Be sun safe

We may give holidays abroad a miss this year, but skin expert Dr Ophelia Veraitch says we still need protection

Now is about the time that many of us would be heading off on our summer holiday, with suitcases stuffed full of swimwear and sun cream for a week or two on the beach.

Unfortunately coronavirus has meant that sunshine break may have to wait, with many families opting for a staycation or simply staying home this year.

But dermatologists fear this could mean we leave our sunscreen to gather dust along with our flip-flops – and have warned that it is vital to carry on protecting your skin, even if you’re not going anywhere more exciting than your back garden. “It’s just as important to wear an SPF at home as it is when you’re on holiday abroad,” says Dr Ophelia Veraitch, consultant dermatologist at the Cranley Clinic.

“In the past few months, people have spent more time outdoors than normal and are already noticing skin changes.”

Research shows the sun’s UV rays can cause damage even when it’s cloudy, so Dr Veraitch says wearing sunscreen is essential to prevent cancer and other skin disorders, no matter where you are.

Thankfully, the days of thick, sticky sunblock are over. So we’ve rounded up some of the best products to help you stay safe in the sun…

SPF waters offer high protection in a lightweight, fastabsorbing formula that is convenient and easy to use. These clever SPFs claim to leave no stains or stickiness on clothing and no greasy residue on skin. Try Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water SPF50

(£19, lookfantastic.com), which contains powerful UV filters and sinks into your skin without a trace.

Most facial SPFs are applied directly to the skin before putting on make-up, so it is difficult to top them up during the day. However, some innovative products provide sun protection in powder form, which can be dusted over make-up to both shield skin from the sun and combat shine. Try Brush On Block SPF30 (£34, brushonblock sunscreen.co.uk), which provides broad spectrum protection in environmentallyfriendly refillable packaging.

If your skin is oily and prone to breakouts, it can react badly to traditional heavy sun creams. Any make-up on top will slide away in minutes too, so finding an SPF for this skin type used to be daunting. But

Bananas can boost your mood. One piece of fruit contains 30% of your daily recommended intake of B6, which helps the brain produce serotonin.