Summer body: be safe in the sun

Sensitive skin saviours

Thank heavens for the latest suncare for sensitive skin. Eau Thermale Avène's newly reformulated range of sunscreen has been specially designed to help sufferers of eczema, psoriasis, acne and dermatitis. Priced from £9.95 for 50ml (01582 820165), all the products in the range contain Avène thermal spring water as well as UVA protection.

Part of the new Piz Buin Allergy range, the Aftersun Lotion, £9.99 for 200ml (available nationwide), contains Calmanelle, a unique complex to help increase the skin's tolerance to UV exposure. For the face, try La Roche-Posay Anthelios Extreme Fluide Face SPF50+, £14 for 50ml (0800 055 6822). Specifically for those with sun allergies, it's water resistant and fragrance free and has the highest level of UVA filters on the market. It comes in a tinted version, too (£16.50).

Sun cream with a high SPF might save us from burning UVB rays, but it's UVA that causes lines, wrinkles and age spots. That's why the Boots Soltan range now offers five-star UVA protection - the highest there is - across all its products, regardless of SPF, as does the new-formula Solait range from Superdrug, which is buy-one-get-one-free until 15 September.

Tip

Damage to the skin comes from exposure to UV light, not heat, so don't be fooled by low temperatures or a cooling breeze.

New ways to fake it

Self-tan formulations seem to improve every year, and the latest batch is no exception. Enriched with apricot extract, the new Garnier Ambre Solaire Self-Tan Velvety Gel (£9.99 for 150ml, available nationwide) leaves skin silky to the touch. It has a light version, too, which is great for fairer complexions.

If it's a serious deep colour you're after, try the new Xen-Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe (£34.95 for 236ml, 0844 800 7662). It has high levels of the tanning ingredient DHA in a time-release formula, plus coconut and walnut oils that leave skin with a soft sheen.

For instant colour that develops into a longer-lasting tan, you can't beat He-Shi Quick + Easy Express Liquid Tan, £20 for 150ml (www.he-shi.net). The guide colour instantly stains your skin, ensuring you can see exactly where it's going, so there's no risk of missed bits or streaks. The formulation is very runny, so it's essential to apply it with a tanning mitt!

Meanwhile, the new Fake Bake Platinum The Face (£29.95 for 60ml, 0844 856 5758) creates a new benchmark in self-tan. Made with ground-breaking apple stem-cell technology, it delivers the latest anti-ageing ingredients to the skin while giving you a healthy glow - a premium face cream with a hint of a tint, in other words!

Made for darker skin

At last, a suncare product developed specifically for the needs of darker skin. Uzuri Anti-Tan Gel (£11.99 plus p&p, www.uzuriskin.com) is totally colourless, so it won't leave a white residue on the skin. It also offers high protection (SPF40 and three-star UVA) and is water resistant. Give it a go if you don't want to go darker in the sun.

The best spray tans

There's no shortage of salon spray tans out there, but Fantasy Tan (from £25, 0845 129 8431) is a cut above most. It comes in six different shades, which can be custom-blended to achieve exactly the colour you want. It also means technicians can counter a sallow or pink complexion with the right colour blend.

The specially designed nozzle dispenses the finest spray - instead of the kind of nozzle used to spray car paint, which is what many other brands use! It should last five to seven days depending on your skin type and the depth of colour you choose.