF determination"
The very first thing is the application of the right amount of sunscreen to get full protection. To get the correct idea, use the teaspoon formula of applying sunscreen.
- 1 teaspoon for the overall head, face, and neck.
- 1 teaspoon each to the hands and arms.
- 1 teaspoon each to the front and the back torso
- 2 teaspoons each to the lower extremities i.e. hip to toes
- Total: 9 teaspoons for the whole body
Follow this rule and apply to the parts you need protection.
The other very essential factor is the reapplication of sunscreen.
"According to research, applying sunscreen 15 minutes before going out, followed by full reapplication within the first hour of sun exposure helps to obtain significant coverage"
Also, don't forget to reapply sunscreen after swimming, towelling, or heavy perspiration.
7. Which is the best gel sunscreen in India?
The next important question is where you can find the best gel sunscreen in India.
Derma Essentia advanced SPF 50 gel-based sunscreen is one of the best gel-based sunscreens for oily skin and other skin types you can find in India. It is a broad spectrum gel sunscreen with nanotechnology formula and skin-friendly ingredients. This sunscreen is lightweight matte finish with good spreadability and broad protection against UVA, UVB, IR rays, and pollution. Click and explore its features and ready your mind to keep this in your skincare box.
1. Is there any side effect of gel sunscreen?
Sometimes, people with extremely sensitive skin can get allergic reactions to any particular ingredient of the product. People with sensitive skin should buy the sunscreen after doing the patch test. Also, protect your eyes from the product. It is for external use and getting into eyes, the sunscreen can cause pain and irritation.
2. Is it important to apply sunscreen on cloudy days?
You must apply sunscreen in every weather and season. It might be the possibility that UV rays are less aggressive on cloudy days than a clear day. But, the rays can filter from clouds and exert more detrimental effects.
Also, your skin not only needs protection from sun rays but also from pollution. So, I must wear sunscreen while going out.
3. People with dark or olive skin don't require sunscreens?
It is entirely a myth. Such skin colours don’t get easily affected by tan or burn but receive and absorb the same quantity of sun rays as other skin colours. This may lead to severe adverse outcomes. Therefore, people with dark or olive skin should also go for sunscreen every day.
4. How to choose other skin care products for oily skin type?
Always remember to choose those products which can control excessive sebum production, provides a matte look, and can clear or unclogged the pores. To know more regarding oily skincare products, click here.