It’s that time of year when (aside from deodorant) sun protection is becoming your most applied beauty product. It’s not glamorous but it is necessary, and as someone who suffers with prickly heat as soon as the sun pops out for more than five minutes, I’ve spent a lot of time looking into sun protection, trying to find lightweight, easy to apply solutions that keep my skin happy + protected.
When it comes to sun protection for the face, I have a list of requirements as long as my arm. I want a sunscreen I can apply pre makeup that won’t affect my makeup application, or alone that won’t leave my skin looking greasy. I want something that sinks in fast and doesn’t leave a tacky residue or white cast, something without a strong scent and, most importantly, something lightweight that lets my skin breathe, rather than clogging my pores. I really think I’ve found exactly that in the Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 35 Facial Sunscreen. It’s become an everyday staple for me, and is by far the best facial SPF I’ve tried.
I also keep repurchasing the little Bioderma Hydrabio SPF 30 sprays, they’re perfect handbag size and ideal for topping up your facial SPF throughout the day. The formula is super lightweight and the spray is gentle, so you can mist it onto your face and it won’t disrupt makeup, or leave you feeling greasy.
My bodycare favourites this year come exclusively from The Green People. My mum was the first person to introduce me to this brand, their natural and organic ethos aligns nicely with her own beliefs. I’ve tried a lot of their skincare thanks to her, so I had no hesitations about saying yes to trying out their sun protection range when an email popped up in my inbox.
I’ve been using their SPF15 Natural Tan Accelerator exclusively for around a month now and I’m obsessed (I’ve just ordered two more bottles to take on holiday with us). It’s fragrance free which is a big must for me, I’m not a fan of overly scented sun protection, and it’s formulated with UVA and UVB protection, meaning it’s got you covered from all angles. It doesn’t clog your pores so your skin is able to breathe, meaning I don’t come out in a nice sexy rash after half an hour. It’s lightweight on the skin, sinks in nice and quick so you’re not left feeling tacky, and it’s water repellant so it keeps you protected in the pool. This one also contains a natural tan accelerator which is supposed to help you tan faster!
I’ve also been using their Hydrating After Sun on days when I’ve been out in the sun a bit more. I love this stuff, because not only is it cooling and helps reduce peeling if you’ve gotten burnt, bit it also helps your skin retain moisture so you stay tanned for longer. It’s got lovely ingredients like Calendula and Aloe Vera to keep your skin soft + soothed.
All of these will be making their way on holiday with me next month! What are your SPF favourites?
The Green People very kindly gifted me their sun cream and aftersun to try out, but all ramblings and ravings about how great they are are entirely my own!