Why is this even a top-selling sunscreen on Nykaa? My hypothesis is that we are all complete suckers for anything labelled “anti-pollution!”
Happy Skin Days’ sunscreen test
Harmful chemicals present?
The harmful chemical present is Oxybenzone. I am not a fan of this ingredient, as its a hormonal disruptor and a known skin allergen.
If you’d like more details on the deleterious effects of Oxybenzone, please read my blog, Chemicals to Avoid – Oxybenzone) for more details.
Many of you don’t care about Oxybenzone and that’s your prerogative. If this is the case, then this sunscreen provides completely adequate UVA and UVB protection and it is photostable.
Is the sunscreen at least SPF 30? Does it contain UVA and UVB filters?
The product is an SPF 50 and it does contain UVA and UVB filters. Both UVA and UVB have been implicated in skin cancer and photo-aging (see LINK for more details on damages caused).
UVA and UVB filters
The filters present are:
- UVB filter: Homosalate (4%), Octocrylene (4%)
- Broadspectrum (UVA and UVB filters): Oxybenzone (1.5%) and Titanium Dioxide (10.9%)
Titanium Dioxide at close to 11% in this product is providing the bulk of protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. It is a better, superior UVB filter as its protection against UVA radiation starts to taper off (see below). To ensure there is sufficient coverage in the UVA region, this product uses Oxybenzone, which I am not a fan of.
Together all the filters provide superior UVB protection and adequate UVA protection. Its not the best sunscreen you can buy at Rs 2,750 but it does the job its meant to do.
Where can I buy this product?
The brand’s website. Here is the LINK or if you live in India, on Nykaa. Because of Indian currency devaluation, it’s cheaper to buy this product on Nykaa at the moment.
I will leave you with sunscreen best practices! Drop me a line if you have any questions at email@happyskindays.com
See also
Make-up products are not a replacement for good old sunscreen
Top 5 sunscreen recommendations
*******
COPYRIGHT
I wish to remind some of you that I am a non-affiliated skincare blogger. I invest my time, money, blood, sweat, and tears in creating content for my blog. My blog is read in multiple countries and according to my lawyers, each of those countries protects my content and rights under copyright law. If you would like to use my content, do the right thing, and write to me at email@happyskindays.com. Don’t be that person who steals content, because it’s arrogant, disrespectful, and ultimately, a crime.