Whether you live down at the coast, or on the Highveld, we tend to spend a lot of time indoors.
Left your summer diet to the last minute? We’ve got to covered for beach season
Because of this, we tend to think that sunscreen isn’t a must.
This isn’t true! As you drive to work in the morning, or home for the evening and even on cloudy days, harmful UV rays can still cause damage to your skin.
With so many sunscreens on the market, not living up to their claims, what do you look out for in an SPF? No matter the colour of your skin, it’s not recommended to go below an SPF30. So, get rid of those SPF15’s!
Keep a look out for UVB (protects from burning) and UVA (protects from ageing) protection. If your skin burns, or has turned tomato red, your body is telling you to get out the sun, but it’s the UVA’s, that we can’t actually feel that do all the damage.
UVA rays penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, causing premature ageing and skin cancer.
Don’t let that take you out the sun completely – vitamin D is vital for our health, and we can’t get that from food alone. At least 15 minutes of sun on our skin a day is good enough, but that’s no excuse to push it any longer without protection.
A good quality sunscreen will allow you to tan, while keeping you protected. We recommend reapplying your SPF every hour or even more frequently if you’re in and out of the pool or ocean.
This doesn’t mean applying the whole tube in one go, but rather enough for your skin to absorb, without being greasy or uncomfortable. You can even pop it on under your foundation for extra protection.
Sunscreen for your face
New Eau Thermale Avène Anti-Aging Suncare SPF50+, R229,95 for 50ml, combines Ascofiline, an ingredient to firm the skin, with UVA/B protection- upping the ante on your daily anti-aging routine.
Other must haves include Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream For Face UVA/B SPF50+ , R375 for 75ml; and Eucerin Sun Protection SPF50+ Sun Fluid Mattifying for face, R220,95 for 50ml.
Have you heard about K-Beauty?
Sunscreen for your body
Choose to lather with a cream or spritz with a spray, sun protectant all over your body is a must. Our tops picks include cruelty free, Beauty Factory Earth Bound Sun Spray SPF30 with sea minerals and kelp essence, R229,90 for 200ml; the classic Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Moisturising Spray Sun Spray SPF50+, R212,95 for 300ml; and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Lotion SPF50+, R270.
Organic options
Look for organic and paraben free options such as Eli & You Natural Sunscreen SPF40+, R228 for 100ml; Oh-Lief Natural Sunscreen SPF30 for body, with pomegranate and carrot extract, R249 for 100ml; and Coola Sport Guava Mango Sunscreen Spray + plant protection SPF50, R490 for a travel sized 88ml.
