Are you confused by all the sunscreen options? With so many brands of sunscreen available in the market, selecting the right one must be difficult. This post may help you to make the proper selection.
What are Sunscreens?
Sunscreens are products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. And SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UV from damaging the skin. There are two types of UV radiations UVA and UVB that causes sunburn, damages skin, and can contribute to skin cancer.

What is UVA and UVB?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It has wavelengths shorter than visible light, making it invisible to the naked eye. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is the longer wave UV ray that causes lasting skin damage, skinage, and can cause skin cancer. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is the shorter wave UV ray that causes sunburns, skin damage, and can cause skin cancer. There’s also a third type of ray, UVC - these are the shortest and strongest, but thankfully they’re absorbed by the ozone layer and don’t typically reach the Earth.

What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and shows to what degree a product prevents sunburn. Since sunburn is caused by UVB radiation, SPF rating give no indication of how well a product will protect you from UVA radiation (responsible for skin aging and skin cancer). As sunburn is caused by UVB radiation SPF is only a measure of how much UVB is blocked. For protection against both UVA and UVB rays you will need a 'broad spectrum' product. An SPF indicates the ability of a sun protection product to filter out UVB rays. An SPF of 15 will filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays and an SPF of 30 will filter out around 96%. When choosing an SPF rating, keep in mind that doubling the SPF value doesn't mean you get double the protection. SPF 15 will block the majority of UVB rays, SPF will block more, and anything over SPF 30 doesn't really protect you much more than an SPF 30 product. An SPF of 15-30 is seen as the recommended by most health experts.

 "sunscreen" vs "sunblock"
While many people use "sunscreen" and "sunblock" interchangeably, there's a difference. Sunscreen contains chemicals that absorb UV rays before they damage the skin. Sunblock contains particles that act as a physical wall against UV rays. While sunscreen must be applied 15 minutes prior to sun exposure, sunblock begins working immediately. Dermatologists say experiment with what works best with your skin and plan accordingly.

What is good about the sun?
Talked a lot of disadvantages of sunlight, Don't be afraid there must be some good also. The light from the sun has a strong effect on mood and we know that people feel better when the sun shines. In particular, those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder show an improvement in the summer months.

Sunlight also acts on the skin to produce vitamin D, which is essential for good health, (especially for female) in particular to maintain health bones.

How much SPF is best to my skin?
The susceptibility of an individual to skin damage from the sun depends to a great extent on their skin type. Skin typing is simply a basic way to categories the sensitivity of the skin to the sun.
Identifying your skin type will help you to decide on the level of protection necessary during sun exposure - for example, skin type I requires very high protection since the body’s inherent protection is very low and the skin is readily burnt by small amounts of UV rays.
Sunscreens should never be used in order to stay in the sun for longer.
I'm showing some more charts that will help you to decide.

Basically the more lighter your skin tone is the more SPF you need.
So how much SPF you need is solved now selecting the right sun protection according to your skin type is another problem. Hence I can suggest but it completely depends on your skins reaction or you can say trail n error method you have to follow...

For normal to Dry skin- Dry skin suppose to feel tight n flaky especially after washing face and throughout the day and this is because lac of water & natural oil in your skin. So you need more moisture and hydrating ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Glycerin etc. Go for creamy products that hydrates enough or formulas that are loaded with emollients like plant oils and fatty acid.
Sunscreen for Normal to Dry Skin -

•                        Lotus herbal Safe Sun Sun Block Cream (SPF 20)
•                        Lacto Calamine Sun Shield (SPF 30) (Dry to normal skin)
•                        Kaya Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
•                        The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso UV Protection Cream (SPF 30)
•                        Avene Very High Protection Cream for dry sensitive skin SPF50+

For normal to Combination skin- You can try almost every type of sunscreens but keep in mind that
find something that won't cause acne. I think lotions are good for you and in winters go for hydrating products.
Sunscreen for Normal to Combination Skin -

•                         Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunblock spf30
•                         Nivea Moisturizing Sun Lotion SPF 50
•                         Lotus 3 in 1 Matte Lock Daily Sunblock SPF 40
•                         Proactive Daily Protection plus Sunscreen SPF 30
•                         VLCC Sweat free sunblock lotion
•                         VLCC Matte Look Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 with Pineapple Extracts
•                         Aroma Magic Aloe Vera Sun Screen Gel SPF20 

For Normal to Oily skin- Sunscreens that won’t cause breakouts can be hard to find yet using it, is important for all the reasons mentioned above.You want something that doesn’t clog your pores, won’t irritate your skin or cause breakouts. I think Gel base sun protections are best for oily or acne prone skin at least from my own experience. But again it completely depends on the reaction of your skin. Look for lightweight sunscreens (sheer or fluid lotions) that dry down to a matte finish.
Sunscreen for  Normal to Oily/Acne prone Skin -

• Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matte Look Daily Sun Block SPF 40
• Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Sunscreen Gel SPF-20
• Nivea for Men Advanced Whitening Dark Spot Reduction Moisturiser SPF 30
• Kaya Skin Clinic Daily Use Sunscreen with SPF 15
• LA ROCHE-POSAY Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50
• Lacto Calamine Sun Shield - Oily To Normal Skin - Spf 30
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+

I personally like to use a sun protection with SPF 20-30. My skin is sensitive to sunscreens so I use them only when I go outside. I feel burning with high SPF containing products.
I'm using Dermabrite Fortifying Sun Care SPF30 and it is very gentle to my skin.

                                                                                                                                      Love Tee...

It’s been said we are what we eat, and that sentiment definitely holds true when it comes to our skin.  It’s our body’s biggest organ, and it deserves all the nutritional TLC we can give it. So take a look at what you’ve been feeding yourself, and therefore feeding your skin. 
One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A, and probably one of the best sources of it is low-fat dairy products. It could be said the health of our skin depends on vitamin A. Low-fat yogurt is not only high in vitamin A, but also acidophilus, the "live" bacteria that is good for intestinal health. Turns out, it may also have an impact on the skin, since it aids in digestion.  Other good sources of vitamin A include cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, and fortified breakfast cereals.
It’s important to also make sure you’re eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are plentiful. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect the skin cells, so there is less chance for damage.  This in turn guards against premature aging, and keeps skin looking younger longer.  Other fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants include artichokes, black, red, and pinto beans, prunes, and pecans.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential to your skin. Include salmon, walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed.  EFAs keep cell membranes healthy, and allow nutrients to pass through.
We also need healthy oils, which contain more than essential fatty acids. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall.  Look for oils that are cold pressed, such as olive or extra virgin oil.  We only need about two tablespoons a day of healthy oils, so use wisely.
Selenium plays an important role in the health of skin cells. Turn to foods like Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts for this important nutrient.  Recent studies show that if selenium levels are high, even skin damaged by the sun may only suffer minimal, if any, damage.
Choosing the whole grain versions of complex carbohydrates can have a significant effect on insulin levels. Processed and refined sugars can cause inflammation that may ultimately be linked to skin break outs.
Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it protects the membrane of the cell. It may even help prevent or reduce skin cancer risks.  
Water plays such an important role in your overall health, and it has a profound effect on your skin’s health as well.  Well-hydrated skin is healthy and young-looking.  It also helps move the toxins out of your system so they have less chance to do damage.

Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.

So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns. 

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners. 

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care.  Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care.  Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care.  Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis. Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.

Home Care Tips to Care for Combination Skin

Cleans the skin with mild cleanser and avoid vigorous cleansing.
If you use a toner it will also be of mild type not to contain the irritant content in it 


as alcohol or some citrus ingredients or any fragrant product in it.
Whenever you go to sun you have to use sun screen or sun blockers especially for 


sensitive skin. A coating of compact powder will also protect the skin from sun rays.
Exfoliate your skin continuously to remove the dead cells and formation of new cells. 


Scrubber of mild nature should be used either of homemade or from market.
The dry areas are only covered by moisturizer with great care and the oily skin is to be 


covered such by products which absorb the excess oil.
For the combination skin use the cosmetics with great care and use the products with best 


quality. Usually the products of oil based and water based both to be used according to 


the area.

Combination Skin Care:
A combination Skin is a mix of oily and dry skin. Some parts tend to have more oil in skin layer and appear shinier, while other is dry and flakes as it has less oil. Majority of people have a oily center around their T-zone, which is across their forehead, nose and chin. The dry area includes the cheeks, neck and area around their eyes. So in this skin type you tend to face problems of both oily and dry skin type. Proper cleaning of oily part with water is requires while for the dry area moisturizing is required.



A combination skin needs to test substitute remedies that work towards preventing surplus 


oiliness in the T-zone and moisturizing the dry parts. Apart from the oily T-zone the dry 


areas on a combination skin are also at times prone to acne. Natural skin care must be 


put to use to nourish and moisturize the dry skin and reduce excessive oil secretion in 


the T-zone to balance the health of the skin. Beauty and skin care tips have some 


suggestions for combination skin that could establish helpful when put to use.