The Absolute Best Summer Sunscreens For Healthy, Glowy Skin

Do you apply sunscreen every day? Congratulations. Do you re-apply it every few hours? Pat yourself on the back. Have you swapped your winter sunscreen with a lighter formula for summer? Didn’t think so! Well, ICYDK, your favourite bottle of sunscreen might not be best for the hot summer days ahead. As summer is fast approaching, your face starts to get a lot more sun - we know it makes for good selfies - but the way your skin functions start to change as well. It’s time to let go of your thick and creamy formulas from the winter and move towards lightweight, gel sunscreens for summer.

While you prepare for travel, beach days, and summer Fridays, we are here to help you find your SPF soulmate for summer. To get the ball rolling, we’ve rounded up the best summer sunscreens money can buy!

10 Best Sunscreen for Summer, Hands Down!

It’s that time of the year when we all love to sip on those chilled drinks by the pool. But, again, it’s that time of the year when we also have to bear the fast-approaching sun. Most conventional sunscreens melt away little by little as you sweat, making them less effective at protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. To lend a helping hand, we are listing down the best sunscreens for summer.

1. MyGlamm Superfood Kiwi & Coconut Sunscreen

We’ve had so many people tell us that they don’t wear sunscreen because they can't wear it under makeup. Excuses! Here’s a coveted sunscreen for summer that not only feels amazing on the skin, but also acts as a primer and will make your makeup look even better! The formula will keep your skin moisturised while SPF 30 Pa++ will protect your skin from the sun.

2. MyGlamm Superfoods Cacao & Berries Day Cream With SPF

If there were a competition for sunscreen brands, MyGlamm would get the gold. What makes this summer sunscreen so special is its hydrating, cooling consistency. It’s not thick, white, or goopy whatsoever. It gives the skin a healthy sheen complete with SPF 25. Plus, it’s laced with hyaluronic acid and sunflower oil to keep your skin plump and glowy.

3. MyGlamm’s POPxo Glow Goals Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 30 PA+++30G

If you’re a woman who is a sunscreen fan & likes to achieve radiantly glowing skin, this one’s for you! Enriched with natural ingredients, this sunscreen provides up to 5 hours of protection, gives healthy skin and boosts skin radiance. Best part? It feels non-sticky on the skin!

4.St. Botanica Vitamin C SPF 75 Dry-Touch Sunscreen

Hate the post-ghost-look after applying sunscreen? This magic potion is designed to hide the white cast. We love this quick-absorbing summer sunscreen for lightweight, yet serious protection. It’s also loaded with powerhouse ingredients such as Vitamins C, E, green tea, and aloe vera to minimise pores and fine lines. Plus, retinol helps to revitalise dull, tired-looking skin.

Price: Rs.639

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5. Organic Harvest Sunscreen - SPF 50

If you’re looking for a holy-grail summer sunscreen that’s perfect for beach days, outdoor runs, and pool days, then may we introduce you to your new BFF? This sunscreen is not super pricey and it’s water-resistant as well as sweat-resistant so you don’t have to reapply it every 30 mins in the scorching heat. Stock up on this organic formula before you hit the beach!

Price: Rs.465

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6. The Moms Co. Mineral-Based Sunscreen

Here’s one of our face sunscreens for summer. This insanely lightweight formula literally melts into the skin like water - no white cast or tugging your skin here! The sunscreen is packed with raspberry oil and carrot seed oil to deeply hydrate thirsty skin making it plump and dewy. This sunscreen is basically our fast-track ticket to glass skin. We’re obsessed!

Price: Rs.379

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7. The Moms Co. Natural Daily Sunscreen

If you’re looking for a natural daily sunscreen that can take your skincare game a level up, this one’s for you! Infused with natural magical ingredients, this daily sunscreen feels lightweight & non-sticky on the skin, protects the skin, prevents redness & dark spots and soothes the skin too. Best part? It gives an SPF of 45+ and leaves no white cast.

₹266

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8. Organic Harvest’s All Skin SPF 60 Sunscreen

If there’s a sunscreen that deserves a special mention for the ingredients in it, it’s this one for sure! The ingredients in this sunscreen range from Kakadu plum, and acai berry to chia seeds. This sunscreen treats your skin right, protects the skin(both indoors & outdoors), and gives a smooth finish application.

₹356

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9. Organic Harvest’s Sunscreen With SPF 60

This magic sunscreen is infused with ingredients like olive oil, tamarind seed extracts, etc. This is an amazing SPF 60 sunscreen that keeps your skin hydrated, protects from harmful UV rays, & gives long-lasting protection. Best part? It’s certified organic free from parabens, minerals, etc.

₹521

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10. St. Botanica’s Aloe Vera, Cucumber, & Green Tea SPF 50

Packed with the natural goodness of aloe vera, cucumber, green tea, watermelon, etc. this sunscreen protects the skin from harmful sun rays, nourishes the skin and keeps the skin healthy. Get your hands on this sunscreen & beat the heat.

₹599

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How To Select Sunscreen For Summer

SPF is the most crucial part when it comes to buying sunscreen for summer. SPF refers to the ability of a sunscreen to block ultraviolet B rays which causes sunburns. Plus, the SPF rating is the measure of the time it would take to get you sunburnt if you were not wearing sunscreen as opposed to the time it would take when you have your sunscreen on. So the higher the SPF, the longer it would take for your skin to develop a sunburn. So if you’re wearing SPF 50, it would take 50 times more time to get burnt than without the sunscreen.

If you’re buying a sunscreen, anything with PA+++ offers high protection and is good enough. Check if the sunscreen is waterproof and sweat-proof as they’re best for sweltering days. If you have acne-prone skin, it’s important to check if the product is non-comedogenic. The term non-comedogenic is labeled on all skincare products that are tested and proven to cause none-to-minimal pore blockage. They are less likely to clog pores, hence resulting in lower chances of breakouts. As we know there are two types of sun rays i.e., UVA and UVB. UVA rays are responsible for causing age spots and wrinkles while UVB causes burning. Broad-spectrum sunscreens provide protection against both kinds. The measure of UVA is the PA rating that is determined by the plus signs and the UVB is measured in SPF aka sun protection factor. Keep these tips handy while picking up sunscreen for summer.

FAQ

Which sunscreen do dermatologists recommend?

Dermatologists recommend using an SPF of at least 30 or higher. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays. Products with higher SPF numbers block slightly more of the sun’s rays, but no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun’s UVB rays.

Is sunscreen necessary in summer?

Applying sunscreen every day is key to maintaining healthy skin all year round. Keep in mind to apply an SPF even in winter, when you’re indoors or even when it's cloudy. 

Can I use SPF 30 in summer?

Yes. Products with higher SPF don’t give you more protection. However, higher SPF products are only marginally better at warding off UVB rays, according to both EWG and the Skin Cancer Foundation. SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB radiations, SPF 50 blocks about 98%, and SPF 100 blocks about 99% of UVB rays.

Which is the safest and the most effective sunscreen?

Experts recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. In addition to that, it’s best to opt for formulas that are non-comedogenic as comedogenic formulas can clog pores. Thus, increasing the chances for a potential breakout. Also, keep in mind to avoid ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and phthalates in your sunscreen formulas.

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Sunscreen types: Physical Vs chemical sunscreens - everything you need to know about the different types of SPF formulas.

5 things to look for before you buy sunscreen: Here, we decode some of that important jargon and tell you exactly what to look for in the sunscreen you carry along, on your day(s) out in the sun.

Everything you need to know about applying sunscreens: Read on to know the amount of sunscreen you should apply every day along with the correct way of applying it.

Snag the best sunscreens for summer before they sell out!