A Guide to the 10 Best Sunscreens Available in India

Be it summer, rainy or winter, if there is one product that you should not skip while venturing outdoors, especially during the day time, then it is a good sunscreen. A sunscreen is known to not only protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun but it also minimizes the visible signs of premature ageing and risks like skin cancer, sun tans and other skin disorders. Hence it is vital to have a good sunscreen at hand, anytime of the year.

Today, if you go to a beauty store or search online, you will be overwhelmed with a number of sunscreens from different brands and with different SPF levels. Each claims to be the best with their unique formula and ingredient list. With pricing also being a big factor for many customers, picking a sunscreen that is actually effectual and value for money is not an easy task. 

To help you with this, I have made a list of 10 best sunscreens currently available in India. Pick the one that suits your skin the most and help your skin earnestly.

1. Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel, SPF 50

One of the gentlest, effective and widely bought sunscreens in India is Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel, SPF 50. A gel-based creamy lotion, Lotus Herbals is specifically suitable for normal to oil skin types and can be applied on face and exposed parts of the body (like neck, arms, legs, etc.). 

As you can see in the picture, Lotus Herbals sunscreen comes in an attractive, bright orange colored plastic tube that is quite sturdy and travel-friendly. Be it your handbag or wallet, it can easily fit into it and be carried anywhere. Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel is enriched with herbal extracts, with its key ingredients being Horse Chestnut, Comfrey and Vanilla extracts. The product boasts of a non-greasy formula, offers a high SPF of 50 (covers both UVA as well as UVB protection) and gives a light, soothing feel and tinted matte effect to the user on application.

A number of positive reviews on how the cream easily blends and gets absorbed into the skin without resulting in a white cast or how it does not cause the skin to dry or feel sticky/irritated, makes the product a worthwhile buy. What is also noteworthy, is that apart from being budget-friendly and shielding the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel also protects it from sun damages like tanning, sunburns, premature ageing and even skin cancer. 

The presence of paraben and it not being water resistant, however, are the two noticeable cons of this product.

2. Sunprotek SPF-50+ Sunscreen Gel

Sunprotek SPF-50+ Sunscreen Gel I feel is one of the most underrated sunscreens in India. Highly recommended by real users as well as dermatologists, this broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection sunscreen is super light and non-greasy. Suited for all skin types, this phospholipid water-based gel sunscreen however, is more suitable for people with acne prone and sensitive skin.

Some of the other important highlights of Sunprotek SPF-50+ Sunscreen Gel are that it is non-comedogenic (safe for your skin), doesn't clog your pores, leaves absolutely no whitish cast post application and has a refreshing, mild smell. The presence of aloe vera, allantoin and Vitamin E in the sunscreen further help in moisturizing your face well. This travel-friendly sunscreen tube has honestly no cons (except from very few customers about it making the skin look oily).

3. Biotique Bio Sandalwood Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion, SPF 50+

Biotique Bio Sandalwood Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion, SPF 50+ is another very popular and affordable sunscreens available in the country. Suited for both men and women, one of the best feature of this sunscreen is that it is water-resistant (means you can apply and go for swimming as well). 

This lotion is a nutrient-rich blend of natural ingredients like sandalwood, saffron, wheatgerm, honey and bark of Arjun tree to give your skin a soft, protected and moisturized feel. Suitable for all skin types, Biotique Bio Sandalwood Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion also offers a high SPF of 50 + along with covering UVA/UVB protection.

Along with a host of positives of this Ayurvedic based sunscreen, the absence of paraben and it being cruelty free are other important highlights of this product. People who have bought this sunscreen have also raved about it being really good in terms of not leaving a whitish cast or dryness of any sort on your face post application. The only big concern that has been brought forth by users is regarding its peculiar herbal fragrance (some feel its ok while others consider it too strong). However the fragrance doesn't linger much after application, to become a major deterrent in your purchase.

4. Glenmark La Shield Sunscreen Gel SPF-40

If you are looking for a sunscreen that is oil-free, non-irritant, water-resistant and  one of the highly endorsed sunscreens by dermatologists, then Glenmark La Shield Sunscreen Gel is the one for you. 

Glenmark La Shield Sunscreen Gel is a gel-based cream that is white in color, light on the skin, mild in fragrance and comes in a sturdy off-white/brownish-golden tube packaging. The consistency of the cream is also ideal, as it is neither runny or thick. Besides being an SPF 40, PA+++ broad spectrum sunscreen that offers both UVA/UVB protection, the cream also improves skin hydration by moisturizing it.  It also offers an amazing matte finish post application, which is immensely liked by users. 

A great product to protect your skin from the sun and its damages, Glenmark La Shield Sunscreen Gel SPF - 40 (60 gm) is however, on the higher side of pricing (over Rs. 700/-, though you can get it for less than Rs. 600/- at Amazon).

5. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock, SPF 50+

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock is another very good sunscreen available in the country today. A dermatologically tested sunscreen, the actual product is a light textured white coloured cream that comes in a sturdy, travel-friendly packaging. The product is claimed to be PABA free, non-comedogenic, water-proof and sweat-proof, which I think is really helpful in a humid and generally hot country like India.

A lot of users have commended about the product getting easily absorbed in the skin and not giving out a greasy feel on/after application. The sunscreen having SPF 50+ and PA+++ protection is another big feature of this product. Besides this, the product can be liberally used on your face as well as your body. So you need not buy another sunscreen solely for your body. 

Easily available online as well as offline beauty stores, the only complaint that Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock seems to have is from people who have super oily skin (can get greasy for them) or who do not love the matte effect it adds on their skin.

6. Avene Very High Protection SPF 50+ Emulsion

Avene Very High Protection SPF 50+ Emulsion is a dermatologist recommended sunscreen. It is highly sought-out by people with sensitive skin, dry skin and very dry skin (though it is suited for all skin types). What people admire most about this waterproof sunscreen is that it is paraben-free, hypoallergenic and the fact that how even a small amount of this cream is enough for your entire face and neck area.

Avene Very High Protection SPF 50+ Emulsion has also been immensely liked by users for its overall effectiveness in protecting the skin from the sun for longer hours and also nourishing the skin due to the presence of antioxidants and thermal spring water. However, the high cost of this product (50 ml costs more than Rs. 1500/-) and it leaving a whitish cast on the skin (complaints from a few users) are the major cons about this sunscreen.

7. Lakme Sun Expert SPF 50 PA+++ Ultra Matte Lotion

Coming from one of the biggest and loved cosmetic brands in India, Lakme Sun Expert SPF 50 PA+++ Ultra Matte Lotion is for those who are looking for a sunscreen that is specifically created and suited for the hot and humid Indian weather. Packaged in a bright yellow colored plastic tube, the light and non-sticky gel sunscreen has found numerous admirers for its many useful features. 

Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte Lotion is easily available, blends effortlessly into the skin and moisturizes it quite well. A non-comedogenic sunblock, this product can not only be used regularly as part of your essential skincare routine but also used as a base for makeup to give you an ultra-matte finish. A go-to product for many sunscreen lovers in India, Lakme Sun Expert SPF 50 PA+++ Ultra Matte Lotion is dermatologically tested, reasonably priced and claims to block up to 97% harmful sunrays.

Suited for all types of skin, the only complaints from users of this sunscreen are the presence of too many chemicals (as seen in their ingredient list) and their fairness claims being untrue.

8. Kaya Clinic Daily Use Sunscreen SPF 30

For those who are planning to buy a daily wear sunscreen with triple benefits of good hydration, skin lightening and effective protection against skin tanning, Kaya Clinic Daily Use Sunscreen just fits the bill. This lightweight sunscreen from Kaya offers broad spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays. It also boasts of Ultra Booster Rating of 5 and PA++++ shield which means the highest level of protection from the harmful rays of the sun. 

Creamy in texture, Kaya's white coloured dermatologically tested sunscreen comes in a striking white and yellow plastic tube packaging, which is pleasing to the eye and easy to carry. Many customers who have used this sunscreen have raved about how amazingly it works in both protecting and moisturizing the skin at the same time and that too quite effortlessly. This sunscreen also does not leave a whitish cast, which is another big plus of the product. However, this sunscreen from Kaya is found to be best suited for normal and dry skin types, as it tends to get a bit greasy for oily skin people (especially during summers).

9. Aroma Magic Cucumber Sunscreen Lotion

If you are looking for a mineral-based, quick-absorbing sunscreen which is free from parabens, harsh chemicals and alcohol then Aroma Magic Cucumber Sunscreen Lotion is for you. This product offers the goodness of aloe vera, cucumber and essential oils, to provide smart sun protection from broad spectrum UVA/UVB rays, while also soothing and cooling your skin from sunburns and possible scars. 

Aroma Magic Cucumber Sunscreen Lotion is a skin-friendly SPF 30 lotion that is suitable for all skin types. Be it your face, neck, hands or legs, this sunscreen works wonderfully to protect your skin from head to toe. What also works in favor of this sunscreen, is that it perfectly complements your makeup routine. 

So far so good. Aroma Magic Cucumber Sunscreen Lotion is loved by many, particularly  by people with sensitive, dry and normal skin type. This sunscreen also works good for oily and combination skin people  and that too without causing break outs. 

However, during summers this sunscreen can tend to be greasy for people with oily skin. That is the only big complaint noted about this product. 

10. Mamaearth's Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 PA+++

A sunscreen that is just tailor-made for Indian skin is Mamaearth's Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen Lotion. This wonderful lotion is ultra light in texture, non-sticky and gets quickly absorbed in the skin. A perfect solution for hot summers and humid weathers, Mamaearth's Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen Lotion is free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil and SLS and boasts of natural ingredients like turmeric, carrot seed oil, orange oil and cananga oil to keep your skin glowing, protected and tan-free.

 

Mamaearth's Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen Lotion is suitable for both men and women and suited for all skin types. It is a SPF 50 PA+++ sunscreen and claims to be effectual in protecting against harmful UVA and UVB rays for as long as 6 hours. Its mild but very lovely fragrance and its ability to get completely absorbed in the skin and provide both protection and nourishment effectually, makes it my list of one of the top daily use sunscreens in India.

Seriously, I could not think of any cons of this really good sunscreen. But, if I have to add one, then I would say that an 80 ml tube of this sunblock lotion costing you more than Rs. 400/- is slightly on the higher side. However, if you keep the price aside, then the product is definitely worth the money.

Now that I have come to the bottom of the list, I request my lovely friends out there to use the comment section and write about their favorite sunscreen. It may have made to this list or not. But, do express your reviews about the sunscreen you are using or love immensely. Your views are much appreciated and welcome here.😊