Thinking about a vacation in the sun? Here are a few suggested sun creams, sunscreens and after-sun care products to help protect your skin and avoid sunburn when you’re on the go this summer.
Creams and sunscreens: a few points to keep in mind...
Here are 5 main points to consider when choosing your sun solar protection.
1) SPF
The SPF, or solar protection factor, determines the level of effectiveness of your sunscreen. Specifically, the number tells you how long you can stay exposed to the sun without burning, and the percentage of UVB protection offered (the higher the SPF, the more effective the sunscreen!).
A broad-spectrum SPF higher than 30 is usually a good choice for people with sensitive, reactive or acne-prone skin.
2) The formula
While there's no tangible difference in terms of actual solar protection, there are several types of formulas available when choosing your sun cream, sunscreen or after-sun care product. Lotions, sprays, milks/fluids or sticks, they’re all good choices.
Mineral sunscreens are formulated to protect sensitive skin and help reduce the risk of reactions.
3) Waterproof or not?
Choosing a water repellant or water-resistant sunscreen is always a good idea, especially on those hot summer days at the beach or pool. In addition to protecting your skin after swimming or sweaty sports activities, waterproof sunscreens offer ideal protection and significantly reduce the risk of sunburns or damage to your skin, regardless of whether your skin gets wet.
4) Dermo-cosmetics or not?
Developed according to strict dermatological guidelines, dermo-cosmetic suncare products are formulated to protect sensitive skin, especially on the face. With their high SPF, dermo-cosmetic suncare products create an effective barrier against the sun’s rays, but also against environmental factors like pollution. What's more, they have a light, non-sticky texture, even in the heat!
5) After-sun care
There’s nothing better than calming and refreshing your parched skin after a long day in the sun! And the best way to do it is with after-sun skincare products, carefully formulated to help soothe and repair your skin. And contrary to what some people might think, they’re not only for use after a sunburn! Even if you applied solar protection before going out in the sun, the UV rays can still damage your skin, (light sunburn, inflammation, dehydration, premature aging, etc.).
By applying an after-sun cream with soothing, moisturizing ingredients, you can reduce the harmful effects of the sun even more, helping your skin heal faster while prolonging your tan!
A few good products to slip into your bag...
Best solar protection for your face
Oceanly Phyto-Sun Facial Sunscreen by ATTITUDE, SPF 30, 30 g: In addition to providing broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, this tinted mineral stick-cream makes your facial skin look more radiant than ever, without leaving white streaks! Plus, its fragrance-free, vegan formula is enriched with natural ingredients like phyto-glycogen, to help restore your skin’s radiance, algae extracts with revitalizing properties, and a collagen substitute to deeply moisturize your skin.
Best anti-aging solar protection
IDC Dermo Solis+ Anti-wrinkle Mineral Powder, SPF 50, 6 g: Quick and easy to apply at any time of day, this loose mineral powder has a matte finish and helps prevent premature skin aging caused by exposure to the sun (appearance of wrinkles or fine lines, sagging skin, brown spots, etc.). It also helps control shine while shielding your skin from free radicals. What's more, the light powdery texture absorbs excess sebum. Best of all, this titanium dioxide powder is dermatologically tested to offer broad-spectrum protection that evens out your skin tone, thanks to its natural, anti-oxidizing, soothing and mattifying ingredients.
Best solar protection for kids
Sun Bum Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30, 13 g: Easy to apply to the face (even on kids who won’t sit still or who have wet, sandy hands), this water-repellent, hypo-allergenic sunscreen features vitamin E to offer effective broad-spectrum protection all day long!
Best solar protection for your hair
Sun Bum Liquid Spray Sunscreen, SPF 30, 59 ml:
this light, quick-drying mist is designed to protect you from head to toe, without weighing your hair down or leaving it oily! Best of all, its vegan, non-comedogenic, water-resistant, dermatologically-tested formula is safe for all hair types (even heavily colour-treated hair!).
Best solar protection for your body
Vichy Idéal Soleil ultra-light refreshing lotion for face and body, SPF 60, 200 ml:
effective on wet or dry skin, this ultra-light lotion features Meroxyl XL: an organic, broad-spectrum sunscreen formulated to fight harmful UV rays. It’s both water- and perspiration-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it the perfect solar lotion for your whole body, whenever you're going out in the sun!
Best solar protection for your lips and sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreen stick for sensitive areas, SPF 60, 9 ml: Designed for sensitive areas like your face, lips, ears and eye contours as well as for acne-prone skin, this solar protection stick features chemical filters and UVA/UVB minerals that offer lasting broad-spectrum protection.
Best after-sun care product
Vichy Idéal Soleil Cellular Rescue Balm, 100 ml:
blending the restorative properties of fireweed extract, bio-assimilable lipids and Vichy thermal spring water, this hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, after-sun care treatment has been clinically tested on sensitive skin, so it’s the ideal product to help soothe redness, swelling and pain caused by sunburn, whatever what your age or the phototype of your skin.