Sun protection creams to suit your lifestyle

Latest ways to protect your skin in the sun - read on for the newest ways to fake a tan. By Trish Lesslie

The warming feel of the sun on your skin is one of life's great pleasures. But while being in the sun can really boost your feel-good factor, there are plenty of downsides to exposing your skin to UV rays. Premature ageing in the form of wrinkles, age spots and sagginess are all caused by the sun's UVA rays. And, like the potentially lethal skin cancers that can be triggered by exposure to the sun's UVB rays, they don't just affect avid sun-worshippers.

The solution is to shield your skin from harm with sun protection creams - and if you want a tan, to fake it (read our 'Best fake tan buys' here). With these great new products, protection and pretence have never been easier.

 

Best for... even coverage: Calypso Sun Lotion

The easy-to-use pump-action bottle comes with a Press and Protect Chart on the back suggesting the optimum number of pumps to apply to each part of your body for full, even protection. With a four-star UVA rating, it's available in SPF6, 10, 15, 20 and 30.

From £4.49 for 250ml; available Co-op Chemists, Lloyds Pharmacies and Matalan, or call 0161 777 9229

 

Best for... easy application: Nivea Sun Invisible Protection Transparent Spray

This lightweight spritz has a non-greasy formula that's completely invisible on the skin. The sophisticated pump means it sprays even when upside down, so it's great for hard-to-reach areas like backs. And the non-tacky texture means your limbs are left moisturised but not liable to get sand stuck to them. With a three-star UVA rating, it's water resistant, too.

From £12.29 for 200ml; www.nivea.co.uk; available nationwide

 

Best for... everyday use: Garnier Ambre Solaire Light & Silky Protection Milk

Whether you're on a beach holiday or walking around at home, this lightweight lotion leaves skin silky-smooth and moisturised without a hint of stickiness. Use it daily on exposed areas during summer to protect your skin from the damage caused by everyday exposure to the sun's rays. Choose from SPF 10, 15, 20 or 30.

£11.99 for 200ml: www.garnier.co.uk; available nationwide

 

Best for... age-spot control: L'Oréal Solar Expertise Active Anti-Wrinkle & Age Spot Face Cream

This reformulation includes melanin-controlling ingredients and moisturising hyaluronic acid to help protect against the two main giveaways of ageing brown spots and wrinkles. Use it on face, chest and hands daily. The four-star UVA protection means it will shield these delicate areas from those tell-tale signs.

From £10 for 75ml; www.loreal.co.uk; available nationwide

 

Best for... total protection: Ultrasun Very High SPF 50+

Ultrasun has created one of the highest possible UV protection products, without compromising on texture or fragrance. Based on the same formulation as its Very High All Day Protection 28, it gives water-resistant protection with UVB protection of 50 and UVA protection of 99 per cent, for up to eight hours. Brilliant for kids, it can be used on the face, and by those with very fair skins, too.

£18 for 100ml; www.ultrasun.co.uk or call 01737 247407

 

Best for... long-lasting protection: Solait One Application

Lasting for up to six hours, the water-resistant formula allows for a total of 40 minutes of water exposure. With a five-star UVA rating and available in a number of SPF variants, it also comes in handy takeaway pouches (£5.97 for 50ml) the perfect size for keeping in the car or handbag, ready for surprise sunny days.

£13.97 for 200ml; available from Superdrug (which has a buy one, get one free offer on Solait sun protection products until September 1 2009)

 

Top tip

Application instructions vary from product to product, so be sure to follow the guidelines on the packaging carefully.

 

Read our Best buys to fake a gorgeous tan feature here

 

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