The best Indian sunscreens, genuinely tested by the Tweak team
No more excuses, time to get your SPF on
Our requirements from Indian sunscreens that hope to make it to our #shelfie run longer than most bios on Shaadi.com. Young Indian girl seeking SPF for long term commitment, applicants must be light, non-oily, non-comedogenic, affordable, non-toxic and should not leave white streaks on her face that make her look like a sad clown.
The next generation of Indian sunscreens has met these challenges head-on, providing us with formulations that offer hydration, glowing skin and antioxidant properties, along with basic sun protection.
The Tweak India team played guinea pig for a week and tried out Indian sunscreens that tout natural and organic ingredients in their formulations. From luxury products to more budget-friendly versions, here’s how we would spend our hard-earned money.
Trying out the best Indian sunscreens on the market
Nikhita Arora | Combination-dry skin
Product: Nosun Jojoba-Wheatgerm Moisturising Sun Protection Gel by Just Herbs, ₹795 for 100ml.
Experience: This product said ‘gel’ but the consistency was more of a runny lotion. It spread easily and wasn’t oily, but it did feel sticky. Especially when it came to reapplication.
It doesn’t sit very comfortably, feels a bit cakey and occlusive at first. But once it settles, it’s alright.
I have combination-dry skin and it worked well for me. It was surprising that it didn’t have a white cast because it contains Zinc as a physical sun-blocking ingredient, and that usually leaves the white tint. I would use it again, everything worked for me except for the slight stickiness.
Chandni Sehgal | Combination, allergy-prone skin with Rosacea
Product: Bio Sandalwood Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion by Biotique, ₹350 for 120ml.
Experience: If a product is heavily perfumed or has any ingredient that my skin decides it doesn’t like, I go redder than Ruby Woo. I was also wary of trying a sunblock that wasn’t medicated — purely because the one I used before Biotique (that shall remain unnamed) ended up giving me angry red patches.
While this has a creamy consistency, I was thrilled that my skin stayed more or less reaction-free. It doesn’t feel heavy upon application, but more like a moisturiser than a light sunscreen.
One major deterrent is the scent — the sandalwood fragrance is just too strong. I didn’t reapply on my face because the scent was too overpowering.
People who love sandalwood or perfumed skincare will likely enjoy it. I’d probably use it on my body as a lotion, but not on my face.
Sara Hussain | Sensitive, Combination-Oily skin
Product: Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen by Mamaearth, ₹449 for 80ml.
Experience: I’m religious about sunscreen and reapplication. I have sensitive skin so I was sceptical about trying out a new product but I didn’t react badly to this sunscreen. It’s a slightly thick lotion but spreads easily and is non-sticky, so a little goes a long way.
My issue is that it contains essential oils which can be make the skin sensitive, and fragrance (which is pleasant and eventually fades away). It’s 2020, can we please stop putting fragrance in products that need to be applied to the face?
It also made my face very shiny. A colleague commented that it looked like I had highlighter all over my face.
I’m a face sweater and at the hint of facial sweat, I had white streaks on my forehead.
Plus point for this product would be the price point. I’d say it’s suited for someone with dry skin and living in cooler weather conditions.
Arundhati Chatterjee | Normal skin
Product: SUN FLUID Tender Coconut Water with Turmeric & Basil Leaf SPF by Forest Essentials, ₹975 for 50ml.
Experience: The product lives up to the fluid part of its name. It’s watery in texture and the pump always dispensed more product than is needed, which just seemed wasteful. That I can drum up to faulty packaging.
Otherwise, it’s easy to apply and doesn’t make my skin sticky or oily. It does take some time to completely dry down, which can be an issue for people who want to apply makeup right after and head to work.
It’s SPF 50 and very lightweight, so overall a great product. I would repurchase and I don’t have much to complain about except for the strong fragrance.
