Solar-proof yourself for summer
HOT TIPS TO AVOID BLISTERING IN A SWELTERING SUMMER
PROTECT HAIR AND SCALP. Sunscreen application shouldn’t end at the hairline. UV damage will make hair brittle and ruin the colour. Use hair sprays and oils specifically designed to protect your locks from the sun. Coola, Moroccanoil and Bumble & Bumble make good ones. SIZE MATTERS WHEN IT
COMES TO SUN HATS. It’s a bit of a no-brainer: the bigger the hat, the safer the skin. But it’s quickly forgotten. A hat’s brim should be at least 10 centimetres wide, guaranteeing protection not only for the complexion but also the scalp and tops of the ears. SAVE THE SHINE FOR THE
EVENING. Even a gloss containing SPFs can act like baby oil on the lips, absorbing and reflecting sunlight and increasing burn. During the day, substitute a protecting lip balm, which is waxier than gloss, not as shiny and adheres to the lips better. SHAKE MINERAL SUNSCREEN
BEFORE APPLYING. The skin-protecting ingredients in mineral products are heavier than those in chemical products and can separate in the bottle. Solve that with a good shake.
DON’T RELY ON MAKE-UP. You need about 15 times the amount of mineral make-up than you’d normally use to provide proper sun protection. Sunscreen first, skincare second, then make-up.
PILE IT ON. Don’t wait until you’re dressed to apply sunscreen before a day at the beach — you are far more likely
to miss a spot. Rule of thumb: shot glass amount for the body; teaspoon for the face. And wait at least 20 minutes before heading out. DON’T USE THE FEAR OF BREAKING OUT AS A REASON
TO AVOID SPFS. Pimples are more related to perspiration than the ingredients in sunscreen. If you’re concerned about blemishes, make sure your face is perfectly clean before applying sunblock and consider a gel formula — it’s less likely to exacerbate existing breakouts or cause new ones. WANT TO AVOID BROWN SPOTS?
Avoid granular scrubs. When overused, they cause inflammation which increases melanin, creating new age spots and making existing ones worse. Go particularly easy on exfoliation in hotter temperatures, using a gentle product that contains skin-calmers such as green tea and chamomile or antioxidant-rich oils.
BE SENSITIVE. Ironically, some ingredients proven to help reduce the appearance of sun damage — such as AHAs — can increase sensitivity to UV light. Most new-generation AHA products are formulated to avoid this, but be cautious. MAKE YOUR SKINCARE
WORK HARDER. The UV-blockers in facecreams are essential but so too are hard-working antioxidants that help repair damage, ingredients (mainly silica) that absorb perspiration (handy if you’re out for a run), skin-calming ingredients that soothe inflammation,
hydrators that nourish, lightening agents that discourage pigmentation and skin illuminators (including bronzer) that provide luminosity.
KEEP IT FRESH. Buy a new sunscreen every summer. Active ingredients lose their potency over time. Now is an excellent time to go shopping. DON’T USE PERFUME TO HIDE THE SMELL OF FAKE TAN.
The antioxidants in some fragrances react with the DHA in self-tanners to turn skin green. Try and wait at least six hours before applying anything with scent — even deodorant.
TANNER TIP. Apply self-tanner to your face before going to bed. A light golden tan looks healthy and you’ll need far less make-up (concealer/foundation/ highlighter) in the morning.
COOL DOWN. Heat can cause blotchiness. So, too, can the airconditioning designed to keep you cool. Reduce temperatures by spritzing skin regularly with water or one of the new — and increasingly popular — skincare soothing mists, which are packed with antioxidants and other skin-nourishers. SWELTER-PROOF YOURSELF.
Nothing makes make-up melt faster in hot weather than moisturizer. If your skin is oily (far more likely in summer), avoid it completely. Use an oil-free, SPF-containing matte-finish foundation, many of which do have hydrating properties to keep them fresh- rather than mask-looking, and set with loose or pressed powder.