10 Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin in India 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed By Dermatologist

We have ranked some of the available sunscreens for oily skin in the market. Whether you want Ayurvedic or natural, we have got you all. So, check out the products lined down to get some authentic information. 

Dr. Hitaishi Kaushik is a research associate in the dermatology lab at PGIMER, and she holds a Ph.D. in the field of dermatology. You can also reach out to her on Instagram or Facebook.

Sunscreen protects our skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, either by absorbing it or reflecting. It also prevents various potential sun damages like premature aging, wrinkles, tanning, redness, and dark spots.

If used correctly, applying sunscreen can have a magical effect, especially for those who have oily skin. Oily skin is more likely to catch germs and dust, causing pimples or making the skin look greasy. Applying the right sunscreen for oily skin can protect the skin from pollutants and prevent it from getting rashes, giving a brighter and smooth look on your face. 

In this buying guide, we have mentioned all the points that you must know before buying a sunscreen for oily skin like the type, SPF, non-comedogenic, and more. Moreover, there are wide varieties of sunscreens available in the market, selecting one can be difficult. So, explore this article to know more!

There are three common types of forms in a sunscreen; cream or lotion, gel, and spray. Cream-based sunscreens are generally heavier than others and are usually recommended for dry skin as it keeps the skin moisturized and hydrated throughout. 

But if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you must go with gel, fluid, and spray-type sunscreens as they are lighter than cream-based sunscreens and settle down on the skin's surface quickly, giving a non-greasy look. However, do take note that some cream-based sunscreens are for all skin types, so we have recommended all forms of sunscreens in the product recommendations list. 

There are many harmful ingredients like paraben, artificial fragrances, alcohol, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other preservatives to increase the product's shelf-life. These ingredients can harm the skin with allergic reactions, reddening, and some can even cause thyroid; hence, people with sensitive and acne-prone skin should avoid it.

Due to the soaring temperature and increasing pollutants in the atmosphere, having allergic skin is no more unusual. Today, many cosmetics companies are trying to be in sync with all the skin issues people face. If you have allergic skin, we have a solution for you. Look for the word 'Hypoallergenic' on the product and wear sunscreen without fear. 

Get a water-resistant sunscreen if you sweat too much or do water activities. Check the label properly, as it should mention the duration of the effect of sunscreen. 

Most sunscreens give protection for about 45 minutes while swimming or any other water activity. For sweating, they protect for up to 60 minutes. For better results, we recommend you re-apply sunscreen after every 2-3 hours because after towel-wash, the sunscreen comes-off. 

Lastly, do not get confused with water-resistant and waterproof. Some companies use them interchangeably, but they slightly differ. Water-resistant means that the sunscreen will retain the sun protection factor (SPF) for a specified period of 2-3 hours. In contrast, waterproof means that the water will not affect the sunscreen at all.

Non-comedogenic means that the cream won't block the pores while allowing your skin to breathe, keeping it away from breakouts, pimples, and acne. 

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you must check for non-comedogenic sunscreen. Moreover, avoid creams with fragrance and choose ones with a non-greasy formula and has a matte finish so that your face wouldn’t look as oily.

SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a measurement for how long it can delay the burn from the ultraviolet rays if you apply sunscreen. Any product with SPF 30 means it would take 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen. For example, SPF 30 means approximately 300 minutes. After every 5 hours, it will lose the effect, and you will have to re-apply.

If we talk about the level or percentage of protection, SPF 15 filters 93%, and SPF 30 filters 97% of the sun's rays. Also, 90% of the UV rays pass through the clouds and get strongly reflected between 10 am to 2 pm. So, people who are outdoors at this time would want SPF 30 or a higher one to avoid any sun damages, rash, reddening, tanning, and more.

Ever heard about "Broad Spectrum"? It is a safety standard used to measure the protection against UVA and UVB rays of the sun. UVB rays cause sunburn, affect the outer layer and melanin of the skin. 

In contrast, UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin resulting in premature aging and wrinkle line. So, it would be best if you consider sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

1. Sunscreen must be applied regularly even if present indoors (protects from the radiation of phones, computers). 
2. It should be applied at least 10-15 minutes before getting exposed to the sun and after applying a good moisturizer. 
3. If you feel sunscreen is making your skin oily, you can apply some compact powder as well over it. Sunscreen will protect the skin from premature aging, tanning, sunburns, or wrinkles and keep your skin healthy. 
4. Besides sunscreen, goggles, hats, or face covers should also be used, and peak sunlight must be avoided.

If you want to get the know-how on other skin/body care products, then you can always check the articles mentioned below.

Prevention is always better than cure. We can't control the UV rays reaching the surface, but we can protect ourselves from harmful rays. So, it becomes vital for us to prevent our skin from direct sun rays, and to do so, it is essential to choose the right sunscreen. 

Author: Nikhil Deora