How much sunscreen do you apply? {Sunscreen}

I have read so many reviews on other blogs and sites especially on sunscreens. And, I have found out one terrible mistake which people make - amount of sunscreen to be applied for proper protection. Many people apply a drop of the product or equivalent. That got me thinking about the amount of sunscreen which should be applied for optimal protection. And, then, I came across a comment in facebook by Renne Rouleau which said that two finger length amount of sunscreen should be applied to every part of the body. 

So, I tried to find more about what is the ideal amount of sunscreen which should be applied. And, the information I came across was correct. If one applies amount of sunscreen which can be traced along the length of their middle finger, they get adequate protection of 45 minutes and if they apply the amount traced across both their index and middle finger, they get optimal protection of 2 hours and 15 minutes. And, this amount of sunscreen has to be applied to every part of the body. The body is divided into 11 parts - face and neck, upper back, lower back, chest, stomach and waist, both upper thighs and lower thighs including feet. So, you need to apply two finger length amount of sunscreen for every part of the body for optimal protection. And, sunscreen has to be applied every half hour according to the article I am referring to.

PS: The information provided in this post has been taken from this article. Kindly refer to it for more details. The link to this article was shared by Tanveer of Addicted to Blush so very thanks to her!!!

So, how much of this advice do I follow? Ok, no, I do not reapply any sunscreen after going into the sun. Not even during my vacation. And, I apply only a finger length amount to my face and neck. May be it is pretty less but frankly the products is so heavy and makes my skin so oily that there is no scope for reapplication unless I wash off my face and do the whole routine again which is again quite an impossible thing. But, how so ever much one might be diligent with sunscreen application and reapplication, it is always best to stay out of sun. I try to follow that rule most of the times :)

PS: This article is relevant for chemical sunscreens. 

READ MORE - How much sunscreen do you apply? {Sunscreen}

Remedy for Sunburn {Reader's Tip}

So, Tanveer posted this remedy as a response to my post yesterday on "How to treat Sunburns?".

"I find applying either a 10% vitamin c soln or a zinc oxide cream brings down the redness inflammation quite rapidly"

You can read this post on how to make a 10% Vitamin C solution on Tanveer's blog and for a Zinc Oxide cream, she uses Rashfree by Pfizer which was recommended by a dermatologist so if you are suffering from any skin problems or are already on medication or something, you should consult a dermatologist before starting with any cream of drug grade.

Btw, just sharing what I know. Zinc Oxide is found in Boroline cream too but the quantity is only 3% so I am not really sure how much it helps with sunburns. Or, it is also found in Lactocalamine. Ok, not that these will help with sunburns but the two easily available products with zinc oxide in them. And, I have tried to get the powdered zinc oxide from the medical stores but it wasn't so easy. So, in case you might just ask them for a cosmetic graded zinc oxide.

READ MORE - Remedy for Sunburn {Reader's Tip}

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock {Product Review}

I love this sunscreen to bits and pieces. 

Price: 450 INR for 88 ml (thanks Gautami!!!)

Ingredients

My Experience

This is the best sunscreen I have used till date. I have tried lots and lots of sunscreens and have always hated everyone of them. This is the only one I have been consistent with in usage. It is definitely very expensive so it goes only on my face and neck. Biotique sunscreens are great for my hands and other parts of the body so it works out to be complimentary solution. It doesn't get oily, keeps the face matte and oil free completely. I have stayed with this suncreen for four hours under the sun literally. And, at the end, my face ended up with just a wee-bit of oil which was a combination of oil and sweat. Then, I have used it during my vacations on the beach and in the hills and it gives great protection all round. Since it is spf 50, I leave it for around 4 hours and my skin hasn't tanned a lot (may be a little). Reapplication after 4 hors is obviously necessary. 

The texture is very sheer so if you spread even a little bit of sunscreen on your hands, it feels very creamy. It spreads very easily and gets absorbed easily. If you are applying it in little quantity, it gets absorbed soon but if you apply it in a thick layer, then it takes around 10-15 minutes to get completely absorbed. Now, let me point out one thing. This product is a sunblock not a sunscreen (even though I have used that word). I prefer sunblock to sunscreens coz sunblocks don't get absorbed into the skin. Instead, they stay on the skin and deflect the sun's rays. So, technically, you can apply a sunblock and go into the sun immediately. What I fail to understand is that why should this be, then, applied 15-30 minutes before sun exposure. I would love an asnwer to this question and would ask Neutrogena people to answer it. Another problem with the product is that it stings in the eye so be very careful while applying it in the eye area.

My Recommendation

You should definitely buy it. Sunscreens are very important and spending on a good one is well-worth the cost.

PS: I had intended to point out that this sunblock is not moisturizing at all but it slipped from my mind while writing the review. Thanks to Dhanu that she reminded me. The sunscreen might be moisturizing enough for oily skins but combination, normal and dry skin need a moisturizer before using the sunblock. 

READ MORE - Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock {Product Review}

I know my skin type!!!

Ok, so this may sound really weird coz I have been blogging about beauty since more than a year and till now, I was unaware of my skin type which is one of the most basic principles of beauty - identifying your skin type. I always though my skin was dry, then I came to the conclusion that it is normal to dry and then, I thought its just crazy, gets oily when it feels like (under hot sun and I sweat a lot) or dries up in winters sometimes like really crazy. But, lately, I have been really analyzing my skin. Its very simple if you pay attention but we sometimes simply tend to ignore taking everything we know for granted. I have big pores around my nose and my nose is generally shiny so obviously I have a combination skin and everything I apply on my face makes me greasy so I could have concluded this long back!!! Anyways, better late than never :) But, even now, I can say that I do have skin which tends to be more dry. 

In all this, I have realized one thing - skin type has to be deduced almost very periodically. Our skin texture changes in every season (even on a day-to-day basis during seasonal changes or any other health conditions) and also due to the products we use. Seems pretty obvious, I know but when it comes to applying we fail. So, we are having summers now. Will our skin go drier or oilier??? You never know!!! So, keep it light in the morning and heavy at night. Ok, if you don't have a cooler or an AC (which I am completely against, it makes you lazy!!!), applying anything on skin can make you feel suffocated and hot. Oils are a big no-no in the summer time, though, I am still using my facial oils. Go for serums and hydration lotions and do suggest me some, please!!! Both face moisturizers and body lotions. I am out of both and have no idea what to go for coz every thing seems so heavy and thick. And, invest in blotting papers (do tell me where you got yours :D). 

Btw, if you are looking out for sunscreens or sunblocks, do consider Neutrogena coz they have really great sunscreens - ageshield if available in India is good otherwise the other one with spf 50 is amazing. Review would be coming in the month of May. It is costly but worth it. Do try out the sample before buying but it suits oily and combination well. Not sure about dry skin so do give it a shot!!! And, grab your sunglasses and full sleeves cotton clothes or elbow-reaching gloves and scarves and umbrellas and bottle of water whenever you step out of your house and enjoy!!!!! Btw, don't forget to analyze your skin and identify your skin type correctly.

READ MORE - I know my skin type!!!