Your go-to guide to smarter sun protection against the blazing Singapore sun

It’s no secret that sun exposure can spell trouble for our skin, linking directly to skin cancer and speeding up the ageing process. Yet, in sunny Singapore, staying indoors just isn’t an option. Thankfully, we’re not helpless in the face of the sun’s rays. With a blend of technology and savvy, we can shield our skin effectively and enjoy the outdoors without worry.

Know thy enemy

Ever glanced at your weather app to check the rain but ignored the UV index? It’s time to start paying attention. Apple’s Weather App offers a clear UV index reading that can guide your sun protection choices throughout the day. Knowing when the UV rays are at their fiercest helps you decide when to seek shade or reapply sunscreen.

But for those who crave more detail, apps like SunSmart Global UV and UVLens take things up a notch. SunSmart doesn’t just keep you updated; it offers sun protection times tailored to your locality, making it a breeze to plan safer outdoor adventures. Meanwhile, UVLens gets personal, allowing you to create a skin profile and providing bespoke advice to keep your skin shielded every minute you’re outside.

And for the tech enthusiasts, there’s the Shade device—a real game-changer. This nifty wearable feeds live UV exposure data right to your smartphone, alerting you when you’re close to hitting your sun safety limit. It’s like having a personal sun care assistant right on your wrist.

Shields up

Is your sunscreen really covering all the bases? Check out UV cameras. These clever gadgets, once bulky and expensive, have shrunk in size and price, becoming a practical pick for anyone serious about sun protection. They operate on a simple yet fascinating principle: using a UV transmitting filter, these cameras allow UV radiation to pass through while blocking visible and infrared light. This technology lets you see, quite literally in black and white, exactly where your sunscreen is effectively applied. Areas covered with sunscreen appear dark because they absorb UV light, whereas missed spots shine brightly.

This visual feedback is invaluable, providing a foolproof method to ensure every inch of exposed skin is protected. With these innovative devices, you can quickly scan your skin for any areas that might have been overlooked during sunscreen application, ensuring that you are covered from every angle. Portable UV mirrors equipped with these cameras, which now cost as low as $50, make it easy to check your sunscreen coverage on the go, eliminating any guesswork and enhancing your sun safety regimen.

Level up on sunscreen

Gone are the days of sticky, greasy sunscreens that leave you feeling like you’ve bathed in cooking oil. Today’s formulas are a dream to apply—light, non-greasy, and invisible on the skin. Take Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion, for example. Its SynchroShield technology reacts to heat, water, and sweat to bolster your UV barrier just when you need it most. Perfect for those of us who love an active lifestyle.

And let’s tip our hats to the Aussies like Ultra Violette, who are pushing sunscreen boundaries with formulations that are as kind to your skin as they are tough on UV rays. These sunscreens not only protect but also pamper, making them a pleasure to wear. Their commitment to combining high UV protection with skin-loving ingredients ensures that applying sunscreen is no longer a chore but a delightful part of your skincare regimen.

Our picks for smarter sun protection

Global Suncare The Perfect Protector SPF 50+ PA++++, $68, Shiseido

This sunscreen has an advanced formula engineered to fortify your skin against the full spectrum of UV rays with its innovative SynchroShield technology. Not only does it enhance protection when exposed to heat, water, or perspiration, but it also boasts a lightweight, comfortable texture that blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving no trace behind. Ideal for those seeking maximum defence with minimal fuss, it’s your skin’s new best ally against the sun’s relentless rays.

Perfect Renew 5D Sun Protector Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ , $60, LANEIGE

This ultra-lightweight essence is designed to deliver high-level sun protection while addressing five dimensions of skin health: hydration, smoothness, luminosity, firmness, and clarity. Infused with skin-nourishing ingredients and LANEIGE’s exclusive Water Science™ technology, this essence not only shields your skin from harmful UV rays but also revitalises and maintains its youthful glow. Perfect for daily use, it absorbs quickly without any white cast, making it an essential step in your morning skincare routine.

Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF 50+, $56, Ultra Violette

Ultra Violette’s Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF 50+ combines broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection with a rich, moisturising base that deeply nourishes the skin. Enriched with antioxidants and Australian botanicals, it defends against UV rays and environmental aggressors while maintaining a velvety finish that acts as a perfect primer for makeup. Ideal for all skin types, this skinscreen ensures your complexion remains hydrated and shielded throughout the day, making it a must-have in your skincare arsenal.

The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50, $105, Tatcha

This exquisite formulation of Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen blends cutting-edge SPF 50 protection with their signature blend of silk extracts, creating a veil of silk on the skin that smooths and refines. Lightweight and sheer, it glides on effortlessly, providing an invisible finish that enhances your skin’s natural radiance. Enriched with Japanese green tea, rice, and algae, is ideal for those seeking a sunscreen that also acts as a perfecting primer under makeup.

UV Daily Tone Up Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ , $110, Sulwhasoo

This sunscreen not only offers robust SPF 50+ PA++++ protection but also enhances your complexion with its tone-up effect that brightens and evens out skin tone. Infused with traditional Korean herbal ingredients, it revitalises the skin while defending against daily environmental aggressors. Its lightweight formula absorbs quickly, leaving no white cast, and provides a luminous, soft-focus finish. Perfect for those seeking a high-performance sunscreen that also improves skin’s overall appearance.

UV Protective Cream SPF 50+ PA ++++ , $175, Clé de Peau Beauté

Clé de Peau Beauté’s UV Protective Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ shields skin from intense UV rays while combating photoaging. Enriched with skin-enhancing ingredients and Clé de Peau Beauté’s Illuminating Complex EX, it deeply hydrates and improves skin quality, leaving a radiant, silky finish. Perfect for those who demand the highest level of sun protection combined with a touch of everyday indulgence, this cream maintains skin’s moisture and resilience against environmental stressors.

This article was originally published in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.