Written by: Shukra | Image by: @hankaligroup

If you are applying the advised amount of sun protection on your skin daily, as well as re-applying every 2hours, then your Sunscreen should be running out way quicker than any other product in our routine. A 50 ml tube should last only about three weeks. This can get expensive…. real quick. A good way to reduce cost is to buy inexpensive sunscreens that fulfil all the necessary criteria. But, do these exist?

Here, I have reviewed the most popular budget sunscreens to guide you in making the best decision for your skin and pocket:

1. ALTRUIST DERMATOLOGIST SUNSCREEN – ₦5,000

This has both SPF 30 and SPF 50 variants and is one of the more popular ones for good reason. It comes in 100 ml and 200 ml bottles. It’s a broad spectrum water resistant, hybrid sunscreen with a broad range of photo-stable filters, including Tinosorb A2B. It’s got a greasy finish that secures your spot in the ‘glazed-doughnut gang’. This is one of the best sunscreens I’ve used in the past year and costs less than ₦5,000 for 200ml. The titanium dioxide in the formula might be its only downside in the SPF 30 bottle, as it leaves a whitish-blue cast (that mostly disappears in a few minutes, except around the hairline), in darker skin.

2. GAVIA SUNBLOCK AND WHITENING CREAM – ₦3,000 – ₦6,000

A broad protection sunblock with SPF 60 in a 200g bottle, beloved for the price: between ₦3,000 – ₦6,000. It claims to contain a whitening agent to even out skin discoloration although the INCI list says otherwise. It does not leave a white cast but has a matte feel that might be uncomfortable for dry skin.

3. DR. RASHEL SUN CREAM ANTI AGEING

This emollient sunscreen also has gold and collagen to help ‘tighten’ the skin. It is a broad spectrum, ‘extra waterproof’ sunscreen with SPF 100. Titanium dioxide is the main filter in this, which means darker skin types might want to watch out for the white cast.

4. DISAAR SUNSCREEN INSTANT PROTECTION – less than ₦1,000

A 40ml sunscreen in a package that belies its price. It’s a broad spectrum protection, oil-free, non-comedogenic formula with a lightweight feel that keeps you feeling more hydrated than greasy as might be obtainable with other sunscreens in this range. It’s touted as being best for wear under foundation which might explain the cast it leaves otherwise.

Dermatologists advise us to wear broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day, even on overcast days and inside. Remember to reapply as well. To be certain you are getting the best protection from your sunscreen, you need to use the right amount (pea size doesn’t cut it anymore – ever heard about the two-finger rule?), and often.