Sunscreen

Sunscreen — daily sun protection for the face and body, in gel, fluid, cream and stick formats, from Korean, Japanese, European and Indian brands. If you buy one skin care product this year, this is the one with the most evidence behind it.

Chemical, Mineral or Hybrid — Which to Choose

• Chemical sunscreens absorb UV and convert it to heat. They are light, invisible on all skin tones and pleasant to wear daily — the usual choice for a humid climate. They need about 15 minutes to become effective.

• Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on the surface and reflect UV. They work immediately, they are the gentlest option for reactive and post-procedure skin, and they can leave a white cast on deeper skin tones.

• Hybrids combine both and are where most modern Korean and Japanese formulas sit — broad protection with a cosmetically acceptable finish.

Matching a Sunscreen to Your Skin

• Oily or acne-prone: a gel, fluid or “watery” texture marked non-comedogenic. Heavy creams in this climate are what make people abandon sunscreen.

• Dry: a cream or lotion base, which does the moisturising job at the same time.

• Sensitive or post-treatment: mineral, fragrance-free.

• Deeper skin tones: chemical or a tinted mineral, to avoid a grey cast.

The best sunscreen is genuinely the one you will put on every morning. A perfect formula you dislike wearing protects nobody.

How Much, and How Often

• Half a teaspoon for the face and neck — about two finger-lengths squeezed onto your index and middle fingers.

• A shot-glass amount for the exposed body.

Last step of skin care, before make-up.

Reapply every two to three hours outdoors, and after swimming or sweating. Indoors away from windows, once in the morning is generally enough.

Ears, neck, hands and the parting of your hair — the places everyone misses.

Storing It Properly

Bangladesh’s heat and humidity are harder on most products than anything else they will meet.

• Cool, dry and out of direct sunlight — not a sunny windowsill, and not the hottest corner of the bathroom.

• Keep the cap closed properly. Air and moisture do more damage over months than anything else.

• Do not decant into an unmarked container. Once the pack is gone, so are the batch number, the expiry date and the instructions.

• Keep it out of reach of children.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do SPF and PA actually mean?

SPF measures UVB protection — the burning rays. PA+ measures UVA — the ageing and pigmenting rays. For daily use here, SPF 30 or higher with PA+++ or PA++++ is the sensible target, and the PA rating is the half most people never look at.

How do I reapply over make-up?

A sunscreen stick, a cushion sunscreen or an SPF powder over the top. Trying to rub a cream sunscreen into finished make-up does not work and is why most people simply skip the reapplication.

Does sunscreen expire?

Yes, and it matters — the filters degrade. Check the date, note the period-after-opening symbol, and do not carry the same bottle through three summers. Heat in a car or a bag shortens its life considerably.

How do I know the product is genuine?

Check the seal, the batch number and the expiry printed on the pack itself rather than on a sticker over it. Everything we sell is sourced to arrive sealed and within date, and if what you receive does not match the listing we will put it right.

How much shelf life will it have?

We stock to arrive well within date and do not knowingly ship anything close to expiry. If you need a specific minimum for a particular order, ask before placing it and we will check the batch.