At the risk of sounding like a broken record, yes you do need UV protection all year round. Be it raining be it cloudy and of course, when the sun is out and about in all its glory.

Sunscreens are essential to prevent sunburns, reduce the risk of skin cancer and combat early signs of aging.

Everyone needs sunscreens irrespective of race, age, gender or lifestyle. Meanwhile, staying in shade, avoiding tanning beds and wearing protective clothing will all help with UV protection, a good sunscreen that matches the following criteria remains essential:

• Is Broad Spectrum – Protects against UVA and UVB rays both
• At least has a SPF of 30
• Is Water Resistant

General recommendation regarding the application of sunscreen is to apply 15 minutes before you go out in the sun and reapply every 2 hours. Depending on whether you are swimming or sweat more, you can and should reapply even more often.

The same goes for the SPF rating. Just because the SPF rating of a particular sunscreen is high, it does not mean that you can get away with less reapplication. A higher SPF just means that the sunscreen is effective at blocking more UV rays and not for longer.

While sunscreens block UV rays to protect you, you can still get a tan from wearing them. The process is just slower. Moreover, sunscreens also lower the absorption rate of Vitamin D which means that you need to take the essential vitamin via other sources, including supplements.

Sunscreens, nowadays, are available in a number of kinds now ranging from creams to gels and sticks to sprays. A cream or lotion formula is better for dry skin while gel works more for oily skin and hairy areas. Sticks are perfect for around the eyes if you are looking for an exclusive sunscreen for the eyes. Sprays work better for children since they are quick to apply.

All these types of sunscreens will work equally well unless you don’t apply properly. For example, if you are haphazardly spraying the sunscreen all over your body, of course you won’t have the same level of protection as when you massage a cream or gel in.

There are also two types of sunscreens based on their ingredients: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that work by creating a barrier on your skin and absorbing the UV rays. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by blocking and reflecting the UV rays. This is why physical sunscreens, the ones containing Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, create a chalky white cast on the skin.

Again, regardless of the type of sunscreen that you use, you still need reapplication regularly. Once you have the sunscreen on, you can further amp up your sun protection using makeup.

Almost all makeup items nowadays have built-in SPF in them to add another layer of protection to your skin. But remember, these makeup items alone do not provide enough protection and hence, should only be used in conjunction with the actual sunscreen.

Here are our top recommendations from our favorite sunscreen brand Coola for almost every type of sunscreen you are looking for:

For Acne-Prone Skin

If you have acne prone skin and you are using it as an excuse to skip sunscreen, you need a lightweight moisturizer that doubles up as a sunscreen to protect yourself from UV rays.

Give COOLA – SPF 30 Face Classic Moisturizing Sunscreen Cucumber a try. This hypoallergenic  sunscreen contains ingredients like Rose Hip to stimulate new tissue growth, Comfrey to target inflammation and Clove and Bergamot Extracts to provide calming, antiseptic properties.

For Oily Skin

If you have oily skin and your sunscreens are making it more greasy, try one with a matte finish like COOLA – Face SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Cucumber Matte Finish.

Fortified with organic shea butter, cucumber extracts, and phyto-protectors like plankton that naturally enhance SPF protection, this sunblock mimics skin lipids and revitalizes your skin naturally while providing UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection.

For Priming Makeup

If you are someone with a minimal beauty routine, you can skip a step by using a two-in-product that acts like both the sunscreen for your skin and a primer for your makeup.

COOLA – Dawn Patrol SPF 30 Classic Primer provides a multitasking base for radiant skin and flawless makeup application. The primer not only protects your skin from UV rays but ensures that your skin looks fresh all day long.

For Working Out

If you are looking for a no makeup look with a light weight feel for your work out sessions, opt for a tinted moisturizer or a BB cream that provides UV protection like COOLA – Rosilliance SPF 30 BB+ Cream.

The skin perfecting tinted moisturizer helps boost your naturally luminescent glow and support fresh, healthy-looking skin with the mineral broad spectrum SPF 30 formula offering a barely-there feel and a sheer tinted coverage blends and perfects your skin tone.

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For Aging Skin

If you have mature skin and you are looking for an added anti-aging benefit from your sunscreen, you will absolutely love a product like COOLA – Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum.

The serum contains a potent blend of Argan Oil, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and plant stem cell cultures leaves skin feeling smooth, hydrated and glowing. The product provides anti-aging benefits while giving your skin a gradual glowing tan that lasts up to 3 days.

For Lips

According to dermatologists, lips are the most ignored area of the skin while applying SPF, making it also the most dangerous area for skin cancer. This is why it is recommended to use lip balms with SPF to protect your lips the same way as you do your skin.

COOLA Mineral Liplux SPF 30 offers 6 different colors in a hydrating formula to boost your lip’s natural moisture and help improve the appearance of aging and thinning skin all the while providing UV protection.

For Body

If you are looking a for a quick application on the go, pick a body spray sunscreen like COOLA Classic Body SPF 30 Pina Colada Sunscreen Spray.

If you think you will miss out on proper application while using the spray, use a sunscreen like COOLA Total Body SPF 30 Plumeria and massage it in properly for ultimate level of UV protection.

For Makeup Meltdown

If the hot weather makes you fear a makeup meltdown, rendering all your beauty and sun protection efforts useless, opt for a makeup setting spray like COOLA Face SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray that gives your makeup a matte finish and keeps it looking fresh all day long.

The product also works to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

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