We all have unique skin types. What works for one person may not work for another. So how do you choose a sunscreen that is best suited for your skin type? And is there a sunscreen that works best for all skin types? Let us shed some light on the various factors you should consider when picking the best sunscreen for your skin type.

1. Broad Spectrum

There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that you need to shield yourself from - UVA and UVB rays. Therefore, it is important to use a broad spectrum sunscreen i.e sunscreen with the right amount of SPF and a high PA rating
SPF level or Sun protection indicates how much UVB rays your sunscreen can filter out. The higher the SPF level, the higher the amount of protection you will get from your sunscreen. A sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is necessary for maximum protection.

PA rating indicates your sunscreen’s ability to block out UVA rays. It ranges from PA+ to PA++++, the latter being the highest. Therefore, a good level of UVA (PA) protection such as PA+++ and above is a must.

2. Ingredients

There are two types of sunscreens - Physical/Mineral sunscreen and Chemical sunscreen. While both offer protection from the sun, their composition is distinct. Choose a sunscreen that uses mainly physical UV blockers like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These are mineral-based and don’t penetrate the upper layers of the skin. They are much less likely to cause allergies or reactions when compared to chemical UV filters, especially for those with sensitive skin.

3. Skin Type

It all comes down to individual skin type. Here are a few tips on how to select a sunscreen based on your skin type - 

Dry Skin

A chemical sunscreen with a moisturising base might feel the best for those with dry skin. However it is very important to use a chemical sunscreen with enough broad spectrum protection and not just a high SPF rating. A better choice would be to use a good moisturiser first and apply a physical sunscreen on top.

Normal Skin

For normal skin it is always advisable to choose a sunscreen that is broad spectrum with at least SPF 30 and PA+++ rating.

Sensitive Skin

For sensitive skin, it's best to pick a sunscreen with the least amount of additional actives and ingredients. Using a product with multiple actives will lead to a lot of confusion if your skin does react to a particular ingredient. The best product for sensitive skin would be a physical sunscreen in simple formulation without fragrance or preservatives.

Oily Skin

Sunscreens with protective and antibacterial ingredients such as sandalwood are ideal for oily and acne prone skin. ZnO used in physical sunscreens also has an antimicrobial effect which is helpful. In addition, since physical sunscreen ingredients tend to be powders, they feel much better for those with oily skin.

Combination Skin

When choosing a sunscreen for combination skin, you should be careful. Your sunscreen should be hydrating but at the same time should not make your skin greasy. A lightweight sunscreen which gives a matte finish is your ideal choice.
In summary, no matter the skin type, you can never go wrong with a physical sunscreen!
The downside to physical sunscreen is that they leave a white cast or don’t get fully absorbed into the skin. But don’t worry, Sandiva Skincare has you covered!


Our One & Done Tinted Sunblock is a lightweight lotion with a beautiful mousse-like texture that offers you heavy-duty protection from UVA & UVB sun damage. It is specially formulated to prevent white cast and seamlessly blends into your skin as a one-step quick protection-and-light makeup routine in the morning. You’re surely wondering how that’s possible. This sunscreen is tinted and available in 4 different shades that blend with most Indian skin tones. This tint gets rid of the white cast by giving a satin-matte finish and leaves your face feeling smooth and radiant all through the day. 

A broad-spectrum SPF 35+ physical sunscreen, this sunblock uses Zinc Oxide to form a physical shield on top of your skin to provide continued protection until it is wiped or washed away. It has the highest PA rating of PA++++, which provides maximum protection against UVA rays, reducing the appearance of signs of ageing caused by them. The goodness of 100% pure, unadulterated Sandalwood, with its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it is perfect for protecting skin from sun damage and soothing skin inflammation. The beautiful natural tint is all thanks to the presence of iron oxides in it which take care of the enhanced protection against blue light such as screens & indoor lights. It is a great fit for all skin types. Since it is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, it is also the ideal sunscreen for sensitive skin.

What’s more, is that the One & Done Tinted Sunblock is completely photostable and resistant to water - so it won’t break down when exposed to the sun and will hold up through sweat and activities such as swimming for much longer. However, for continued protection throughout the day, timely reapplication is important. This is because, during the day, your sunscreen loses its potency because of ingredients wearing down, sweat, touching or wiping your face, and plenty of other daily activities. This reapplication often gets overlooked as it is not exactly convenient to reapply sunscreen, especially over your make-up. To address this, Sandiva has come up with a one-of-its-kind product - SPF Top-Up Loose Powder. The powder box conveniently fits into your bag so you can use it for any touch-ups throughout the day to refresh your skin and to stay protected from harmful UV rays.

For healthy and radiant skin sun protection is crucial and the easiest way to do it is by choosing the right sunscreen. By now you know which sunscreen is best suited for all skin types. To know more, read our blog on the physical sunscreen vs chemical sunscreen - the better choice?