It’s finally the holiday season, and whether you’re going abroad with temperatures of 30+ degrees, or you’re staying in the unpredictable British weather, you can be sure to expect the sun to sink into your pores. 

 

No matter where you’re going, it’s still important to protect your skin from the sun. We're taught from a young age that UV damage can cause burns that lead to skin cancer and we also need to protect our skin from the sun, as it can be damaging to the complexion of our skin and cause premature ageing. 

 

We’re going to take you through some vital steps to keep your skin healthy while obtaining a natural radiant glow.

 

Sun Protection

The UV rays transmitted from the sun are the most detrimental to our skin, they can cause the skin to lose its elasticity and cause wrinkles to form earlier in life. Many sun creams can feel greasy, non-absorbent and leave marks on clothes. Look out for a light moisturising SPF sun cream such as the Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch with SPF 50. This cream is gel-based and leaves your skin dry to the touch after use without stripping it of natural oils, because of this it’s perfect for acne-prone skin.

 

If your skin is on the dry side, then the Avene Hydrating Emulsion for UV Light Protection helps prevent sunburn while enriching your skin with moisture, suitable for dry to very dry dehydrated sensitive skin with an SPF30. 

 

For those with age concerns, the La Roche Posse Age Correct SPF50 targets skin elasticity and helps limit cellular damage caused by the sun, it also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots. For children, the Bioderma Photoderm KID Mousser is perfect as it contains an SPF of 50 with a fun and easy mousse application.

 

Although sun cream can be used all over the body, there are creams out there specifically designed for the face. This allows you to use a thicker, less-absorbent sunscreen for your body and a lighter one for your face. Often they come in smaller bottles so you can carry them around and keep topping up during the day. 

 

The CeraVe SPF 25 Moisturising Lotion is a lightweight cream that provides long-lasting hydration to be topped up every couple of hours. It dries with a clear finish so there’s no risk of visible white streaks.

 

Protect Skin from Chlorine

Not many people consider the risk of chlorine on the skin when travelling abroad, but the repercussions of spending too much time cooling off in the pool can have a negative impact. As chlorine strips away essential oils, it can dry out your skin causing sensitive skin or rashes, luckily, it’s quite easy to avoid. Before entering the pool, apply a natural oil such as coconut oil or baby oil. 

 

The Weleda Calendula Oil is a fragrance-free, organic oil for sensitive skin. The oil works as a barrier to stop the chlorine from opening your pores and drying the surface of the skin. Just be sure to apply sun cream as soon as you come out of the pool as even waterproof suncream loses some of its effectiveness after becoming wet.

 

Protect Skin from Sea Water

Sea water can be great for the skin, with many natural properties for healing. However, it can also dry out the skin and cause soreness and sensitivity when exposed for a long time. The simple solution to this is to apply moisturising sun cream, or if you are keeping out of the sun for the rest of the day the Avene Tolérance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm not only adds moisture but restores the skin barrier using natural origin ingredients. Another useful tip is to rinse after going into the sea as this washes away the salt and bacteria.

 

Aftersun

If you’ve accidentally caught the sun, and it’s too late for an extra application of suncream then aftersun can be your lifeline. The Eucerin After Sun Sensitive Relief Gel-Cream provides soothing properties that minimises skin irritation while strengthening the skin's own protection system.

 

No sun?

Don’t want to risk sun damage? Try a tinted moisturiser for a natural-looking glow such as the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Tinted Suncream. This is ideal for skin that burns easily and needs to be kept out of the sun, it also contains SPF 50 just in case you do get exposed. If you’re not planning on seeing any sunshine this summer, then try a tanning moisturiser such as the Vichy Ideal Soleil Hydra-Bronzing Self-Tanning Milk Face & Body. This lotion provides a gradual and even tan that enhances with each use, giving a progressively darker complexion that mimics the effect of sunbathing.

 

Remember to always protect your skin during all seasons, your skin can burn even on a cloudy day as UV rays are always present. Having a daily moisturiser with SPF can be a great part of your daily skincare routine, slowing the process of ageing and keeping skin healthy. For more tips and advice on skincare, head to our blog for more information.