Do you really need sunscreen on a cloudy day?

Image: monsoonsalon.com

Ah, the relief that monsoon brings—cool rainy days to beat the harsh summer heat, especially in a hot, humid city like Mumbai. While I know that friends in UK, US and other places are enjoying their summer and clear skies, for a change, we Mumbaikars are rejoicing the refreshing monsoon.

A change in the season usually indicates a change in skincare too. So, while I’m ditching the cooling ingredients that were my go-to in the summer, talked about in detail here, I’m more careful than ever about continuing using sunscreen.

Many people, including my beloved husband, believe that ‘no sun = no sunscreen’. Not true! Just because you cannot see the sun does not mean its rays don’t reach you.

UVB rays (which cause burning/tanning) and UVA rays (which cause ageing) are nasty things that must be avoided, not because you care about vanity but to prevent skin cancer.

On cloudy/rainy days, you may not get burned by the UVB rays as the clouds block them, UVA rays still manage to get through the cloud cover and cause skin damage. Experts even say that if the UVA rays bounce off the edge of certain clouds, their intensity increases. Furthermore, if the cloud cover is thin, they may not be able to block even the UVB rays.

Bottom line is ‘don’t forget your sunscreen’.

Enjoy your monsoon!

At the beginning

Writing the very first post for any blog is a bit awkward--much like the first day of school, first date, first day of professional life and many such firsts.

But every story has a beginning and so does this. After having blogged (on and off) for more than ten years now--I think my first blog ever was created in 2004--this is my third one. And while my first blog (no longer functional) is floating somewhere in the blogosphere as you read this, the second one is very much active.

So, coming back to this new baby. Why create another blog when you already have one up and running? The reason is a completely new passion of mine, which doesn't really fit under the description of 'the daydreamer'.

Skincare.

Yes, you could get a bit dreamy about skincare products or flawlessly beautiful skin, technically speaking, but this blog is not about that.

This blog is about being skincare-savvy, 'listening' to your skin, figuring out why some things in skincare and makeup work while others don't, how to make the most of what you have whether physiologically or financially, how to shop like a smart customer when it comes to skincare and makeup and then some more. To sum it up, this blog is about being a Skin Sleuth.

So, here it goes.