Woman’s Weekly Living Series – July 2019

✿

Sunscreens that claim to be

waterproof must still provide

their SPF after 40 minutes’ swimming.

They’re generally more reliable and

longer-lasting than non-waterproof

types. However, it’s safest to think

of them as ‘water resistant’, and to

reapply each time you get out of the pool.

✿ UVAThese longwave

rays cause your skin to

tan, age and wrinkle – and

it’s this damage to your

DNA that can lead to skin

cancer. When the UVA logo

on the product is circled,

this means the product

contains at least the minimum UVA

protection recommended by the

European Commission.

✿ UVBShortwave rays are responsible

for sunburn. An easy way to remember

the difference is to think, ‘A’s for

ageing and B’s for burning’. If your

sunscreen lists ‘broad-spectrum

protection’, it means it defends

against UVA and UVB rays.

✿ Star ratingThe five-star system

pertains to the level of UVA defence.

Don’t go for a product with less than

three stars on the packaging.

✿ SPFThe Sun Protection Factor only

to the level of UVB protection.

✿ Level of protectionLow protection

refers to SPF 6-10, Medium to SPF

15-25, High is SPF 30-50 and an SPF

50+ is described as Very High.

✿ Use-by dateUsually shown

on the back of the

product, the open-jar

symbol shows how

long you can

safely keep

your sun

cream for

once

opened.

HEALTH

your bottle decoded

✿

For many, SPF mists are a the most

convenient option with their

quickly absorbed, easy to apply,

featherlight finish. But can a spray

really deliver the same amount of

protection as a lotion? Sprays

can evaporate before they

have a chance to bind with

your skin, so always apply

indoors. It’s important to

get a good, even coating

then rub it in to cover any

areas you might have missed.

Salt water, wind and

chlorine dry the skin,

but Vichy Capital

Soleil Beach Protect

Anti Dehydration

Spray SPF50+,

£18.50, contains

hydrating

hyaluronic acid

and Vichy’s own

Thermal Water

to help protect

and placate

dry skin.

doeS the texture

make a difference?

Ultrasun Family
High Sun
Protection
Sensitive Skin,
SPF30, £19, John
Lewis, lets skin
breathe and is
gentle enough for
sensitive types. It’s
particularly useful
for those who suffer
from prickly heat
and sun allergies.

Clarins UV Plus Day Screen

Multi-Protection, SPF50,

£32, soaks in so well that

there’s no excuse not to

apply it year-round

every morning

before you put on

your make-up. It

has a light feel,

but heavy-duty

action, protecting

against UVA

and UVB rays

and pollution.

With a Which? Best

Buy to its name,

Calypso Press and

Protect Sun Lotion,

SPF 30, £5.99,

thesuncareshop.com,

makes application

easy. A chart on the

back tells you how

many pumps are

needed for each

area of the body for

complete protection.

Did you^

know?

Sitting in the shade is

only equivalent to

SPF5-7 because the

sun’s rays bounce off

the ground.^

doeS Waterproof really

mean Waterproof?

Best for

sensitive

skin

Best for

dry skin

Best for

your face

Best for

foolproof

application