Sports is a religion in India. You will find almost every alternate street flooded with girls and boys, young and old, playing one or the other sport.
Cricket, badminton, kabaddi, running, cycling, swimming, etc., are some sports that people in India play for recreation and to keep themselves fit.
Most said sports are outdoors in nature, requiring the players to be out in the sun. While it is always fun playing sports, the sun can play a spoilsport if you do not protect yourself against its harsh UV (ultraviolet) rays.
So, how can you protect yourself from the harmful UV rays emitted by the scorching sun? The easiest way to do this is to wear sunscreen.
Sunscreen and sports
You may have often seen cricketers wearing a white-coloured cream on their faces during the match. Ever wondered what it is? It is a sunscreen that protects the players against the dangerous UV rays emitted by the burning Sun.
Just like these cricketers, who have prolonged exposure to the sun, anybody and everybody who wants to enjoy playing outdoor sports during the day must apply sunscreen to protect themselves from the UV rays. Sunscreen acts like a protective shield and protects the exposed parts of the body from the harmful UV rays. The sunscreen blocks the sun’s rays and does not allow them to interact with your body. It is a must since overexposure to these UV rays can cause skin cancer, apart from other teething issues like sunburn, tan, rashes, skin ageing, etc. So, wear sunscreen if you want to enjoy playing your favourite sport without worrying about your skin.
Important features of a sports sunscreen
A good sunscreen is typically sweat resistant, oil-free and water-proof. This means that the sunscreen can withstand sweat and water and stay right on the skin, despite the intervention. Such sunscreens, which are sweat-resistant, oil-free, and water-proof, are called physical sunscreens.
They are usually made from natural ingredients like zinc and oxygen, making them conducive for any skin type. Besides, there are some sunscreens which contain aloe vera. Aloe vera gives a lovely fragrance to the sunscreen and creates the experience of wearing sunscreen more enjoyable.
Sunscreens are available in different SPFs (sun protection factor), for instance, SPF 30, SPF 50, etc. The different SPFs indicate the quantity of protection that is offered by sunscreen. A sunscreen with SPF 30 protects 97 percent from the harsh UV rays of the scorching sun, while a sunscreen with SPF 50 protects 98 percent from the damaging UV rays of the baking sun. You can choose the sunscreen based on your requirements.
Best sunscreen for playing sports
While there are umpteen numbers of sunscreens on offer in the market, you need to select the best one. A sunscreen made from natural ingredients has no side effects, which offers good protection against the harmful UV rays emitted by the sun, is water-resistant, sweat-proof, oil-free, and can be applied to different skin types should be considered while purchasing a sunscreen.
