Your 8 suncare rules

It’s so important to ensure you apply SPF correctly – become a pro with our handy guide

1 Make it a habit

You should be wearing at least SPF30 every day of the year – not just when the sun is shining. UV rays still get through on the cloudiest of days, so it’s really important to make sunscreen a part of your daily routine. Sun damage accounts for 80 per cent of the signs of ageing, so your skin will thank you! SPF in foundation is beneficial, but it’s not enough to fully shield skin, so treat it as a bonus layer of protection, rather than your entire suncare. For thorough protection, choose a high SPF and wear it over your moisturiser. Hawaiian Tropic SPF30 Mineral Skin Nourishing Facial Milk, £8

2 Apply the right amount

You need roughly a teaspoon-sized amount of fluid to cover your entire face, and five to six tablespoons to cover your body when you’re showing more skin. Don’t forget about those easy-to-neglect areas, such as your hairline, lips and ears. Not applying enough will drastically reduce the effectiveness of the protection, so it’s important to be generous. Apply 15-30 minutes before stepping outside, to give the sunscreen enough time to sink in. Coola Eco-lux SPF30 Tropical Coconut Sunscreen Spray, £35 Bondi Sands SPF50+ Lip Balm, £4.99

3

Reapply throughout the day

It’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Make sure to carry some extra SPF with you throughout the day, to top up easily while you’re on the go – new formulations even work over make-up, so cosmetics won’t slide off your face! If you’ve been sweating, or have been paddling or swimming in the sea or a pool, apply again straight away. Shiseido SPF50+ Clear Sunscreen Stick, £28 Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF50 Over Makeup Super UV, £10

4 Break down the jargon

UVA These are the rays that penetrate our skin’s deeper layers, breaking down cell structure, leading to signs of ageing, as well as more serious concerns like melanoma. UVB These affect the surface layers of the skin, causing sunburn but also skin cancer. Think A for ageing, B for burning. Broad spectrum This means that the formula will protect from both UVA and UVB rays. Always look out for it when you’re buying suncare products. Physical vs chemical There are two types of sun protection. Chemical ingredients absorb UV rays, safely releasing them from the skin cells. Physical (sometimes referred to as mineral) formulations create a layer on top of the skin to deflect the rays.

5 Choose the right SPF

SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is the measure of how long you’ll be protected for against the sun. For example, SPF30 will allow you to be in the sun for 30 times longer without burning, compared with not wearing any protection. The very lowest level recommended by the NHS is SPF15, but we’d encourage you to use 30 or 50 to be on the safe side. Dr Dennis Gross SPF30 Lightweight Wrinkle Defense, £46 La Roche-posay SPF50+ Anthelios Invisible Spray Ultra Protection, £20

6 Look for bonus benefits

SPF sunscreens don’t have to be boring – they can have as many bells and whistles as fancy day creams. The high street offers options that help with brightening, anti-ageing or even building up a fake tan. Look for buys that also offer environmental protection, an essential extra for city living. Clarins SPF50 UV Plus Antipollution Multi-protection Moisturizing Screen, £33

7 Protect the whole family

Babies and kids have much more sensitive skin than adults, so it’s important to provide specialised products for them. Look for brightly coloured lotions to make the process a bit more fun for them. Roll-on and spray bottles help you apply speedily, before they wriggle away to play outside! Sun hats will add an essential extra level of protection, too. Nivea Sun SPF50+ Kids Protect & Care Coloured Roll-on, £5.49 Childs Farm SPF50+ Sun Cream, £12

8 Don’t forget your hair

Obviously the repercussions aren’t as serious, but the sun can really damage your hair, too. Apply a heat protection spray generously all over hair before heading outside, to stop your locks from getting frazzled. Sun damage to hair can cause dryness and frizz, as well as making hair colour fade quicker.

Sun Bum Protecting Heat Protector, £15.99