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Obviously the Dr. Sheth’s Haldi and Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen SPF 50 isn’t for Indian skin only. I just picked that headline because it is pretty hard to get it anwhere else. And one of the most common questions I get on my video review (linked below and published quite a while ago) is: „How did you get that?“
No big secret here. I have a friend from India, doing her PhD in my hometown that shares my passion for skincare and that after lengthy debates about what makes a good sunscreen and the woes of hyperpigmentation on skin of color used a trip back to her parents to raid the local pharmacies to find sunscreen that was locally available and still fit our requirements.
Which are, truth be told, slightly different as she leans more on the dry side while I, at least when testing that SPF, was still part of the oily skins crew.
What the Dr. Sheth’s Haldi & Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen claims
Dr. Sheth’s Haldi & Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen is a hybrid, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50+ PA+++ that not only protects against UV A/B rays & blue light but also hydrates & repairs a compromised skin barrier. Enriched with potent Hyaluronic Acid – the gold standard of hydration, this SPF multitasks for your skin by locking in deep hydration, repairing & plumping.
What’s even better is its lightweight, non-greasy texture blends effortlessly without leaving a white cast & keeps skin extremely hydrated.
Get your dual-powered sunscreen that protects from sun damage & brightens skin!
Facts about the Dr. Sheth’s Haldi & Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen
Prize and size
One tube contains 50 ml and is available for 469 Rupees, which is around 5,16 €. If you get it from a third party source, it is of course much more expensive and might be of questionable origin, so I can’t provide you with links here..
Texture and smell
It is a thicker, yellowish cream – the color might come from the Tumeric Extract added – that on the skin melts into a watery gel formula that is very easy to spread and leaves only a light tackiness behind. There is absolutely no scent.
How to use the Dr. Sheth’s Haldi & Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen
I admit I was surprised how easy the cream was to apply, it initially felt much more substantial than it was on the skin. The watery texture after application meant I could easily spread it everywhere and I experienced no stinging or irritation when I brought it right up around the eyes. It also has absolutely no white cast, not on me, but also not on my friend, and I suppose that is what they refer to when they say “for Indian skin”.
It adds a little glow to my face and is quite hydrating to the point that for my skin it is too much in the summer heat.
Ingredients of the Dr. Sheth’s Haldi & Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen
sunsc, Octocrylene sunsc, Phospholipids sii|emo, 1,3 Butylene glycol h|solv 0 1, Propanediol solv|h, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil emo 0 0, Sodium Polyacrylate vc, Xylitol h, Curcuma Longa Root Extract aox|so|sb|perf, Caprylic Acid surf|emu|perf 3 1, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Cyclopentasiloxane emo|solv, Titanium Dioxide sunsc|col, Zinc Oxide sunsc 0 1, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate emo, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate emu|vc, Isostearic Acid surf|emu, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice so|h, Phenoxyethanol pres, Trehalose h, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Tocopherol Acetate aox 0 0, Allantoin so 0 0, Licorice Extract 
so|sb, Sodium Benzoate pres, Benzyl Alcohol pres|perf|solv|vc, Melanin, Sodium Gluconate chel|hHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Looking at the filters we will see that Dr. Sheth’s version is a hybrid sunscreen, meaning it uses both inorganic filters like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as well as organic filters, namely Octinoxate, Avobenzone and Octocrylene. (More info: Physical, chemcial and mineral sunscreen – What is the difference?)
These are perfectly fine filters unless you have sensitivities against them, but none of them qualifies as “modern filters” used in other sunscreens from Asia or things like the La Roche Posay UVMune 400. This lack of modern filters paired with the probably sparing use of inorganic filters to avoid white cast leads to a rating of SPF 50, but only PA +++, so not the highest possible UVA protection, especially important for those that want to target pigmentation issues – here a high UVA rating is necessary. (More info: What is UVA protection and why should you care?)
What I really appreciate is that they publish the SPF testing results on their website.
As additional skin beneficial ingredients you will find 1% Hyaluronic Acid as humectant, 1% Tumeric Extract used for its antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties, Allantoin and Aloe Vera Juice for soothing and Licorice Root Extract aiming to target hyperpigmentation. (More info: The benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in skincare explained and The benefits of Licorice Root in skincare explained)
More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products
Does it live up to its claims?
Mostly yes.
It protects against UVA and UVB rays and is very hydrating. On top of that it has additional ingredients that could help brighten the skin, but even if they don’t, wearing a good SPF is an essential step in treating existing hyperpigmentation. Why it is supposed to repair the skin barrier though is unclear for me, although I guess hydration will be beneficial here.
How does it compare to…
La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 SPF
La Roche Posay is my sunscreen of choice for summer and to prevent my hyperpigmentation from worsening as it has very good protection against UVA radiation and is also quite lightweight for a water resistant product. It is more expensive and less hydrating than Dr. Sheth’s version, but for me the better choice if hyperpigmentation is the main concern.
You can read my full review of the La Roche Posay UVMune 400 SPF here
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend it to?
Overall it is a nice sunscreen that is probably best suited for normal to dry skin types, but not one I would reach for when hyperpigmentation is my main issue. I won’t repurchase (I don’t think I would be able to anyway), but if you are based in India (or traveling there) with normal to dry skin, it is a nice one to try.
Shop my favorite sunscreens here
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