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Re-application of Sunscreen {Sunscreen}

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Treat this as the second part to yesterday’s sermon on sunscreen. Sometimes I do feel my posts sound like sermons? It’s ok. You need not be polite 😛 Anyways, lets proceed.

So, where was I? Yeah, I was talking about how much sunscreen to apply. I finished with that and left you to think about re-application! This is probably one of the most frustrating routines of skin care. And, there are quite many roadblocks to reapply sunscreen.
I have makeup on!
Sunscreen is supposed to go under makeup and not over, right? So, how can I reapply it? Well, fair enough!
Its so yucky!
The two finger rule itself not being enough, you have to apply the same amount of sunscreen every two hours. How many layers of stickiness should I have on?
Fortunately, quite a lot of high-end sunscreens are coming matte. So, you can probably go with reapplications. But, seriously, I am the wrong person to answer this.
I use Marie Veronique Organics Moisturizing Face Screen and one pump of it itself makes my face oily after a few minutes and using more of it is way too difficult. I have tried re-application but honestly my work place also doesn’t facilitate the process.

Taking a sunscreen bottle to the washroom kinda looks weird to me. I don’t do touch-ups there so I have only one application and the days I try re-applying, the tint gets too much for the skin and either it shows up as patches or white cast!
One of the ways to reapply the sunscreen is by removing the previously applied layer. Well, there is a huge hitch in that. If you have makeup on, you can obviously not remove the entire thing and reapply so that goes a little impractical as well.
So, the answer again comes back to the same thing – apply according to your schedule and amount of time you would be spending outside. If you stay inside, there is no need for re-application. But, you might go for just one thin layer so as to protect yourself from the light and computer radiations. 
But, you have a team outing or a shopping spree planned, you can go for a thick application. In such cases, always make sure you have applied a thicker-than-usual amount of sunscreen and follow with lighter makeup. Also, make sure that the loose powder you do touch-ups with has adequate protection. 
Though, I would like to make another point here. Just as a bit of sunscreen doesn’t really provide any protection, a bit of loose powder dusted on the face doesn’t give spf 25 amount of protection. For that much of protection, you need almost 1/4th of the product quantity.
What do you do? Do you re-apply your sunscreen? How do you protect yourself when outside all day long?
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Application of Sunscreen {Sunscreen}

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How can any summer pass-by without me talking about sunscreen :-O That would be a travesty 😀 Anyways, the reason I did not write about sunscreen till now is first because I wasn’t serious on the blog and second I have written so much on the topic last year. So, if you missed it, you can check out the entire list of posts here.

Anyways, coming back to today’s topic, one thing I have always remained indecisive about is how much sunscreen should be applied. Last time I wrote about this topic, I mentioned the two fingers rule. But, that is actually impractical and I had realized it long back. But, I still tried my best to keep up with it!
But, I was always skeptical and I read a lot on that topic. So, here are my pennies on it.
Two finger rule holds
Yes, you actually have to apply that much sunscreen to give yourself optimum protection. But, re-application is necessary.

Apply according to the Day’s Schedule
If you know you are going to spend the entire day in hot sun, you SHOULD follow the above rule. And, if you already know you will sit inside the house or office and roam only till the in-house canteen or washroom, you can apply enough to cover yourself for the time you are outside.
So, decide according to your needs and schedule. Do not follow any rule blindly but don’t take things in a stride and ignore them either! Its a very delicate balance.
What if my day is unplanned?
Yes, this is worst of the situations! And, always remember that applying sunscreen doesn’t prevent tanning. And, just like you are always ready when it comes to waxing your legs or getting your facials done on time, same rule applies here as well.
Apply sunscreen everyday whether you go out or not and if the outing is sudden, just make do with as much application as possible in the bare minimum of the time. This is where physical sunscreens come more effective as well.
They start working as soon as you apply them whereas the chemical ones need 20-30 minutes of incubation to start working. And, then, when you are outside for the entire day, make sure you reapply the sunscreen every two hours and follow the two finger rule on all parts of the body, specially which are naked.
So, how much amount of sunscreen do you apply everyday?
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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?

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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:

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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

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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

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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.

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