For many years sunscreen has been, and of course, in the future, will be considered the primary tool in tackling the skin ageing process. This is because nearly 80% of the signs of ageing that we see externally on the skin are caused by sun exposure. We Indians primarily age by pigmentation rather than wrinkles (appear at a much later stage), as our skin is high in melanin content, which gets triggered easily with sun exposure, leading to sun tan and sun spots. So, using sunscreen in our daily routine becomes highly important to delay premature ageing and age gracefully. Simply put, our skin care routine starts with sunscreen!
Non-nano zinc and non-nano titanium are considered environmentally safe, but only non-nano zinc provides a full spectrum coverage that is needed for Indian skin types. Newer filters like bemotrizinol, bisoctrizole are also considered compatible with the environment. Specifically, there are 10 listed filters that should be avoided when considering reef safety of sunscreens. This is also relevant in view of the current global coral bleaching crisis. It is crucial that we avoid ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene which are causing disastrous harm to our oceanic ecosystems. Also, it is very important to identify and avoid nano forms of zinc and titanium in the sunscreen and use non-nano forms instead as they are environmentally safe.
When it comes to sunscreens, it is good to remember that it is not just about the UV filters, but also its supporting ingredients like microplastics, silicones and fragrances which make a sunscreen non-ecofriendly.
We need a holistic strategy to protect our skin from UV rays and increasing heat waves from climate change. First and foremost, choose a sunscreen that offers high level protection against UV rays, IR rays (heatwaves), HEVL and pollution. We usually recommend a high antioxidant diet with plenty of coloured fruits and vegetables, and this can also be boosted with oral antioxidant supplements like Pycnogenol® and Astaxanthin to provide protection against oxidative damage. Of course, physical sun protection measures should be adopted outdoors, and direct sun exposure during peak hours should be avoided as much as possible.
Another important factor is to look out for pollution induced skin pigmentation, very relevant for cities like Bangalore – would be good to wear sunscreens with antioxidants regularly. Add an exfoliator to your routine as well.
Myth: People with deeper or dusky skin tones don’t need sunscreen.
Fact: This is not true. People with deeper or dusky skin tones are highly susceptible to tan and pigmentation. So, it is essential for them to use sunscreen as well. In fact, we as Indians use sunscreen not for skin cancer prevention (this is very low in our population), but primarily for preventing sun induced pigmentation, which is very common in our skin tones.
Myth: Sunscreen is only for outdoors.
Fact: UV rays, particularly UVA rays can easily penetrate doors and windows and cause photoageing. Additionally, when we are indoors, we are all exposed to artificial visible light (AVL) emitted by smartphones, laptop screens, and more, which can damage the skin further. So, sunscreen is meant for both outdoor and indoor usage.
Myth: Sunscreen causes Vitamin D deficiency.
Fact: Studies show that there is no association between sunscreen usage and vitamin D deficiency. We Indians are inherently vitamin D deficient because of the high melanin content in our skin, which prevents vitamin D synthesis.
When you are considering environmentally safe options for sunscreen, a lot of people want to put sunscreens. If someone is going on a beach holiday, you know you are putting on sunscreen and going into the sea. If you are going snorkeling or scuba diving, people want to use reef-safe formulas these days that do not harm the coral reef or the fish or anything in the water. So, you know that reef-safe sunscreens are sunscreens that are free from UV filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which impact the coral’s health and marine life. So you know if someone wants to use a reef-safe formula, you should use mineral sunscreens which are rich in zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and are considered to be extremely safe, basically reef-safe. Many conventional sunscreens contain a lot of chemicals that can harm marine life, the corals, the reef, the aquatic life, the fish, and everything else in the water. So to protect your skin and prevent causing damage to marine life, it’s better to use a mineral sunscreen.
One can protect the skin from climate change using sunscreens, but apart from that, physical protection is extremely important, such as wearing a hat, wearing goggles, wearing full-sleeve clothes, wearing loose cotton clothes, and avoiding wearing dark-colored clothes. One can wear light-colored clothes because they reflect sunlight. If you’re going swimming, you tend to wear full sleeves or full costumes that have UV protection. You can use waterproof sunscreen if you are going into the water. This is how you can protect yourself from the Sun physically. You can also apply sunscreen every couple of hours and you can reapply the sunscreen. If one contracts an allergy due to the harsh UV rays, they can have oral antioxidants. We now have oral sunscreens too and if someone is having a lot of Sun damage or is really prone to getting Sun allergy, oral sunscreen is a good option as well.
To maximize sun protection, incorporate the following practices into your routine:
- Consistency: Apply sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, to protect against harmful UV rays.
- Reapplication: Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating.
- Adequate Coverage: Use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin areas, including less obvious areas like ears and neck.
- Stay Hydrated: Keep your skin healthy and hydrated to support its natural protective barrier.
- Seek Shade: When possible, stay in shaded areas to reduce direct sun exposure.
Read the full story that first appeared in Deccan Chronicle dated July 16, 2024 here:
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