HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN.

As someone whose mood is often influenced by the weather, I can completely empathise with anybody that gets a teeny bit too excited when the sun starts shining. After all, let’s face it, great weather is somewhat of a novelty here in the UK - and since the majority of us are away from our usual office spaces and so on for the foreseeable, it’s only to be expected that people will be spending their days soaking up the sun.

And that’s fine - as long as we are being careful.

One of the things that many of us seem to forget as soon as the sun appears, is just how dangerous those powerful UV rays really are. And they really are incredibly dangerous. The endless damage that the sun inflicts on our skin is palpable, with the likes of skin cancer, premature ageing, deep set lines and wrinkles and the dreaded ‘leather-look skin’, being just a few of the skin complaints caused.

The good news is, there are things we can do and products we can use to prevent this barrage of problems from occurring. All we have to do is be kind to our skin and treat it to things that will take care of it even on the hottest and sunniest of spring/summer days.

As the weather has been so glorious the last few days, I thought now would be the perfect time to talk about how we can all take care of our skin when those UV rays beat down on us. So, for this blog post, I’ve pulled together some of the best sunscreens, makeup products with SPF, face creams with SPF & more, as well as a bunch of top tips on how to avoid sun damaged skin. I really hope you find this useful and that you enjoy the post!

This was me in Palm Springs last June. I was wearing Factor 50 Sunscreen every single day, but I still burnt.
That's why it's so important to keep reapplying your sun cream!

1. What is the best sun cream?

You’d think that sunscreen would be an easy thing to shop for, but actually, as there are so many to choose from - and all at very different price points - it’s not very easy at all.

So how do you choose the right sunscreen? Well, first of all, have a budget set in mind. You can spend as much or as little as you want, and this isn’t to say that the most expensive products are the best. However, particularly if you’re shopping online and using filters to narrow your search, having a price in mind that you’d be willing to spend is a really good idea.

A few of the brands I would personally recommend when it comes to sun cream include Nivea Sun, Lancaster, La Roche Posay, Kiehl’s and Elizabeth Arden. You’ll also find that several of these brands manufacture face creams with SPF to help provide your sensitive facial skin with that extra protection it needs to stay healthy and youthful in the sunshine.

Below are a few of the sun protection products I love most:

2. What SPF do I need?

One of the most confusing things about SPF is the numbers - how high or how low should we go?

Well, that’s pretty simple - the higher, the better. So, if it’s a toss-up between SPF 50 and SPF 15, absolutely you should be buying the SPF 50.

To add a bit more clarity to this, it’s worth pointing out that any product that provides SPF, whether that be SPF 10 or SPF 30, is 100% better than nothing. However, the only way to truly ensure that you’ve given your skin the best possible protection is to go for SPF 30 or higher.

Young children and those with especially sensitive skin always wear SPF 50 when it’s sunny, but even those that tan easily and go a gorgeous golden brown should be using protection, too. On your mission to get the perfect tan, bear in mind that in a few weeks, all of that colour will be gone, but the damage you have inflicted on your skin will last indefinitely.

Beautiful palm tree setting

3. What does FDA approved mean?

When a suncare product has been FDA approved, this means that it has passed the safety and effectiveness standards set by the Food & Drug Administration. You should only ever buy and apply sunscreen that has been FDA approved.

4. What makeup contains SPF?

Lots of makeup brands now formulate their products with SPF, which is great news for those of us that like to glam up when we head out. Primers, tinted moisturisers and foundations are among some of the products that are most frequently made to contain SPF.

I really love the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 30 and Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Foundation with SPF 40. Both of these products feel lovely and lightweight on the skin, and it’s really reassuring knowing that my skin is being shielded from UV rays when I’m wearing them.

5. What else can I do to protect myself from the sun?

So, you’ve got yourself some good sunscreen and you’ve stocked up on cosmetics with SPF in them - but what else can you do to stay safe in the sun, if anything?

The best thing that any of us can do besides wearing all the right protection is to spend ample time in the shade, even if the sun is tempting. Taking a break from the sun by sitting beneath a parasol or going inside for a little while will help you to stay cool, prevent sunstroke and of course, avoid the UV rays.

Soaking up the sun at the Wynn in Las Vegas last summer

6. How can I get a tan without spending ages in the sun?

If you're anything like me, you'll love nothing more than donning a gorgeous golden glow. So, how do you get the perfect tan? And how do you get a tan without spending hours in the sun?

Fake tan of course!

With all the incredible fake tan products now available to shop - and something to suit every budget - if the reason you're lounging in the sunshine is purely to get a tan, then honestly, you really needn't bother. Fake tan formulas have come on leaps and bounds over the years and there's now absolutely zero need to scorch your skin to get that beautiful colour you're craving. I strongly recommend the iconic St Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse for the body (although I am desperate to try Amanda Harrington London, too!) - and for the face, the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster and Tan Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self Tan Serum, both of which won't block your pores. Bingo!

If you'd like to find out more about fake tan, be sure to check out my blog post 'How To Fake Tan Like A Professional.'

I really hope you all enjoyed this blog post & I can't wait to share more with you soon.

Lots of love,
Grace x