Wearing sunscreen everyday has swiftly become a badge of honour. There’s almost a gasp in the air if you’re in conversation with someone, and they mention that they’re not diligent with their SPF usage. And it doesn’t stop at simply applying it once in the morning. Reapplication is just as important, and local and international brands have entered the chat to make each of these steps easier and more pleasurable. We got rid of the thick goopy formulas a few years ago but that’s not the only sunscreen win today. There’s a multitude of sunscreens for every skin type, texture preference and even skin concern, featuring active ingredients as well, to offer more than just protection.
The coolest innovations in the space have come in the form of sunscreen serums and reapplication mists, and we have Korean formulators to thank for leading these innovations. They have a light, watery and milky texture, and often active ingredients typical of serums, along with sun protection properties. Reapplication mists are becoming almost as light as those thermal spring water mist bottles we love having handy for when heat, dryness and irritation show up unannounced. If you told us even a year ago that we would find a sunscreen mist that’s got a rose and coconut water base, expect to have received a quick eye roll. But that’s exactly what Diipa Büller-Khosla, the founder of indē wild did, and she did it well. “Our Rose Sun Mist is a hybrid SPF that combines both mineral and chemical sun filters, whereas our AM Sunscreen Glow Drops are purely mineral-based. It works as a refreshing SPF boost over your existing sunscreen, including our Glow Drops, without disrupting makeup,” says Büller-Khosla.
Indian or Indian-owned brands are often looked down upon for sun protection but not all of them are taking the easy way out. “We incorporated a non-nano zinc oxide filter at an optimised percentage to ensure effective sun protection while maintaining a lightweight feel,” Khosla tells us about creating the AM Sunscreen Glow Drops. The Drops contain centella asiatica, liquorice root and niacinamide along with sun filters to soothe, hydrate and treat skin while protecting it.
Indian skincare brand RAS’ sunscreen offerings are in a lightweight fluid and mist format, both promising broad spectrum coverage, no pore clogging and safety for sensitive skin as well. “We rejected the conventional UV filters commonly used in most sunscreens, some of which have raised concerns about their potential impact on skin health, the environment and even cancer,” says Suramya Jain, co-founder and chief marketing officer, RAS. “Instead, we opted for a cutting-edge alternative, that is encapsulated UV filters. These innovative filters provide a high level of sun protection—SPF 65 PA++++—while being lightweight, non-greasy and gentle on even the most sensitive skin. [The sunscreen is] infused with botanical extracts like rosehip oil, red algae, and beetroot...plus, it’s non-reef-bleaching, so you can enjoy sun protection without harming marine ecosystems.”
Lakmé has a special focus on R&D, especially to ensure sunscreen efficacy. All of their suncare innovations undergo in vitro (in a lab dish) and in vivo (on humans) testing and the brand is also working with the Indian government to make in vivo testing the norm for SPF claims in the country. Khosla’s formulas are tested in vitro using the COLIPA method according to current Indian guidelines, and using in vivo testing for the EU and UK markets to make sure they meet regulatory conditions around the world. The future’s looking bright and protected.
Ahead, our shopping list of some of the best sunscreen formulas that feel like nothing on your skin.
