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STICK TO THESE SIX NEW SUNCARE COMMANDMENTS AND TAN SAFELY THIS SUMMER WITHOUT FEELING THE BURN

By Donna Francis

1. DITCH YOUR OLD SUNCREAM

We’re not suggesting you go out without protection, but gone are the days of chalky white, impossible-to-rub-in creams. Here are the latest high-tech textures to try:

* One-spray mists distribute sunscreen at any angle, making them great for hard-to-reach areas. Try Banana Boat Ultramist Sport in SPF30, £9.99.

* Powder protectors such as IS Clinical SPF20 Powder Sunscreen, £36, leave an invisible layer of UV particles on your face without disturbing your make-up.

* See-through SPFs have ultra-light formulations that don’t leave a sticky, greasy residue. Try L’Oréal Paris Solar Expertise Transparent Spray SPF20, £14.

2. BE A LABEL QUEEN

Never really sure what an SPF is? This year, it will become quite clear.

Thanks to EU regulations, suncare labels will display simplified gradings of low/medium/high protection.

So even on cloudy days, dark skin types should go for bottles marked low (SPF6 to 10); olive or tanned skins should buy medium (SPF15 to 30), and all other types should choose high (SPF30 and above).

For holidays, consultant dermatologist Dr Susan Mayou advises sticking to a high factor whatever your skin colouring.

She says: “If you spend more than an hour in the sun, you must choose a high SPF for ultimate protection."

3. DON'T HOLD BACK

If you still have sunscreen left from last year, shame on you.

According to the experts at Piz Buin, it’s probably because you don’t use enough protection.

An adult needs about three tablespoons of cream for a full-body application.

Last year’s leftovers should be binned, as most creams have a shelf life of 12 months once opened.

4. GET DOUBLE THE BENEFITS

The latest suncreams don’t just deliver a safe tan. These revolutionary products do double duty:

* The wrinkle-busting cream L’Oréal Paris Solar Expertise Anti-Ageing Suncare Collagen Protector SPF30, £15, contains ingredients that work deep down into skin to help boost collagen, which gives tissue firmness and strength, helping skin feel more toned.

* The anti-crow’s- feet stick Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Sensitive Eye SPF50+, £7.99, is a gentle won’t-make-your-eyes-water formulation that protects the eye area against fine lines and age spots.

* The control-your-shine SPF Vichy Capital Soleil Micro-Fluid Mat SPF30, £13, contains a mattifying agent to help mop up excess oil while you sunbathe.

* The rash-reducing sunscreen Biotherm’s Sensitive Skin Sun Milk SPF50, £16, uses organic rather than chemical sunscreens to help sensitive skin keep cool and rash-free.

5. EAT TO BEAT THE BURN

Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which guards against sunburn. Studies found that fair-skinned testers who ate 55g of tomato paste a day had a 30 per cent increase in skin protection after 12 weeks. And, yes, pizza does count.

6. UPGRADE YOUR AFTERSUN

Skin needs pampering post-beach, and a swipe of any old moisturiser simply won’t do. “Aftersun moisturises and keeps your tan for longer,” explains Dr Lionel De Benetti, head of research and development at Clarins. “It also helps reinforce the skin’s natural defence mechanisms.”

Here are three new formulas guaranteed to cheer up sun-exposed skin:

* The no-need-to-rub-in spray For sore red patches try Savlon’s new Aftersun Foam Spray, £6.99. No need to rub.

* The tan-boosting balm Clarins Ultra-Hydrating After Sun Moisturizer, £17, is fake-tan free, but contains safflower seed to boost production of melanin (the pigment that turns skin brown).

* The redness-reducing face cream If you’re suffering a lobster-like complexion, Boots Soltan Face Aftersun Lotion, £5.99, soothes sun-sore skin and helps prevent peeling.

 

WIN TANNING GOODIES

Win 10 Banana Boat Ultramist Sport SPF30
Try this spray mist for all your hard to reach areas. We have ten of these to giveaway! To enter, just click here and send over your details.
Competition closes at midnight on Saturday 14th June.
Usual Fabulous terms and conditions apply.

 

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

 

Win 10 L’Oreal Paris Solar Expertise Transparent Sprays
This see through formula has no sticky or greasy residue. We have 10 of these to giveaway!To enter, just click here and send us your details.
Competition closes at midnight on Saturday 14th June 2008.
Usual Fabulous terms and conditionss apply.

 

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

 

Win 10 Vichy Capital Micro-Fluid Mat SPF30
This has a matt texture to help you mop up excess oil on your skin. We have ten of these to giveaway! To enter, just click here and send us your details.
Competition closes at midnight on Saturday 14th June 2008.
Usual Fabulous terms and conditions apply

 

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

 

 

Stockists: Banana Boat (bananaboat.co.uk), Biotherm (0800 037 1020), Clarins (0800 036 3558), Boots (stores nationwide), Garnier (garnier.co.uk), IS (victoriahealth.com), L’Oréal Paris (stores nationwide), Savlon (pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide), Vichy (0800 169 6193)

Photography: Corbis, Studio21photo.com