And yep, you may be diligently slathering on your SPF at the beach and ideally, daily (even when there’s not a beach or a ray of sunshine in sight), but there’s common places you could be missing with your sunscreen, and potentially exposing your skin to damaging UV rays in the process. Read on for the top-to-toe lowdown on *every* place you should be applying SPF...
YOUR EARS
If you smooth SPF on your face, neck and décolletage and think you’re done, think again. If you can’t remember the last time you put SPF on your ears (if ever) you’re not alone. We forget that any exposed skin needs sunscreen — and especially times when you’re driving in your car or sat next to a window, your ears are receiving UV rays.
YOUR EYELIDS
Sunglasses are enough protection, right? Wrong! The thinnest skin on the body, around your eyelids, certainly needs shielding from damaging UV rays — but we get it if the thought of putting sunscreen anywhere near your eyes makes you wince, because, same. Luckily, SPF has come a long way since the days of yore, with kind-to-eyes and sensitive formulas a-plenty.
THE BACKS OF YOUR HANDS
Exposed to the sun as much as our faces, the backs of our hands are a common place that’s easily forgotten when it comes to SPF application, leading to sunspots and wrinkles. Our top tip? Place a sunscreen where you leave your keys, phone or card, and apply it each time you go out the door. Treat it like a hand cream, massaging in thoroughly for ultra protection.
YOUR FEET
Why do we *always* forget the tops of our feet? Summer brings skin-revealing shoes like flip flops and sandals, which means this area of our feet is particularly vulnerable to the sun. And if you’re sunbathing with your feet up on a sun lounger, the bottoms of your feet need SPF too (because there’s nothing more painful than walking on sunburnt feet).
THE BACKS OF YOUR KNEES
You’re doing the right thing by applying sunscreen over your exposed legs, but do you remember to go over the backs of your knees? Much like the back of the neck, it’s an area that’s prone to becoming sweatier than other body parts, and so sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently. Similarly to feet, if you get burnt in this area it will definitely be painful for you to walk — and who wants that misery when you’re trying to enjoy your well-deserved getaway?
OUR SUNSCREEN ESSENTIALS
Now it’s time to practice what we preach and apply one (or more) of these high-performance sunscreens for ultimate protection and peace of mind. And remember: apply every two hours, or as soon as possible after swimming or sweating.
Suitable for all skin types (even sensitive) the Aesop Protective Facial Lotion SPF 50 stars a skin-loving blend of niacinamide, pigmentation-fading sage leaf and smoothing saccharide isomerate to deliver long-lasting hydration while shielding from UVA and UVB rays. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t block your pores.
SHOP ALL AESOP >>>Backed by an algae-rich blend, the Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ Face Gelis a gel-cream sunscreen that casts a protective veil over your complexion. Brightening, balancing and hydrating, it also helps to control the look of oiliness, making it a great option for oily skin types.
SHOP ALL BONDI SANDS >>>Designed especially for children’s skin, the AntheliosUVMune 400 Dermo-Pediatrics Kids Ultra Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+is lightweight and fragrance-free, brimming with the brand's UVMune 400 UV filter (which helps to protect against ultra-long UVA and UVB UVA rays). Antioxidant-rich vitamin E, nourishing shea butter and soothing thermal spring water are also included in the formula to leave little limbs hydrated and moisturised in the sun.
Water and sweat resistant for up to four hours, the Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body + Hand Skinscreen provides a shimmering veil of sun protection for a lit-from-within look. Plant-derived pentavitin issues a hefty dose of moisture, while aloe vera soothes and vitamin E delivers ultra nourishment, leading to juicy skin that’s hydrated, glowing and protected.
SHOP ALL UTRA VIOLETTE >>>Enriched with nourishing green tea and moisturising sunflower seed oil, the innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen uses SPF 30 and a light-as-air texture to defend your skin from UV light without a white cast. It also includes cica to help reduce the look of redness and provides an ideal base for make up without that common bugbear, pilling.
SHOP ALL INNISFREE >>>Created for the face, neck and shoulders, the Hello Sunday The Shimmer One Mineral Glow Stick SPF 45reveals lit-from-within skin that feels velvety soft to the touch. Enriched with hydrating hero hyaluronic acid, moisturising sunflower wax and antioxidants, this shimmery sun-staple works to nourish, soften and shield your complexion, all in one handy travel size stick. We're chucking it in our beach bag as we speak...
Transporting you to the golden sands and crystal-clear waters of Rio, the Sol De Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Lotion SPF 50 cloaks limbs in an illuminating veil of UV-shielding protection. Featuring *that* mouthwatering holiday scent we all know and love (think: sweet coconut and creamy vanilla), this skin care-slash-sun care hybrid is also packed with kind-to-skin ingredients. Niacinamide works to brighten and even skin texture and tone, cupuaçu butter nourishes and antioxidant-rich pongamia seed contributes to protecting the skin from the sun’s rays. Now, we’re off to do the samba...
SHOP ALL SOL DE JANEIRO >>>The Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Insurance SPF 30 has been specifically created to protect the delicate eye area from UV rays *and* help to tone and tighten the look of the under-eye to boot. Encouraging the look of collagen for a plump, awakened look, and with a smoothing tint to help neutralise dark shadows, this eye care essential is a must for summer and all year round.
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