Take care in the sun
The sun is out – and it’s set to hang around all week if weather reports are to be believed. Isn’t it a wonderful thing?! Just makes everything seem better. But…treat the sun with care because it can be a terribly damaging thing as well – particularly to fair, Scottish skins!
Scotland has some of the highest skin cancer statistics in Europe (thanks to our pale skins, and the over-exposure to UV rays on sunbeds), and far too many of us still peel the layers off the minute the sun shines, and don’t use a sunscreen.
There is no excuse for it, and there are loads of different brands and types out there to choose from – for all price ranges and skin types. Here’a few of my favourites (and I need loads, being particularly pale, and prone to burning!)
1. Clarins Sun Care Milk/Lotion Spray UVB UVA 20, £17.50, clarins.co.uk – I adore Clarins skincare, and their suncare range is just as brilliant. This is just one of loads of products – lotions, creams, oils for every skin type and factors from 6 right up to 50. Kids suncare and an SPF30 Protection Stick will be added to the range in May.
2. Sisley Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen SPF50+, £101, johnlewis.com– Special suncare for the face is a treat that I recommend. This is just gorgeous – nourishing thanks to Shea Butter and cucumber extract, and top UVA and UVB protection – protecting from the rays that burn and the rays that age.It’s truly a moisturiser as well as suncare. It is brilliant for very fair skins, and also if you are in tropical climates, or skiing.
3. Boots Soltan Once 8 Hour Sun Proection Moisturising Suncare Lotion SPF30, £15.99, boots.com – Being really fair I’ve always been a bit wary of these sunscreens you only need to apply once. But Boots have excellent suncare products, so I think we can trust this one! It comes in SPF50 as well, and lower factors, but I tend to wear nothing below a 30 these days, and a 40+ for my face.
4. Nivea Sun Pure & Sensitive Sun Spray + Aloe Vera 50, £14.99, boots.com – Nivea are one of my favourite suncare brands but my sister-in-law hates the smell! This is new from Nivea this month, and is for folks like me with sensitive skin. An SPF of 50+ works if you have skin that always burns – protect it, and fake it!
5. Clinique Body Cream SPF40, £18.50, clinique.co.uk – Clinique’s innovative SolarSmart technology stabilises high-level protection against the ageing and burning effects of UVA and UVB rays. It also contains anti-oxidants. Gorgeous sunny packaging makes me think of the sun!
6. Liz Earle Mineral Suncream SPF20, £19.25, lizearle.com– new from Liz Earle, this mineral-based suncream is gentle enough for face and body and is excellent for sensitive skin. Also comes in a dinky little 30ml size for £6.75 – ideal for hand-luggage only trips!
Enjoy the sun!
