Kathmandu sits at roughly 1,400 meters, and UV intensity climbs with elevation, so a sunscreen rated fine for a lowland city can still underperform here if you're not reapplying enough, or if the texture is heavy enough that you skip reapplication out of sheer annoyance. The formula matters as much as the SPF number on the label.
Broad spectrum, not just a high number
SPF measures UVB protection. PA rating measures UVA. A high SPF with no PA rating, or a low one, isn't giving you full coverage no matter how big the SPF number looks. Look for both numbers, not just the one that's easier to market.
Texture decides whether you'll actually reapply
The best sunscreen on paper is worthless if it's too heavy, too white-casting, or too greasy to reapply midday, which is exactly when Kathmandu's UV is at its strongest. A lighter, fast-absorbing formula that you'll actually put back on beats a technically superior one sitting unused in a drawer.
Seasonal texture needs
Monsoon humidity calls for something that won't slide off with sweat. Winter's drier air can tolerate a slightly richer formula without feeling heavy. If you're only buying one bottle to last through both seasons, lean toward the lighter end, since a light sunscreen tolerates dry skin better than a rich one tolerates humidity and sweat.
The sunscreens currently in stock, shown below, are the ones that hold up to reapplication without the white cast or greasy finish that gets skipped after the first use. Stock changes, so what's listed here reflects what's actually available now rather than a fixed list that stops matching reality after a few months.
Do I need a different sunscreen for monsoon versus winter in Kathmandu?
Not strictly, but a lighter, more water-resistant formula holds up better in monsoon humidity, while winter's drier air tolerates slightly richer textures without feeling heavy.
Is a high SPF number enough on its own?
No. Check for a PA rating alongside it. SPF alone only measures UVB protection, not the UVA protection a PA rating indicates.
