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What happens when you do not use Sunscreen? {Sunscreen}

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This post is specially for people who have not yet adapted this routine thinking it to be just a frivolous stuff. Well, may be it was and that was the doubt which made me do this little experiment. I forgo-ed sunscreen for almost two weeks and now I am putting up these findings.

I have been using sunscreen more or less regularly since a year. And, I apply sunscreen only once in a day. But, I do apply a good amount of it for proper protection. And, yes, I do go out in the peak time of 10 AM – 4 PM as well. So, lets get on the with my findings.
My arms are back to whatever state they were tanned prior to my use of sunscreen. Interestingly, I observed the tanning only after a couple of days without sunscreen. The first day I didn’t apply sunscreen, my skin was looking more or less the same. 
Talking about the face and neck, yes, they are also tanned. Not as much as my arms coz I did use sunscreen on and off. And, I am using a lightening oil as well at night to combat this tanning but still I know that my complexion has grown darker. 
So, now that I know that sunscreen is extremely important to preserve my skin complexion, I would try not to skip it. And, this is my first advise to everyone who love their skin. Oh! Btw, please remember that the benefits of using sunscreen are apparent only if you use the proper amount and after around a month of use. That’s when you will see changed in your skin, be it color or texture. 
So, what do you think? Do you find yourself getting tanned whenever you skip sunscreen? 

Related Posts:

How many times do you avoid sun at noon? {Your Opinion}

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This has been my issue since quite long. So, I thought I would pose this question to you all. How easy or difficult do you think is avoiding sun at the peak time in the noons? For me, its always the noons when I can get my works done or find time to go out for shopping or anything!!! Especially, when on a vacation, you are always out in the noons. So, how do you exactly avoid the sun in the peak time of 10-4? 

For me, I do put on a lot of sunscreen which gives me protection and use umbrella and scarf both to avoid the sun. But, sometimes, its just not possible!! Anyway, reapplication of sunscreen is very important when you tend to stay out so please bear that in mind. Also, its very important to follow with an after-sun treatment so as to control some of the damage done to the skin. But, it is advisable to avoid sun at the peak time at any cost. 
So, what do you say?

Nivea Sun Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 PA++ {Product Review}

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Price: Rs 299 for 125ml

Pros
gets absorbed really easily
no white cast
is non-sticky as it says
also, water resistant
doesn’t get greasy!!
Cons
the ingredients are not stable so has to be reapplied every one to two hours without fail
less on UVA protection coz its just PA++ and not PA+++
My Experience
When I had started using this after its counterpart, I was very happy because of no white cast issues. Its of the same consistency but gets absorbed really easily and can be applied in any amount. It doesn’t even get greasy and doesn’t feel sticky which is one of the best features of the product.

This time, I took out time to analyze the ingredients. Check out the image but I noticed that they do not have any stabilizing agents. [Read about sunscreen ingredients here.] Because of which, I did notice tanning on my hands because I do not reapply the sunscreen (which is very important) and I do go out in the noons, at the peak times when sun’s rays are strongest.
Why there was no tanning with the SPF 50 counterpart? Probably because spf 50 provides more protection and it left a white cast which prevented the sun’s rays from directly hitting the skin. I didn’t analyze the other’s ingredients either so this is just hazarding a guess!!
PS: Product sent by brand.
Other products from Nivea:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Moisture SPF 50+ PA+++ {Product Review}

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Price: Rs 349 for 30ml

Pros
doesn’t leave the skin dry if you skip moisturizer
no tint so you can apply enough sunscreen for full protection
Cons
expensive
not for oily skin
gets greasy sometimes (may be depends on skin type)
My Experience

I have been using this suncreen since the time it was launched in June. It comes in a 30ml pack and is way more expensive than its counterpart but I have not really found much of a difference. Anyway, the packaging is a white bottle with a very thin nozzle which dispenses a little product. 

The product is white and creamy in consistency but very thin. But, the weird thing is that even a little product does get greasy on the face so applying enough of sunscreen really becomes difficult. Also, a little excess of product and you are left with a white cast as well. I, almost always, had to blot out the excess of product after applying the product (after leaving it on for 15-20 minutes to get absorbed). 
Regarding the efficacy of the sunscreen, I am really not sure if it gives the same protection as the dry touch. Because, I did find my skin tanned and dark in between and since some days, I have been again using the dry touch which has considerably prevented my face from tanning. And, the skin is looking a little brighter as well. 
So, I am back to the previous sunscreen for now!! But, I do think that this sunscreen will suit the dry skin beauties really well. The dry touch is matte and this one is moisturizing. I do skip moisturizer whenever I use this and it never made my skin feel dry. The only issue is that this sunscreen finishes off in a month 🙁 Well, remember that you have to apply sunscreen adequately for proper protection?? 
Btw, have you used this product? How was your experience?
Other products from Neutrogena:

Neutrogena Deep Clean Shampoo
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
Neutrogena Body Lotion Light Sesame Formula
Neutrogena Rainbath Refreshing Shower and Bath Gel
Neutrogena French Milled Soap
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Clean Conditioner

Nivea Sun Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50 PA++ {Product Review}

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Price: Rs 399 for 125ml

Ingredients
I am skipping on this part because I couldn’t get a better pic 🙁 Sorry, guys!!!

Pros
– a medium consistency lotion which spreads easily
– smells nice
– does protect from tanning
Cons
– white cast!!!
– little issue with blending
– its PA++ and not PA+++ (the 3 +’s give highest protection against UVA rays)
My Experience
Since you all are already aware of my stringent requirements when it comes to sunscreen, doing an unbiased review is pretty difficult for me. I have needed a body sunscreen since long and this one came at the right time. And, Nivea being on the top of my beloved brands, the products did make me curious and I was very happy when I got a chance to try the products.
To begin with, the lotion is of a medium consistency and is pleasantly perfumed which doesn’t bother the nose and doesn’t linger on the skin either. It is of a soft yellow color and spreads easily on the skin. Now, this is where the trouble with the product begins. It spreads easily but it sits on top of my skin (which I have no issue with since its a sun protector).
But, it leaves a horrible amount of white cast which makes it absolutely impossible to use the exact amount of sunscreen which is actually required to achieve the said protection. One arm needs a tea spoonful of sunscreen which is around 5ml and I am hardly able to apply a really huge dollop on both hands 🙁 
I have not tested the sunscreen under stringent conditions because I got them a month back when I was in Delhi and in Hyderabad, it has been cloudy since then. In the meantime, I do go out in the afternoons around 11-2 PM slot and apply my sunscreen once right in the morning. 
Also, if you have read my posts on sunscreens, I have ranted a lot about the regular sunscreen ingredients being not so stable and break down on exposure to sun so I don’t know if this sunscreen breaks down or not but its ingredients are all same. But, I won’t say that my arms have tanned seriously or anything. 
Also, there is one claim which bothers me a bit. The sunscreen talks about immediate protection. As far as my knowledge goes, the sunscreen ingredients take 15-30 minutes to get activated and form a shield on the skin to protect from the sun’s rays. So, as a precautionary measure, I always apply this at the same time I apply the sunscreen on my face. No, I haven’t used this on my face as I didn’t want the white cast.

One word about its water resistant power. Since it gives a very thick white cast, whenever I wash my hand, I can see a layer of the white film where the water touches my skin and initially, I had thought it to be water resistant. But, once I was caught up in the rain and the whole sunscreen literally bled from my hands and it was looking really bad coz I didn’t have hankie or napkin to wipe off the cast and my whole hand was looking painted white!!! So, yes, its not water resistant in a torrent of rain but it does have some resistance. 
Also, since I have ranted so much about this product’s negatives, let me state some positives about its counterpart product – spf 30 one. It doesn’t give any white cast and disappears into skin really well!!! I am loving it and my arms haven’t grown dark even though I apply it only once in a day!!!
PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.
Other products from Nivea:

Nivea Nourishing Body Milk
Winter Skin Care Lotions
Reminiscing Life through Beauty Products
Nivea Fruity Shine Dragon Fruit vs Pomegranate
Nivea Refreshing Cleansing Milk
Nivea Repair and Protection Lip Balm

Cellnique Paramedicals Derma Whitening Daytime Protection {Product Review}

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Price: 57$ (Rs 3000 around) for 30ml

Ingredients
Pros
– its a mineral sunscreen as well
– spreads easily and is not too creamy
Cons
– it leaves a lot of white cast!!!
– pretty expensive!! 
– the pump didn’t work for me 🙁 
My Experience

I am always on the look out for Zinc Oxide based sunscreens. So, this one caught my eye. I liked the packaging with the pump for the squeeze tube but, unfortunately, the pump didn’t work for me. I had to screw open the pump and squeeze out the sunscreen. 

The sunscreen is white in color and light in texture but enough creamy but again, not too creamy. And, depending on various days, I needed extra moisturizing sometimes and sometimes not. The light texture of the product allows it to spread easily and evenly on the skin.
But, there is a huge hitch in this. Since it has both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (I don’t know the ratios), the product leaves a lot of white cast on the skin which is very annoying. I have tried using the product on my arms as well and same issue there. 
And, it is definitely expensive for 30 ml of a product which would probably last two months!!! It needs to be reapplied because its a combination of mineral and chemical sunscreen. I wish they do something regarding the white cast. Also, I didn’t see any whitening or lightening of my skin tone.
PS: Product sent by brand.

Fun in SA with Kyra

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Me (on phone) : Hey Kyra, great news!!! The trip is on. 
Kyra (replies back) : Great!!! Let’s go shopping. Make a list of essentials and you know what tops the list, right??? Let’s meet at 2.
Me : Seriously??? Not again!! It will be blazing hot. 
Kyra : Oh come on, its not as if you are afraid of getting sun-burnt, are you?? Don’t forget the protection, obviously. 
Me : Yeah, but remember, no outdoors between 10 and 4??
Kyra : Yes, I know but are you gonna sit indoors in SA as well?? And, come on, its shopping for the trip!!

This was my conversation with my friend Kyra. We both are going off for a vacation this summer in the beautiful city of Johannesburg and are also covering Capetown. But, primarily we shall be spending our time at Suncity, the beautiful resort just two hours away from Johannesburg. The trip got confirmed yesterday when our parents said yes and passports and visa processing was started.So, now, we girls are gonna meet at 2 o’ clock to shop for everything!!

Yes, Kyra loves sun and I don’t. It gives me headaches. And, now, again I have to slap up a good amount of sunscreen to protect my skin. Gosh!! what life? So, talking about the shopping, we both are obsessed with something called ‘sunscreen’. And, since this is South Africa we are talking about with its temperatures from 23 to 30 degrees, we definitely don’t want to be sunburnt or miss out the fun on outdoor activities. So, miss anything or not, this is definitely gonna be there in our backpacks.

Me : Hey, so what all are we hoarding on?
Kyra : Not decided on the clothes but some scarfs and stoles and wide-brimmed hats and my favorite Lakme Sun Expert SPF 50…
Me : Not again!!

Lakme should seriously consider hiring Kyra as their brand ambassador, especially for their sun safe range. The way she goes on and on about their sunscreens is just too irritating. No, I don’t use Lakme and never have till date, in fact. Oh no, we do have a lot of arguments on my and her choice of sunscreen and several times she has tried converting me to hers!! Well, don’t think she has stopped trying coz that’s not Kyra!!

Me (in the shop) : I am gonna wear jeans so I don’t really need to get any thing. Lets look at some tees.
Kyra : Are you serious? What happened to the skirts and capris???
Me : Nah!! Then, I will have to apply the sunscreen on my legs too. Can’t handle that much. 
Kyra : I know very well why you don’t like it. You don’t like the heavy feel, right? Use mine and you won’t even feel like you have applied the sunscreen. Lakme is light and doesn’t really feel like you have applied anything. 
Me : Can you please spare the lec, all time!! I don’t wanna use it. 
Kyra : Fine! (and *winks*)

And, I know something is going about her brain. After we finish the shopping, I know the what the *wink* was for. She bought two sunscreens.

Me : Why you getting two sunscreens? You bought one just two weeks back!!
Kyra : Huh…yes. I am going on a vacation. What do you think, I might get finished with one half way through our vacation!! And what then? Use your yucky sunscreen?
Me : Really?? I very well think I might be forced into using yours!!
Kyra : Yeah, right!! As if you listen to me. 

But, I am pretty sure she is upto something. SA, save me from Kyra *pray*. 
This is an entry for The Lakme Diva Blogger Contest.
PS: Hey everyone, if you like the post, please vote for me here. 

PS1: Your comments would be highly appreciated. Do let me know if you liked or hated the entry. And, don’t forget to enter my giveaway. SA: South Africa. 

Image Courtesy: Lakme Facebook Page