The Suncare Products Beauty Daily Staffers Swear By

At Beauty Daily, practising safe sun 365 days is always at the forefront of our regimen.

SPF wearing is a non-negotiable skincare step experts advise to add into our daily regimes regardless of the season and destination because the sun is the skin’s most significant threat. UV exposure is the #1 cause of premature skin ageing and worse case, skin cancer. 

“Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK and year on year rates continue to rise. UV radiation from the sun can cause damage to the skin and UV exposure is the main preventable cause of skin cancer, Eleanor Lloyd, the spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation tells Beauty Daily.  

Dan Latore, executive director of The Skin Cancer Foundation, and campaign organiser of the “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” says: “By sharing facts about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and encouraging people to check their skin for warning signs, we can and will save lives. We can’t do this work alone.  

Skin Cancer Awareness Month is a time for us to speak up about the dangers of skin cancer, share the facts and help save lives.”  

In light of May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we asked the Beauty Daily team how they make sure they’re sun-proof and summer-ready, so you can get inspiration for your big days under the sun (or not).  

Sun Care Body Lotion-in-Spray UVA/UVB 50+ 

Nishita Fiji, Beauty Daily Beauty Writer   

“For years, I applied SPF on my face and completely ignored the rest of my body. It made no logical sense, but so many of us do this! So now, I try to make the task as easy for myself as possible. 

Especially on sunny holidays, I love to use an SPF spray – something like the Sun Care Body Lotion-in-Spray UVA/UVB 50+ is perfect for covering the arms, legs, and hard-to-reach areas like the back.  

You will find one of those in my beach bag, plus a lighter gel-texture sun cream for my face, a sunhat and a beach read, and I’m summer-ready.”    

Invisible Suncare Stick SPF50

Sarah Joan Ross, Beauty Daily Editor

“I’m obsessed with the Invisible Suncare Stick SPF50. I totally stockpile and keep it in the car, handbag and at the console in the hallway of my house. The children love this orange-tinted gel, so they never complain when I apply it to their sensitive skin before stepping out. Plus, applied pre-make-up leaves a lovely glow and can be used all over the face and even near the eyes for the ultimate non-zinc-y sun protection. 

It also gets tossed into my beach bag, along with the Mineral Sun Care Compact, which protects and perfects without clogging skin or ruining your existing make-up.” 

HydraQuench Tinted Moisturiser

Tori Saunders, Clarins SEO Project Coordinator  

“For me, summer is all about protective skincare and natural make-up. There is nothing worse than having layers of make-up on in the blistering sun that melts off as soon as you step outside. That’s why my go-to summer skincare item is the ever-powerful 3-in-1 HydraQuench Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 15. It gives me the glowy natural look I am going for with the added protection against the sun and pollution. Of course, I will layer this on top of my sunscreen with SPF 50.  

My summer essential is sunnies; they’re such a vital staple in summer to protect your eyes and to hide a late night. My favourite pair has got to be the Round Ray-bans.”  

Sun Care Water Mist SPF50+ 

Jason Roberts, Clarins Training Manager  

“I am looking forward to a summer getaway this year, and whenever I travel somewhere warm, I always pack the Sun Care Water Mist SPF50+. It is hydrating and refreshing with high protection, so a vacation essential for me. In addition, it is super easy to apply and top up during the day. Another bonus is all Clarins sun care formulas are coral reef-friendly, so they don’t harm marine life.” 

UV PLUS [5P] Anti-Pollution Rose

Anne Lora Scagliusi, Beauty Daily Beauty and Wellness Writer 

“I have interviewed a wide range of skincare experts and written a fair bit of sun care stories for Beauty Daily and because of that, I’m never skipping sunscreen a day of my life. For my “non-beach” holidays, I’m never without my UV PLUS [5P] Anti-Pollution Rose. Days spent getting lost in European cities need some pollution proofing SPF too!  

For my “beach” holidays, I spend warmer days in Puglia, Italy, where you’ll always find me snorkelling in the Mediterranean sea early in the day. I meet with friends on the beach too, so I can’t be seen with the greasy and white residue on my face and body. I prefer a quick-drying, bare skin finish formula like the Dry Touch Facial Sun Care UVA/UVB 50+.”  

Sun Care Body Cream UVA/UVB 50+

Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager  

“I have dry skin on the body, so I opt for Sun Care Body Cream UVA/UVB 50+ and that works well for me. So that goes abroad with me and I order loads of it. I take four of them on a holiday because the idea of running out and having to buy an alternative makes me sad!

My essential summer item would be Eau Dynamisante. Suncare is important, but I get bitten a lot on holidays. For some reason, mosquitos love me. I find that Eau Dynamisante keeps them at bay without smelling like insect repellant. But mosquitos don’t love it because of the lemon, so it’s good as an alternative.”

Read next: How does the sun damage the skin?  

5 Expert-Approved Summer Skincare Tips

“It is vital to protect yourself from the sun by covering as much skin as possible with clothing and a hat, wearing a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes and seeking shade between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is at its strongest,” Lloyd recommends.  

1. Be careful about the skincare ingredients you use under the sun.

Some ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, are skin besties in sunlight, but others, like retinol, AHA and BHA can make your skin photosensitive. Do your homework: The Best And Worst Beauty Products To Wear Under The Sun.

2. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure.

Reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating, or drying off. 

3. Opt for dark or bright coloured clothing.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, these colours keep UV rays from reaching your skin by absorbing them rather than allowing them to penetrate.

4. Wear UV-protective sunnies.

The first rule of thumb is to opt for 100% UV protection sunglasses. So, check the labels.

5. Use a non-photosensitive fragrance. 

Opt for non-photosensitive fragrances like the Clarins Treatment line when choosing your scent for the holidays. Photosensitivity is a skin reaction to sunlight and certain chemicals found in perfumes can trigger this, leading to sunburn, redness, and hyperpigmentation. Our pick? the summery scent of Eau des Jardins. 

Read next: Everything You Need To Know About Natural Fragrances 

SPF Shopping Guide

1. Choose the right sunscreen.

Opt for one that offers broad-spectrum protection with SPF 30 or higher and is water-resistant.  

2. Skin type should be considered when shopping for SPF.

People with sensitive skin might have allergic reactions to some ingredients. However, all Clarins skincare products, including the sun care range, are pregnancy-approved and suitable for all skin types, even with the most sensitive skins.  

3. Antioxidant-infused with SPF.

While you’re at it, why not opt for an SPF that gives you more apart from UV protection. We love the Clarins sun care range because it is formulated with two new complexes: SunFilterComplex and Sunplantcomplex. SunFilterComplex is responsible for ensuring skin’s optimal protection against sun’s rays: UVB and UVA. The SunPlantComplex is a synergy of six plant extracts that prevent the skin from all sun-related ageing, loading it with antioxidant benefits while ensuring the skin is fully hydrated. 

4. Sustainable & Reef Friendly.

For those hoping to do their part for ocean reef conservation, when sunscreen shopping, look for the ‘reef-friendly’ label. This means it does not contain chemicals that could be harmful to corals and marine life. Look for ingredients oxide and titanium dioxide. All Clarins sun care products are certified coral and eco-friendly. 

Read Next: SPF Benefits: Everything You Need To Know About Suncare