Do we truly need a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50, or is it just savvy marketing? How do we know which sunblock is right for us? These are questions that have come up since the very public stand-off between Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), the parent company of Lakme, and Honasa Consumer Limited, the parent company of MamaEarth, over whose sunscreen is better. 

In recent times, online discourse over sun protection skincare has leaned towards misinformation. And Gen Z seems to be the most susceptible to it. In a May 2024 survey, the American Academy of Dermatology found that 52 per cent of Gen Z adults were unaware of one or more risks of sunburn, such as increased odds of skin cancer or premature skin aging. In fact, while over 50 per cent of Americans get a grade of A or B for their sun protection knowledge, 32 per cent of Gen Z adults receive a failing grade of D or F.