THE SUN TAN LOTIONS YOU NEED THIS SUMMER

Sunshine how I love you so. The sunnier climate makes me smile from ear to ear but as I have grown older I have begun to realise that protection from the sun is more important than having a deep tan. I am actually embarrassed to say that when I was younger I would use factor 5-15 in oil form. I was basically frying myself. There was quite an intense competition between girls at my school to see who had the best tan when we went back after the summer holidays in September…ugh, I can’t believe that was actually a thing. I am (almost) a changed woman now. Don’t get me wrong I still love having a tan. Less foundation being one of the best things but also that inner confidence you have when you have a tan, it feels like the best confidence boost. Anyway, I am here to show you the best suntan lotions out there right now which you need this summer.

FACE & BODY

Along with using a ridiculously low SPF on my body, I also used to use the same sun tan lotion on my face and my body. I would rub lotion all over my quite frankly filthy body and then wipe it all over my face. I would then be riddled with spots on my face after the summer was over. I am not totally blaming my early 20s acne on this routine but it was such a coincidence that I knew something had to change. The first step I took was to buy a face specific sun tan lotion. I bought this one from Clarins. I buy one per year and it lasts me the whole of the hot sunny months. The second step I took was to put my face lotion on before my body lotion and only after I had washed my hands. So, as soon as you have popped to the toilet and come back with clean hands, rub that face cream in asap, then follow it with your body lotion. Another thing I do now is I don’t allow my face to be in the sun for very long. I will keep it in the shade, under a parasol, hat or book. You can always use make up to make your face browner so it shouldn’t be a problem.

MARY KAY

MARY KAY SPF 50 SUNCARE
This suntan lotion absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling super soft. It provides UVA and UVB protection and is water-resistant and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes. I am never sure how long to leave it before applying more lotion so it’s nice to find one that actually tells you the length it works for. Another pretty awesome note to point out is that it is non-comedogenic which means that it doesn’t block your pores.

MARY KAY SPF 30 TIMEWISE
I am a little bit in love with this new find from Mary Kay. It is the kind of suntan lotion which you want to display on your make up table because it is so pretty. This lotion helps prevent sun damage, such as lines and discolouration before they occur by blocking UVA/UVB rays.

BIODERMA

BIODERMA PHOTODERM 50+ & BIODERMA PHOTODERM SPOT DAMAGED SKIN 50+
& BIODERM PHOTODERM OILY SKIN 30+
You may have seen in my micellar water post that I already love Bioderma’s products. I have now had the chance to try out their suntan lotions. The three I have been testing are all high SPFs in 30 and 50+. The formulation activates the skin’s natural defences, protects cells and combats premature skin ageing. The melting texture of Photoderm Spot leaves the skin feeling really soft doesn’t leave you feeling oily which is really key for me as I hate worrying that I am going to ruin my clothes of feel suffocated by a lotion. For anyone worried about their skin as I am the Bioderm Photoderm for oily skin is perfect because it actually claims to improve sebum quality, helping to keep the skin clear and healthy.

TROPIC

TROPIC TINTED SKIN SHADE SPF50 & TROPIC SUN BALM SPF50
I talked about how I had been loving Tropic’s products in my April Favourites post here. Well I have now started using their sun tan lotions. There is a tinted lotion in two shades which provides sheer coverage with an SPF of 50. I have always bought a sun block stick of at least factor 50 because I often burn on the backs of my ears when my hair is tied back and also on my hip bones and onmy xiphoid process…yup, that is a thing. This sunscreen balm is perfect for those areas of the skin which are prone to burning and comes in a lovely little pot.

CLARINS

CLARINS SUN WRINKLE CONTROL CREAM FOR FACE SPF30
It is this face specific sun tan lotion that I mentioned up above which has change the way I treat my skin in the sun. I can’t live without it each summer and can’t imagine ever not using it. It also smells divine. It protects your skin deep down and hydrates your skin. It works well under your make up as well.

SVR

SVR ANTI-BLEMISHES SPF50 & SVR ANTI-REDNESS SPF50
SVR suntan lotions moisturise you all day. They have created special specific lotions for those than are prone to spots and redness. The anti-blemish lotion helps to prevent blemishes and spot-flare-ups after periods of UV exposure. For skin prone to redness, sensitivity, even rosacea, SVR has created a lotion which is heat-regulating redness-reducing. With a “firewall” effect, it instantly and lastingly soothes sensations of overheating and redness.

FILORGA

FILORGA FACE ANTI AGEING SPF50+ & FILORGA BODY 50+
Filorga have these two factor 50 lotions which are formulated for the face and the body separately. The formula is enriched with sulforaphane which acts on the formation of wrinkles for smoother skin every time it is exposed to the sun. The body lotion is a collagen booster combined with hyaluronic acid and NCTF® which strengthens the skin’s elasticity to restore tone and firmness…pretty awesome stuff!

FILORGA BODY OIL 30
If you read the opening of this blog post you will know that I used to be an oil obsessive but in a bad way. With this factor 30 body oil you can actually speeds up the tanning process in complete safety as this oil is a tan-activating anti-ageing sun oil that protects the skin.

Which suntan lotions do you swear by and what SPF number do you use?