No one needs to tell the people of the sub-continent about how harsh the sun can be. We’re acutely aware that it can be fatally dehydrating at worst and excessively tanning at its best. But in our daily tussle with the sun we often overlook how it adversely affects the one organ it’s always in direct contact with: our skin. You might be prone to skipping sunscreen for a variety of reasons; being lazy, running late or even thinking it’s not sunny enough. Worse still it might not even a part of your skincare routine at all. This could genuinely be the most harmful thing you’re doing to your skin and the effects are long term.

It sounds ominous and it is! You will regret not having worn sunscreen when you look at your skin compared to friends and family who have worn daily sunscreen 20 years from now. Sun damage causes wrinkles, dark spots, textural changes in your skin and excessive exposure can also increase your risk of protracting skin cancer. You can buy all the wrinkle creams in the world, but if you’re not wearing sunscreen, it’s not going to matter. In fact, most dermatologists say that sunscreen is the single most effective skin-care product there is - at least, if you’re looking to avoid sun damage, premature aging, and melanoma (not necessarily in that order).

The damage to skin is caused by the sun’s ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays are long-wave solar waves that penetrate the skin more deeply – even on a cloudy day – and are considered the biggest cause of wrinkling and changes in the texture of your skin. UVB rays are short-wave solar waves that are more potent than UVA in causing sunburn and are the chief culprit in the development of skin cancer. The British pharmaceutical store Boots developed their UVA star rating in 1992: if a sunscreen filters out as much UVA as UVB, it gets the maximum 4 stars. If it filters only 75 per cent it gets 3 stars and so on. Choose your SPF first, then make sure that your chosen product also has 4 stars, giving you maximum UVA protection.

Now that we’ve established that sunscreen is an essential, not just in summer but throughout the year because you’re dealing with invisible rays that are a permanent part of our atmosphere, let’s get down to business. With so many formulations available in the market it can be a bit daunting to pick out the right one. The wrong sunscreen can be plain annoying: greasy, sticky, or incompatible with make-up. It’s an easy thing to skip if you’re expecting the worst, even if you know why it’s important to wear.

Here’s what to look for when you’re out shopping for sunscreen. Check for labels that say "broad spectrum," "wide spectrum," or "UVA/UVB protection." Older bottles may only protect against UVB rays, the ones responsible for causing sunburn and skin cancer, but you need UVA protection as well, since these rays lead to tanning, wrinkles, and skin cancer. As long as you store it in a cool, dry place with the cap on tightly, sunscreen should last up to three years. Just be sure to check the expiration date and be aware of any weird texture or smells. If the cap wasn’t on tight, spring for a new bottle. Don’t skimp on the lotion. Use the amount that would fit in a shot glass to cover your entire body. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outside, and re-apply every two hours, since sweating and swimming can wear off sunscreen, even the ones that are labelled as waterproof.

To conclude, in the wise words of Baz Lurhmann, "Ladies and Gentleman, wear sunscreen."