Sunscreen: It's time to find your perfect match

If you have oily skin  

"If you’ve always thought of sunscreen as being greasy, you’ve just been using the wrong one," says beauty editor Leigh van den Berg. “There are many feather-light formulations that won’t feel any different to a daily moisturiser ,and many even magnify thanks to oil-absorbing ingredients”. Also, a note to those who are prone to spots and blemishes: “Unprotected sun exposure causes inflammation that aggravates acne. In this case, choose an oil-free formulation that includes pore-clearing salicylic acid. Vichy’s sunscreen for acne-prone skin fits the bill.” 

If you have dry skin  

When it comes to choosing a moisturiser for dry skin, the key isn’t to look for something thick or heavy, but to find a lightweight formulation that contains heavy-weight hydrators, says van den Berg. “Apply the same ethos when you’re choosing a sunscreen by picking a silky, easily-absorbed texture that contains mega-moisturisers like hyaluronic acid, lipids and non-greasy oils like jojoba,” she says. “Hyaluronic acid is a miracle worker for dry, dehydrated skin because it can attract and hold a hundred times its weight in water, plumping up your skin from the inside out.”   

If you have sensitive skin  

Play it safe and look out for sunscreens that specifically state they’re formulated for sensitive skin, says van den Berg. “They’ll be free of potentially irritating ingredients like fragrances, colourants, essential oils and menthol.” She also suggests you consider opting for a mineral sunscreen that’ll sit on the surface of your skin and create a physical UV barrier as opposed to a chemical one - as the latter has to be absorbed by your skin, it can cause a reaction in those prone to inflammation. 

If you’re pigmentation-prone  

“Just a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure can undo months’ of progress using a pigmentation-inhibiting product”, says van den Berg. “Your ideal sunscreen will have an SPF of 50 and, better yet contain pigmentation-mimimising ingredients like licorice root extract and niacinamide”. Also, if you have existing pigmentation that makes you feel self-conscious, she suggests you try a sunscreen with a tint to add a touch of coverage.  

If you’re an action hero   

If you’re exercising outdoors or spending time in water, you’ll need a sweat and water-resistant sunscreen. Still, don’t think that just because something has a little more staying power that you don’t have to reapply. “If you’ve worked up a big sweat in a short space of time or just climbed out of the water, you’ll want to reapply it. Otherwise, the rule of reapplying every two hours – as you’d do with any other type of sunscreen – still applies,” says van den Berg.  

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com