All articles from our Journal
Sun science, stories, research and more — all in one place.
Science
The Science of Sun Hygiene: Why Sunscreen is a Daily Basic, Not a Luxury
What is Sun Hygiene? Sun hygiene is the daily habit of protecting your skin from UV radiation, the same way you protect...
Science
What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?
The sun does more than give you warmth The sun is the closest star to Earth. It gives us light, warmth, and...
Science
Aditya Hridayam: The Heart of the Sun
What Does the Name Mean? Aditya Hridayam — rendered in Sanskrit as Āditya Hṛdayam — breaks apart beautifully. Āditya refers to the Sun, specifically as the son...
Science
Is Your Sunscreen Irritating Your Eyes? The Anatomy of a Habit-Forming Formula
The real reason most people stop using sunscreen Ask anyone who has tried and abandoned sunscreen and the answer is usually some...
White Papers
Sun Hygiene: The Case for Reclassifying Daily Sun Protection as a Non-Negotiable Health Habit in Indian Households
The Problem Daily sunscreen use among Indian adults is estimated to be substantially below the levels required for meaningful population-level photoprotection. Surveys...
Why Knowing About UV Damage Is Not Enough to Make You Use Sunscreen
If you would like to read the full published paper, you can find it here: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19698137 Most people know that UV radiation...
What is Sun Hygiene and Why Does Your Family Need It?
If you would like to read the full published paper, you can find it here: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19696345 Most of us know that sunscreen...
Sun Stories
The All-Seeing Eye: Helios and the Golden Chariot
In Greek mythology, the sun was a sensory experience of heat and blinding gold. Helios was a Titan, a primordial force of...
Sun Stories
The Soul of the Universe: Lord Surya and the Chariot of Seven
In the ancient Vedic traditions, the sun is not merely a distant star but the Pratyaksha Devata—the only deity visible to the human...
Sun Stories
The Midnight Struggle of the King: Ra and the Eternal Cycle
In the scorching expanse of ancient Egypt, the sun was not a ball of gas but a living king. Ra, the creator...
Sun Stories
The Golden Fire: Morning Among the Toda Herdsmen
High in the Nilgiri Hills, the morning does not arrive all at once. It filters through a thick, rolling mist that clings...
Sun Stories
Shadows on the Wall: The Morning Shift of the Warli
The rooster has not yet stirred, but the courtyards of Palghar are already alive with the soft scrape of brooms. In these...
Sun Stories
The Mountain Watch: Timekeeping in the Dongria Kondh Hills
In the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha, time is not measured by the ticking of a clock. It is measured by the length...
Sun Stories
A Map of the Desert: Navigating the Thar with the Rabari
The Thar Desert is a landscape of extremes where the horizon seems to vibrate under the weight of the heat. For the...
Sun Stories
The Green Calendar: A Day with the Bhil Farmers
In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the Bhil farmers do not look at a paper calendar to know what the day holds....
Sun Stories
The Sunset Invitation: The Santhal Rhythm of Light
Among the Santhals, the sun is a partner in a long, daily duet. The first movement begins before dawn with the sweeping...
Is sunscreen ok for oily skin?
Yes, sunscreen is absolutely suitable for oily skin. The right formula, a gel or lightweight fluid with SPF 50 PA++++, sits comfortably...
Can I put sunscreen on my fungal acne?
Yes, and it is important to do so. Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) is sensitive to UV exposure like any inflamed skin, and...
Why does sunscreen make my face look better?
Several things happen when you start wearing sunscreen consistently. UV-driven daily damage stops accumulating, which allows your skin's natural repair processes to...
What is the fastest way to look younger?
The fastest external change that makes skin look younger is consistent hydration and sun protection. Dehydrated skin and UV damage both accelerate...
What slows aging the most?
Consistent daily sunscreen use is the most evidence-backed external factor in slowing skin ageing. UV exposure is responsible for up to 80%...
Which sunscreen is best for oily skin in low budget?
Budget-friendly sunscreens for oily skin are widely available in India and can deliver full SPF 50 PA++++ protection at accessible price points....
What does PA++++ mean on sunscreen?
PA++++ is the highest rating in the Protection Grade of UVA system, a rating developed in Japan and widely used across Asia...
How do I choose the right sunscreen?
Start with two non-negotiable criteria: SPF 50 and PA++++. Then match the format to your skin type. Gel or fluid for oily...
What is a good sunscreen?
A good sunscreen is one that offers SPF 50 for UVB protection, PA++++ for the highest available UVA coverage in India, has...
What sunscreen is acne safe?
Acne-safe sunscreens are those labelled non-comedogenic, meaning they are formulated not to clog pores. Gel-based or water-based formulas are generally the most...
How to choose a sunscreen for oily skin?
For oily skin, look for a sunscreen labelled as gel, fluid, or aqua-type, with SPF 50 PA++++, and described as oil-free or...
What is the best time to apply sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be applied every morning as part of your routine, ideally about 15 to 20 minutes before you step outdoors if...
What is the best daily sunscreen for oily skin?
For oily skin, the best daily sunscreen is a lightweight gel or fluid with SPF 50 and PA++++, a matte or satin...
Which Indian brand sunscreen is best?
The best Indian sunscreen brand depends on your skin type and what you prioritise in a formula. Look for brands that meet...
What are the three bad ingredients in sunscreen?
The UV filters most commonly discussed as concerning are oxybenzone (linked to reef damage and questioned for hormonal effects), octinoxate (also associated...
Which sunscreen is not chemical?
Mineral sunscreens are the category that uses no chemical UV filters. They rely on zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or a combination of...
What sunscreen is good for keratosis?
For actinic keratosis (sun-damaged skin patches), daily SPF 50 PA++++ sunscreen is a core part of management. Sunscreen reduces further UV damage...
What is the safest sunscreen for face and body?
Mineral sunscreens using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are widely considered among the safest options for both face and body. They use...
Which sunscreen is best for the whole body?
For the whole body, you want a sunscreen with SPF 50 PA++++ in a format that spreads easily and absorbs comfortably over...
How to apply sunscreen to body?
For full body coverage, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas including arms, legs, the back of the neck, chest, and any other...
Can I skip moisturizer and just apply sunscreen?
For oily skin, skipping moisturiser and applying sunscreen directly is a popular approach that keeps the routine simple and reduces shine. For...
Does sunscreen make skin glow?
Sunscreen itself does not directly create a glow, but consistent daily use over time contributes to healthier, more even skin that often...
Can I use sunscreen as body lotion?
Technically yes, but it is not ideal as a direct replacement for body lotion. Sunscreen does not provide the same moisturising effect...
What happens if I stay in the sun for 1 hour?
One hour in the sun without protection during peak UV hours can lead to significant UV exposure. For fair to medium skin...
Why do you have to wait 20 minutes after applying sunscreen?
The 20-minute wait applies to chemical sunscreens and allows the UV-absorbing filters to fully bind to the skin. Before this binding process...
How do I know if sunscreen is working?
You cannot feel sunscreen working, which is part of why consistent use matters. Indicators that your sunscreen is doing its job include...
How is Korean sunscreen different?
Korean sunscreens are known for lightweight, cosmetically elegant textures that feel comfortable for daily use and work well under makeup. They often...
How long does it take for sunscreen to absorb?
Chemical sunscreens typically take about 15 to 20 minutes to fully bind to the skin and become effective. Mineral sunscreens (those using...
Which sunscreen and moisturizer is good for combination skin?
For combination skin, the goal is a sunscreen and moisturiser combination that hydrates the drier areas without making the oily T-zone congested...
What to avoid when buying sunscreen?
When buying sunscreen, avoid products with an SPF below 30, no PA rating, or only SPF with no indication of UVA coverage....
What not to mix with sunscreen?
Avoid mixing sunscreen with other products in your palm before applying. Be mindful about using highly acidic products like vitamin C serums...
Can I mix sunscreen with moisturizer?
Mixing sunscreen with moisturiser before applying is not recommended. It dilutes the sunscreen and disrupts the UV-filtering layer it forms on the...
What are common sunscreen application mistakes?
The most common mistake is applying too little. Most people use about a quarter of the recommended amount, which can reduce the...
Is expensive sunscreen worth the cost?
Price does not determine how well a sunscreen protects. What matters is that it carries SPF 50 and PA++++, suits your skin...
Which type of sunscreen is best for pigmentation?
For pigmentation, the most important factor is choosing a sunscreen with high UVA protection. PA++++ is the standard to look for in...
How do Koreans get rid of dark spots?
Korean skincare for dark spots typically combines consistent sunscreen use as the foundation with targeted ingredients like niacinamide, tranexamic acid, vitamin C,...
How long in sun to tan?
The time it takes to tan depends on your skin tone, UV index, time of day, and the amount of skin exposed....
Do I have to wash sunscreen every day?
Yes, sunscreen should be washed off at the end of the day. Sunscreen sits on the surface of the skin and, after...
Do Indian skin need sunscreen?
Yes. All skin tones, including the full range of Indian skin tones, benefit from sunscreen. The melanin in darker skin provides some...
How long is it safe without sunscreen?
There is no universally safe duration for unprotected sun exposure. The answer depends on your UV index at that moment, your skin...
Why is sunscreen banned in some countries?
Some sunscreen chemicals have been banned or restricted in specific countries, primarily due to environmental concerns, not human safety issues. Hawaii, Palau,...
Why does Indian skin tan so easily?
Indian skin contains more melanin than lighter skin tones, but this melanin responds actively to UV exposure by producing more pigment as...
What does Ayurveda say about sunscreen?
Traditional Ayurveda predates modern sunscreen by centuries but recognised the importance of protecting skin from the sun. Ingredients like sandalwood, turmeric, and...
What are the safest sunscreen brands?
Safety in sunscreen comes from the ingredients and their regulatory approval, not the brand. Any sunscreen approved for sale in India meets...
Is it OK to use sunscreen everyday?
Yes, daily sunscreen use is not only safe but recommended by sun protection researchers. UV exposure happens every day, and daily use...
Which sunscreen can be used without moisturizer?
Sunscreens that include hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or niacinamide can be used comfortably without a separate moisturiser for many skin...
Which sunscreen is no. 1 in India?
There is no single sunscreen ranked number one for all skin types in India. The right sunscreen depends on your skin type,...
Can sunscreen remove hyperpigmentation?
Sunscreen does not remove existing hyperpigmentation, but it is the most important step in preventing it from getting darker and in allowing...
Can I use sunscreen if I have dry skin?
Yes, and you should. Sunscreen is beneficial for all skin types including dry skin. The key is choosing the right formula. A...
What is the best sunscreen for dry skin?
For dry skin, the best sunscreen is one with a cream or lotion texture that includes moisturising ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid,...