In theory, our acknowledgement of the urgent need to apply sunscreen on a daily basis has come on leaps and bounds since a time when slathering on tanning oil and wizening yourself in the sun was deemed acceptable behaviour. But in practice, how many of us actually carry out this important part of a skincare ritual regularly enough?
Far from just a preventative aesthetic measure – prematurely crepey skin and lobster red sunburn are certainly not looks to covet – we all know that sunscreen and SPF-containing products protect us from the harmful, skin cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays present in the atmosphere on even the most overcast of days. To ensure that your skin-saving beauty products are never far from reach, it’s worth investing in lotions and potions that feel like a joy to apply. Look no further than this comprehensive list of the sunscreens you need in your life right now. With a selection of these to hand, you’ll never skip this vital skincare step again.
Body
Aesop Protective Body Lotion SPF 50
Containing spearmint leaf, panthenol and tocopherol, this lotion spritzes out in a watery, non-greasy texture providing instant refreshment and protection. With avocado oil it is beautifully moisturising and nourishing, and lavender oil makes for a particularly pleasant minty and medicinal scent.
Zelens Body Defence Sunscreen SPF 30
A transparent silky oil formulation, and water resistant for 40 minutes before the need to reapply, this product harbours a particularly botanical aroma and will provide your arms and legs with that much desired summery sheen. Screening against UVB and UVA rays, it can also be used on hair.
Susanne Kaufmann Sun Cream Cell Protection SPF 25
One look at Susanne Kaufmann’s skin is enough to want to invest in her namesake products made from organic alpine ingredients. A melon-scented body and face cream, her Sun Cream Cell protection is no different.
Sisley Super Soin Solaire Milky Body Mist SPF 30
One satisfying spritz of this milky mist from this Sisley’s chic tan-coloured aerosol will protect you from photo ageing effects of the sun, wrinkles, brown spots and dehydration. A product to give you a taste of that summer holiday in the south of France when all that’s feasible is lying on a half-broken sun lounger in your back garden.
Hair
A supremely softening conditioning milk for hair frazzled by the sun and various other forms of heat, Davines SU Hair Milk also protects from further damage on very hot days. Plus, it has a distinct scent of marzipan.
Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
Natural ingredients meet technology in this clear liquid spray containing coconut oil, sunflower seed oil and UV filters, helping to protect hair from drying out.
Lips
Aesop Protective Lip Balm SPF 30
A thick textured balm with zinc oxide, castor seed and tocopherol, this make-up bag sized tube is perfect to soothe very chapped lips all year round and at any time of day. Application tip: smooth on a thick layer and then buff off a small amount with a cotton bud for a mini exfoliating treatment.
Chantecaille Lip Screen Tint SPF 15
A shade of bubblegum pink, Chantecaille’s lip tint manifests as the sheer wash of colour when applied. The slippy balm formulation leaves you with protected and hydrated lips with a glossy lustre. Holiday romance-ready.
High
La Prairie Cellular Swiss UV Protection Veil SPF 50
La Prairie is a beauty brand which, for us, falls under the category of ‘the Rolls Royce of skincare’. Its feather light UV Protection Veil is a very pale pink, eliminating any possibility of a ghostly tinge to the skin, and providing a brightening effect for those with a dull complexion. The scent is reassuringly reminiscent of traditional suncream and the packaging could be described as work of art (in beauty terms, anyway).
For those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, or who have a penchant for French pharmacy products, this is the go-to suncare moisturiser for you. Containing Avène spring water, completely fragrance free, mattifying and water resistant with extremely high protection, it covers all bases.
Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF 50
Eve Lom delivers yet again with its firming and smoothing daily protection, which acts as a perfect base for make-up. Suitable for all skin types, the packaging has a satisfying pump mechanism so is totally mess-free for those who make a habit of not screwing lids on properly.
Luxury
Chanel UV Essentiel Daily Defender SPF 50
The chic monochromatic minimal tube is a marker of Chanel beauty, where the packaging is part of the pleasure of investing in its range of cosmetics. With a runny texture and a scent faintly reminiscent of Coco Mademoiselle, this daily defender protects against UV rays and pollution. Also available in SPF 30, it’s perfect for city dwellers.
Givenchy City Skin Solution Beautifying Mist SPF 30
Givenchy’s City Skin Solution is another luxury product suited for urban living. An aerosol bottle diffuses a lightweight fluid which can be layered over face and décolletage with refreshing effect.
Contained in a sparkly iridescent tube, Blanc Pur Couture caters for those who enjoy the way their beauty products look as much as how they perfom. The texture of standard sunscreen, it’s a classic beauty staple from YSL that will ensure your SPF application is a daily treat.
Tom Ford’s Face Protect serum is the ideal combination of skincare and protection. A lightweight, non-greasy formulation, the gold and white tube will take pride of place on your dressing table.
Technology
Glossier Invisible Daily Shield SPF 35
This newly released and much anticipated product from AnOther’s favourite American beauty brand Glossier is formulated to be used daily, without fail; the bottle even comes accompanied by a sticker designed to affix on your mirror as a much needed reminder to apply it as the last step in your skin care regime “every single day.” An unscented clear gel texture with broad spectrum SPF, this was worth waiting the transatlantic delivery time.
Dr Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50
Dr Barbara Sturm’s range of molecular cosmetics ensure that your skincare application feels like a little like a visit to the dermatologist from the comfort of your own home. With a dropper that dips into a bottle of ‘sun serum’, the fluid itself contains cassia extract, vitamin E and beta glucan (the technical name for the sugars that found in the cell walls of fungi, yeast and algae.) You can also mix this with your non-SPF face cream to create a whole new protective product. Ingenious!
Shiseido Wetforce Aging Protection Cream SPF 50+
Very high protection and very water-resistant, this new product from Shiseido comes with 360 degree super veil technology. Thick in consistency, the blue tube perfectly coordinates with the pool, which is obviously where you’ll want to be wearing it.
