We all know that we should wear SPF every day but, as summer is finally here, this is advice that we need to take seriously. Most of us are pretty good at buying big bottles of suncream when we have a two-week beach vacation but you also need protection on those short, hand-luggage-only weekend city breaks so here is our choice of great SPF30 and 50 products that will tuck easily into your bag for travelling or for mid-afternoon re-applications. And don’t forget the back of your neck and ears…
Darling Glowy Screen SPF50+
This charmingly named sun cream comes from the cool, vegan Italian brand Darling and comes in a handy 40ml size. It’s very light to apply and sinks straight into the skin with no shininess. As a double whammy, it also promises ‘a glow from within’ so you look healthy even first thing in the morning. The scent is a subtle fruity one so it won’t clash with your fragrance either. Get it here.
Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF50
This SPF is so light and suitable for sensitive skin it can even be used around the eyes for protection when not wearing sunglasses. It’s oil-free so it doesn’t leave a sticky feel after application and it’s virtually fragrance-free. The small solid case can be slipped easily into your pocket during the day too.
Salt and Stone Sunscreen Stick SPF30
Solid sunscreen sticks are a useful part of your SPF arsenal as they also fit into a pocket and are less messy to apply. This one comes from Salt and Stone – a skincare company based in LA where they really know about sun protection – and is in a useful small 15g size. Being solid, it takes a bit more rubbing in but is great for the nose and forehead during the day.
Lanserhof Lab Face Sun Cream SPF30
Created by the ultra-swanky German Lanserhof spa group, this is a luxury product that does all the heavy SPF work but also has antioxidants and even anti-stress ingredients to help regenerate sun-damaged skin. One disadvantage is that even though it’s only 100ml, the bottle is quite heavy so it’s not really cross-body-bag friendly but it smells gorgeous and is lovely to use so maybe it’s a post-shower treat and leave it in the bathroom.
Woods Facial Sunscreen SPF50
Summers in Denmark can pass with very little actual sunshine but that hasn’t stopped Danish brand Woods from developing a really good sunscreen. Their SPF50 one is smooth and non-sticky and totally fragrance-free. It’s also good for older skin and won’t damage coral reefs should you be lucky enough to be snorkelling near one on your vacation.
