Sand and Nile

The Journal

Notes on sun-care science, skin rituals and the making of a house.

Sunlit desert dunes under a high UV index sky

How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Desert Climates

UVA versus UVB, why SPF 50+ is the sensible baseline, water resistance, daily application, wearing sunscreen under makeup — and practical guidance for UAE and Middle East weather.

Science12 May 2026

Why SPF 50+ matters in desert light

UV intensity in arid climates can exceed index 11 for months at a time. Here is what that means for your skin.

Ritual28 April 2026

The two-finger rule, explained

Most people apply a quarter of the sunscreen they need. A simple measure fixes it.

Science9 April 2026

Blue light and the modern face

Screens are not the sun, but visible light still contributes to pigmentation.

House21 March 2026

Building Sand Touch: 34 formulations

Inside the two-year search for a filter system that disappears on every skin tone.

Ritual2 March 2026

Sunscreen and makeup: the right order

How to layer protection, primer and foundation without pilling.

Science14 February 2026

Reading an ingredient list like a formulator

Concentration, position and why the first five ingredients tell the story.