Living in the UAE, our relationship with the sun is complicated. We love year-round beach days and the golden hour glow, but the Gulf heat is intense. A generic supermarket sunscreen simply wonât provide the protection your skin needs.
The real trick behind choosing sunscreen isnât just grabbing a bottle with âSPFâ printed on it; itâs about knowing how to select a formula that wonât trigger breakouts, leave you oily,or leave your skin greasy or with a white cast. At SunKiss, we know that whether youâre facing the humid air of Jumeirah or the dry desert climate of Al Ain, the right sunscreen is essential for healthy skin.
Why One Size Doesn't Fit All (The SPF Edition)
Many of us have borrowed a friendâs sunscreen only to find it irritates our eyes or leaves our skin feeling heavy. Usually, this happens because the sunscreen isnât suited to your skin type. When youâre looking at how to pick SPF cream, you have to consider your skinâs "personality."
For those of us living here, the heat often dictates our choices. If youâre just starting your journey into better skin habits, a great place to begin is browsing a curated selection of mineral sun protection creams that are designed to sit comfortably on the skin without the harsh chemicals.
Breaking Down the Big Debate: Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen
Letâs start off by distinguishing between Chemical and Mineral sunscreens before we get into the different types of skin you may have.
- Chemical Sunscreens: We think of Chemical Sunscreens as sponges. These sunscreens absorb into the skin and convert UV radiation to heat, and as such, they can be very thin or âinvisibleâ when applied, although the ingredients in chemical sunscreens can sometimes irritate people with sensitive skin.
- Mineral Sunscreens (also called sunblock) have been deemed the best method of protecting against the long-term skin damage caused by the sun as well as by chemicals used in the manufacturing of sunscreen products. Being mineral sunscreens, they are made of inert materials, thus, the body is able to create its own natural protective layer against UV rays without the human use of chemicals that negatively impact our environment.
For a frequent swimmer, he/she should opt for a sunscreen that is mutually sustainable and at the same time effective in keeping the marine environment safe and protecting sea creatures, and yet provides a great shield from the sun. Reefinity Hydra Shield Unscented SPF30 is one of the best examples of a Mineral Sunscreen that totally protects both your skin and the local ocean while maintaining performance and ethics.
Identifying Your Skin Type and Its Best Match
1. The Struggle of Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
In the humid weather of the UAE, oily skin can seem like a magnet for dust and sweat. The best sunscreen for oily skin is a "non comedogenic" product (which means it is less likely to clog your pores) and has a matte or "dry, touch" finish. You want your protective layer to stay intact without giving you more shine.
If you dislike the sensation of thick creams, consider looking for those that vanish on your skin instantly. The Invisible Sun Shield Cocolime SPF 50 has been very popular since it provides a high, level of protection with a totally clear finishno white cast and no greasy residue.
2. Quenching the Thirst of Dry Skin
Air conditioning keeps things comfortable in the summer months, however, it is unforgiving towards the moisture content of your skin. If you find your skin feeling tight halfway through your workday, the answer is to find a good SPF cream to use on top of your dry skin. Look for ingredients that promote hydration such as hyaluronic acid or natural oils and protect you from the sun.
The Sunkiss Coconut Mineral SPF 30 is creamy enough to create a Hydrating barrier against the sun, but still smells like a beach day every single day!
3. Finding Balance: What Sunscreen is Good for Combination Skin?
If your T-zone looks like an oil slick, but your cheeks are dry - then you can consider yourself to be part of the combination skin club. The key to finding the right SPF sunscreen for combination skin is to look for lightweight mineral-based sunscreens that will provide hydration without being too occlusive. Combination skin is best serviced by a lightweight mineral-based sunscreen that is not too heavy, but does provide moisture. It is important to find the right balance between moisture and weight; otherwise, you may feel like you have a lot of weight on your face, or stung by the formula in some way. To see how to find balance in your everyday skincare routine, check out this complete resource on how to create a good sunscreen routine.
The "Everyday" Question: Which SPF is Best for Face Everyday?
We get asked this a lot: which SPF is best for face everyday? In the UAE, the answer is almost always SPF 50. Even if you're just commuting, the UV index here is high enough that "incidental" sun exposure adds up fast.
However, your face needs more than just protection; it needs repair. As we age, the sun becomes our primary cause of wrinkles. The SPF 50 Age-Defying Daily Face Protection serves a dual purpose by protecting against the sunâs rays while also providing antioxidants that support healthy, firm skin. If you are uncertain about what specific protection your face needs compared to your body, our recent blog has provided information to help you select the best product for your face.
Sensitive Skin: Avoiding the Redness
People with sensitive skin can be sure that they will not have any irritation from the sun or burning sensation from chemical filters. While it may seem difficult to choose a sunblock product when you have sensitive skin, it is important to make sure that you choose one that contains only 100% mineral ingredients. This way you will not alter your skin chemistry and will be able to use a product to calm your irritated skin as you build a physical barrier against the sun.
SPF 30 vs SPF 50: Does It Really Matter?
Many people are unclear about the SPF 30 compared to SPF 50 debate, initially assuming that the difference is too little; the majority of people find out that there is actually too much difference in terms of the protection offered by each. The difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 means very little; however, if you have light skin or are going to be exposed to the sun for an extended period of time. The minimal increase in protection (1%) offered by the SPF 50 sunscreen and being able to use SPF 50 longer when under stress makes SPF 50 a better choice while enjoying a beach day!
Final Thoughts
Selecting sunscreen isnât supposed to be a difficult decision; once you identify which formula works best with your skin, applying it becomes part of your daily regimenâjust like drinking coffee or checking traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road. With SunKiss, sun protection should feel just as natural and expected.
Choosing to wear your selected sunscreen daily will help to protect your skin from premature damage; as long as you protect your skin today, it will protect you tomorrow. Stay Sunkissed and protected!
