Greet Summer with Sunscreen! Get the 10 Best Face Creams with Sunscreen in Stores Right Now! (2020)

We often come across the term UV rays especially when it comes to facial creams. We have a vague idea about it to the extent that we know that UV rays are harmful to us and we must protect ourselves from it. Well, that is correct but that is not all there is regarding UV rays, and delving deeper into a subject to know more won't hurt. It will only help in better understanding your skincare regime. Keeping that in mind, let us try to understand UV rays in more detail.

To begin with, UV rays are electromagnetic radiation emitting from the sun. Though the sun is the natural source of this radiation yet man-made objects like tanning beds, welding torches also emit UV rays.

What is radiation? Well, radiation is energy emitting from a particular source. We are exposed to many radiations in our daily lives like radio waves, x- rays, UV rays etc. Some radiations are low energy while some are of high energy. UV rays tend to fall in the middle of this energy scale. UV rays can be divided into 3 main groups based on the amount of energy it possesses. They are UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA rays have the least energy, UVB rays consist of more energy than UVA while UVC has the highest amount of energy.

The UV protection is pertinent, as UV rays no matter the type, cause acute damage to our bodies. UVA rays have the least amount of energy but it is linked with the ageing of skin cells and indirect damage to skin’s DNA. Some dermatologists believe that UVA rays are also responsible for skin cancers. UVB rays cause direct damage to DNA present in skin cells and are the culprit behind the most type of skin cancers. Sunburns are caused by it. UVC is the most damaging because of its high energy content but thankfully this causes UVC to react with ozone and none of this harmful ray reaches the Earth’s surface. 90% of UVB too is absorbed by the ozone. On the flip side, environmental pollution is depleting the ozone layer, gradually perforating this life-saving blanket thus making UV protection all the more necessary. Let us look into detail some of the negative effects of UV rays:

Sunburn is a burn on our skin caused by the absorption of energy from UV rays. This absorption damages the skin cells on the affected area, which triggers the extra blood flow in an attempt to repair it. This causes the skin to go red in that area. Sunbathers on the beach are most likely to get sunburns. Prolonged exposure to the hot sun while on an outing at the beach will, more likely than not, give painful sunburns.

UV rays top the list of carcinogens that are present in our environment. So it should come as no surprise that it is the leading cause of skin cancer. Research shows that 90% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. There are three main types of skin cancers namely melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Strong evidence suggests that UV rays are responsible for each of these types.

This might come as a surprise to most of you but this is, unfortunately, a fact. Our body has a natural defence system that protects us from many harmful and life-threatening diseases. The skin is a part of that system as it is semi-permeable and does not allow any harmful germs and viruses to penetrate it. As each day passes, health professionals are finding more and more evidence that suggests that UV rays alter immune system functioning. It has been found that UV rays suppress immune responses of our body which leads to diminishing the body’s ability to fight diseases effectively. This makes us more susceptible to skin cancers and other harmful diseases.

UV rays seem to be not at all benign. It has a negative effect on almost every part of our body, even the eyes. Cataract is an eye disorder that is characterized by the crystalline lens changing structure. This results in blurred vision and even blindness. In fact, it has been found that people who spend more time outdoors, under the sun are more likely to develop cataracts earlier than those who don’t. Hence, it is recommended that those whose occupations require them to stay outdoors for a longer period of time use UV sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat for protection. The other eye defects suspected to be caused by prolonged exposure to sun rays are retinal tissue damage, corneal sunburn and growths on the outer surface of the eye.

I hope we convinced you that it is highly important that you protect yourself from the harmful UV rays. We cannot keep staying indoors as we have places to go nor is it feasible to cover every inch of our skin. What we can do is to ensure we apply a sunscreen cream or lotion before exposing ourselves to the sun. There are hundreds of products out there that have varying levels of SPF in them to give effective protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Most of these products are not exclusively sunscreen alone. Many of them are formulas that include skincare along with sun protection properties. With so many choices and varieties, it becomes difficult to choose the right sunscreen product. What constitutes these formulas? Is it suitable for all skin types? Are they made with organic materials? These are some of the questions that hover in your mind when buying sunscreens. Well, it is time that you give those thoughts a rest as here is the BP Guide for 10 best face creams with sunscreen. Go through it to find the right one for you:

This is a 2 in 1 moisturizer where your facial skin gets both deep nourishment and protection from the sun. The formula consists of milk and peach extracts that provide deep nourishment and locks moisture for as much as 12 hours. So your skin looks hydrated and fresh for most of the day. The formula also has SPF 24 which provides potent protection against the harmful UV rays. After cleaning your face thoroughly with a face wash, pat dry and dot the cream on your face. Gently massage the moisturizer on your skin. 200 ml of this moisturizer costs Rs. 350 at Nykaa.

This moisturizer is the most versatile product available in the market. The formula is such that it is a moisturizer, a sunblock and a skin lightener, all in the same package. So essentially it’s your daily skin routine in one tube. The revolutionary sunscreen formula of SPF 40 provides protection from a wide spectrum of UVA and UVB rays but at the same time, the cream is not greasy so it does not make the face look oily. It has a clean and light feel after applying. The skin lightening properties gives an even, matte look. Apply the cream liberally on your face, neck and shoulders before going out in the sun. It costs Rs. 395 at Nykaa.

This is a 2 in 1 cream that is both an anti-ageing cream and a sunscreen. The formula infuses the groundbreaking Gineplex Youth Compound along with a variety of other natural ingredients. The formula also does not contain any preservatives. It accelerates lifting and firming of the skin and reduces wrinkles. The SPF 25 in the formula protects the skin against sun damage. It comes at a price of Rs. 675 at Nykaa.

This is a very potent sunscreen from the house of Lakme. With SPF 50, this cream provides a wide spectrum UVA and UVB protection and blocks up to 97% of harmful sun rays. The texture of the cream is non-greasy, non-sticky and it feels light. So it doesn’t give off an oily look after application and doesn’t feel oppressive especially during hot summer months. Apply dots of this cream on your forehead, cheeks and chin and massage gently until the whole face is covered. Do this before going out and you don’t have to worry about the skin anymore. 100 ml of this product costs Rs. 475 at Nykaa.

If you want your skin to be nurtured along with protection from the harmful sun rays, then look no further than this lotion. The formula is rich in nutrients and consists of pure sandalwood, saffron, wheat germ, honey and Arjun tree bark extracts. It keeps the skin moisturised, soft and fair. Moreover, the lotion has SPF 50 that provides protection from a wide spectrum of UVA and UVB rays. Another feature of this lotion is that it is water-resistant and can retain SPF even after 80 minutes in water. So this is your perfect companion for a day out on the beach. 50 ml of this lotion costs Rs. 200 at Amazon India.

This is another water-resistant gel that is a potent sunscreen as well. It comes from the house of VLCC and is a long-lasting sunscreen whose formula consists of carrot and olive oil extracts, Niacinamide and Ceramide III. The SPF 60 makes it perfect for application when going out for outdoor sports or other activities that require you to be exposed to sun rays for a long period of time. The water-resistant feature makes it suitable for even water sports or a day at the beach or outdoor swimming pool. Apply it liberally 20 minutes before going out for the best results. A 100 gm tube costs Rs. 495 at Amazon India.

Pond's is a household name in India when it comes to skin creams for their trustworthy and effective formulas. So there is no doubt about this sunblock and we are sure that it is going to give satisfactory results. This sun protection cream has an SPF 50 which is more than potent to give protection from harmful UV rays. The cream is non-oily thus giving off a fresh and clean look after application. It is suitable for all skin types. 35g of this product comes at a price of Rs. 169 at Flipkart.

This is a herbal sunblock cream from the house of Jovees. The cream formula consists of anjeer and carrot extracts that moisturizes the skin and improves the texture of the skin. Besides, it has SPF 45 which provides protection from UVA and UVB rays. The plus point is that this sun protection formula does not make the skin sweaty and oily after application thus giving off a fresh look. It is suitable for all skin types. After cleansing your face with a face wash, apply this cream gently and massage for the best results. 100g of this product costs Rs. 325 at Flipkart.

This is an organic sunscreen that provides the most intense protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. The formula consists of extracts of basil, coconut oil, aloe vera, yashad bhasma and tender coconut water. Thus, this ayurvedic concoction infuses organic, natural elements to give you a product that is both nourishing to the skin and provides protection from the harmful rays of the sun. It does not only hydrate the skin but also prevents the skin from getting affected by UVA and UVB rays. The basil leaf extract in the fluid protects the skin from environmental stressors and the SPF 50 provides protection for up to 6 hours. 50 ml of this bottle costs Rs. 975 at Forest Essentials India.

The Soundarya Radiance cream is a perfect blend of luxury and intensive skincare. This ayurvedic formula consists of natural, organic elements that give lustrous, firm, elastic, smooth and flawless skin. It consists of extracts of saffron, ghee and liquorice. There is another element in the concoction that gives a golden sheen to your skin and earn the “luxury” tag of the product. This element is 24K gold bhasma. Overall, this day cream provides deep moisturizing, improves elasticity, prevents collagen depletion, and the SPF 25 protects from the detrimental effects of UVA and UVB rays. 50 grams of this product costs Rs. 4,800 at Forest Essentials India.