Sun Protection FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Skincare in Summer
Summer is at its peak with heat waves blasting across the country. When it comes to the sun, our skin barrier gets affected first. Tanning, sun marks, sun burns, acne and so much more. And while in a tropical country like India, sun protection is essential year-round, it’s even more crucial during the summer heat.
In this blog, we help you understand how you can protect your skin during summers and answer all your questions in the process.
How to protect your skin from sunlight in summer?
Everyone talks about sunscreen! And while we’ll answer all your questions around sunscreen, here’s some other ways of sun protection that you can use:
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Wearing wide-brimmed hats or caps
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Using sunglasses with UV protection
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Choosing light, long-sleeved clothing
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Staying in the shade or indoors during peak hours (10 AM to 4 PM)
Our wellness pro-tip: Add antioxidant-rich supplements like Vitamin C and E to your routine—they help reduce sun damage from within.
SPF 30 vs SPF 50: What’s better?
This one gets asked a lot. Here’s the deal:
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SPF 30 blocks ~97% of UVB rays
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SPF 50 blocks ~98% of UVB rays
That 1% may sound small, but it adds up! Especially in hot Indian summers where UV index levels often spike above 10. If you're spending time outdoors, SPF 50 gives that added cushion of safety.
How much SPF is good for summer?
For Indian summers? Minimum SPF 30. But if you're in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai or anywhere the sun makes you squint before 9 am, then opt for SPF 50. Reapply every 2–3 hours if you're out in the sun or sweating.
Is SPF 50 good for Indian skin?
Absolutely. SPF 50 isn’t “too much” for Indian skin tones. Even melanin-rich skin can still suffer from sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and long-term collagen loss. SPF 50 provides stronger protection without harming your skin barrier. Just make sure you pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against both UVA + UVB) and patch test if you have sensitive skin.
Does sunscreen reduce Vitamin D absorption?
A fair concern—but not a reason to skip sunscreen. While sunscreen can slightly lower the skin's ability to make Vitamin D, it doesn’t block it completely. Plus, it only affects the small areas of skin that are covered. Most people still make enough Vitamin D through incidental sun exposure (like walking, running errands, or sitting by a sunny window).
But if you’re worried about vitamin D deficiency, you can always opt for Swisse Wellness Vitamin D supplement, because trust us, it’s not worth sacrificing sun protection for.
Lastly, remember that sun protection IS essential. It is a long-term investment in your skin’s health and thus, your overall health too.
Because healthy skin = happy, healthy you.