Sun Protection – Does Oily Skin Need Different Sunscreen?

Sunscreens form an integral part of your skin care regimen. In fact, a little known fact is that regular and consistent use of a sunscreen is essential to ensure the maximum effectiveness of other skin care products like cleansers, tones and moisturizers.

What is SPF?

The SPF rating of a sunscreen is incredibly important. Not only is it the guiding number that you need while choosing a sunscreen for your skin but the SPF number is what denotes the amount of time your can stay in the sun by wearing that product without the risk of getting burned. For example, if you can stay in the sun for about 15 minutes before your skin starts to turn pink, if you apply an SPF 15 sunscreen, you can stay in the sun for 15 x 15 = 225 minutes without getting pink.

In other words, sunscreen protects your skin and amplifies the amount of time you can spend under the sun safely.

However, the SPF rating on sunscreen products only refers to protection from UVB radiation. Therefore, you need to look for a broad spectrum sunscreen that contains UVA-protecting ingredients such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone etc.

How to Find the Right Sunscreen?

Different skin types have different needs and requirements and therefore, they need different types of sun protection as well. However, the challenge is finding the right sunscreen, that doesn't cause any undue skin problems, for yourself!

Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are considered the best sunscreen ingredients because they are skin-friendly and provides excellent protection against the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. however, these ingredients tend to leave a white appearance on the skin feels a little heavy too. This is why many sunscreen products combine titanium dioxide with other sunscreen agents that tends to reduce the amount of potentially irritating ingredients and at the same time decreases the occlusive tendency of titanium dioxide.

Sunscreens for Oily Skin

Finding a sunscreen for oily skin can be extremely challenging. This is primarily because the types of ingredients that can be used to suspend sunscreen agents may not be the best for oily skin. The base formulation of the sunscreen can clog pores and feel greasy on the skin. Moreover, sunscreen ingredients themselves can cause breakouts and acne on the skin.

Product Suggestions:

La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX
This is an excellent Moisturizer + Sunscreen two-in-one! It offers full protection against sunburn and is a great moisturizer. It contains Mexoryl SX which is photostable against UVA rays so it does not breakdown and actually lasts longer than most sunscreens. Is is also the first sunscreen approved by the FDA! It is fragrance and Paba free and does not make your skin pasty! It moisturizes for 24 hours as well. A perfect product for people with oily skin.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid
A great sunscreen formulation that absorbs quickly, feels light and is a powerful broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen. It is also water resistant. The CELL-OX Shield technology has an advanced UV filtering system that lasts longer. It contains Senna Alata, a leaf extract that defends skin cells and other antioxidants to help prevent further skin damage. It has a weightless feeling and is fragrance free and non-comedogenic, making it a perfect choice for oily-skin.

Naomi Andrews is a professional esthetician and skin care expert. She has extensive experience of handling various skin procedures like facials and chemical peels and researches about effective skin care products and cosmetics. She believe sunscreens should be an integral part of all skin care regimens.