As teenagers, it would be obvious to travel between school, outdoor activities and also spend time with friends in the daytime. Sunscreen being the last step of skincare, their major role is to protect skin from harsh UV rays. Some skip them because of the greasy or oily finish it gives to the skin. But they should be the mandatory step in AM skincare routine.

Some people, especially with oily or acne-prone skin skip this step because of the greasy or oily finish it gives to the skin post application. And also, most of them assume sunscreen is only to be used in the summer season. The fact that teenagers should use SPF, is not to build a complicated skincare routine but to develop a simple habit which protects skin. 

Suring the adolescence period, there are a lot of things happening in the body like harmonal changes, increase in oil production, and even triggers acne. Even though SPF cannot prevent them, they help in preventing sunburn, uneven skin tone and even the dark marks left behind beeakouts. The good news? Teenagers also can build a non-expensive skincare routine which should be used correctly for healthy skin.

Top 5 Sunscreens for Teenagers

1. Deyga Sunscreen SPF 50

MRP Price: ₹750 for 50 g

Why consider it: One of the simple, beginner-friendly, zero feel sunscreens and best for people who prefer zinc oxide-based sun protection.

• Deyga's SPF 50 sunscreen is a zero feel sunscreen where it uses Zinc Oxide for providing broad spectrum UV rays protection.

• The formulation is non-greasy, does not leave whitecase, and easily blends with your everyday skincare products.

• The SPF is mineral based sunscreen and can be opted by teenagers for everyday protection.

2. Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen

Price: ₹399 for 50 g

Why consider it: A practical SPF for teenagers who like well-moisturised and natural-looks rather than a strongly matte feel.

• Minimalist offers SPF 50 sunscreen which has moisturizer based texture and easily gets blended with skin. 

• For a comfortable feeling and want something simple without a whitecase, this SPF 50 is a better choice.

• The PA++++ rating shows its high protection level under the PA rating system with the level of giving higher protection leve to skin.

3. Fixderma Shadow SPF 50+ Gel Sunscreen

Listed price: ₹512 for the 75 g

Why consider it: A gel-based option for teenagers who want zero oily feel post application.

• The harmonal changes happening among teenagers might make skin oily, which obviously leads to skipping products. 

• In such cases, the heavy or greasy finish SPF might either cause breakouts or an uncomfortable finish in the skin post application.

• The gel texture might make sunscreen application easier to opt for, by the presence of non-comedogenic labels it gives while applying.

4. Re'equil Ultra Matte Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++

MRP price: ₹645 for 50 g 

Why consider it: A matte-finish option for  teenagers who want a sunscreen that feels less greasy.

• For teenagers who find shiny or sticky sunscreen uncomfortable, this matte dry touch is worth considering. 

• The silicone-gel texture will give you a matte finish, with some of the added benefits like being non-comedogenic and water-resistant.

• However, water resistance does not mean the sunscreen is waterproof, and it still needs to be reapplied after swimming, heavy sweating or towel-drying.

5. Minimalist Light Fluid SPF 50 Sunscreen

Listed price: ₹499 MRP for the 50 ml

Why consider it: A fluid-texture alternative for teenagers who prefer a lighter application.

• The fluid based SPF sunscreen which is a great fit for beginners and teenagers who want light-weight products which feel lighter on the skin.

• Minimalist Light Fluid SPF 50 provides broad-spectrum protection and is described by the brand as water-resistant, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

Why Is Sunscreen Important During the Teenage Years?

Teenagers' skin might be healthy and resilient , but it does get affected due to the ultra-violet radiation. SPF helps in protecting skin from UVA and UVB rays through the right direction. Here are the top three reasons to make SPF a part of a daily routine.

1. It prevents sunburn - UVB rays often cause sunburn; So spending time outdoors without protection might leave skin red, sore, or irritated.

2. Reduce long-term sun damage - When skin repeatedly exposed to UV exposure, they contribute to premature ageing and increase even the risk of skin cancer over time. Sun protection is one of the essential habits which should be built for healthy skin.

3. Prevent dark marks from becoming more noticeable - The skin acne might leave marks, which is prone to pigmentation. And, sun exposure might darken these marks and make the fading process longer than usual.

Using sunscreen alone does not treat acne, but they play an important part for protecting skin from issues like sun tan, pigmentation marks, and even new breakouts to pop on and off!

What Should Teenagers Look for in Sunscreen?

When choosing SPF, they do not involve picking high SPF or viral ingredients alone. Staring with basics work:

1. Broad-Spectrum Protection with SPF 30 or Higher

The SPF in sunscreen majorly indicated protection against UVB radiation. The broad spectrum works on protecting against UVA and UVB rays.

For using them on a daily basis, ensure to choose a broad spectrum SPF which is 30, 50, and above. Opting for SPF 50 sunscreen is a better choice if you spend a lot of time outdoors, and ensure to reapply.

2. A Formula That Suits the Skin Type

Skin Types vary from person to person; One texture will not suit all teenagers skin type.

3. A Finish You Will Actually Wear

Only if the sunscreen is comfortable and blends easily with the skin, you will use them without skipping. So, opt for SPF which has no white residue and does not feel sticky or shiny when used over skin.

If your sunscreen leaves a noticeable cast, swap with a different texture or formulation which matches your complexion. 

How to Use Sunscreen on a School or College Day

1. Start with basic skin-friendly face wash. Gel based for oily skin, and cream based for dry skin.

2. Use a hydration moisturizer on the neck, ears, and face gently.

3. After a minute or two, use SPF sunscreen as directed and apply all over your face and neck. Reapply if you are sweating often or go swimming.

Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas, including the ears, back of the neck, arms and legs. These areas are easy to overlook when rushing out of the house.

For long outdoor events, combine sunscreen with shade, sunglasses and suitable clothing. If you sweat heavily, do not wait until the end of the activity to think about sun protection.

Conclusion

When it comes to the best sunscreen for teenagers, it's obviously not ones which are expensive or currently in trend online. The best SPF for Teenagers are ones which offer better sun protection and also the ones which sit comfortably in the skin without causing a sense of discomfort.

Start with the basics, keep the routine manageable and make sunscreen part of getting ready for school, college or outdoor activities. This one habit when you start early, you will have better and healthy skin in your late 20's or 30's.