Top of the blocks - suncare you'll love to apply

Whenever I’ve quizzed beauty experts – be they dermatologists, makeup artists or cosmetic surgeons – for their pick when it comes to skincare that stops premature ageing in its tracks, they all agree that the most important thing you can do to keep your skin looking good well into old age is wear a sunscreen. Daily. No arguments, no forgetting on a cloudy day. Add to that the fact that an estimated 90 per cent of all melanomas in Australasia are caused by direct sunlight, making daily sunscreen use an absolute no brainer.
For those that find that your makeup “pills” when you try to apply it after sunscreen, your SPF may not have had a chance to fully absorb before you go in with your foundation or skin tint. If this happens, try prepping your skin with a hydrating mist before applying half a teaspoon of SPF at a time. This will allow your sunscreen to absorb more easily and help your makeup glide on without disturbing everything that’s gone before.

The difference between UVA and UVB
UVB rays make up around 5 percent of the UV rays that reach the earth, and are most prominent during the summer months. UVB is the biggest cause of sunburn and skin cancer, reaching the epidermis (top layer) of the skin.
UVA rays, on the other hand, are present all year round, penetrating through glass and clouds. UVA rays are longer than UVB, allowing them to travel into the dermis where they act as the biggest cause of premature ageing.
If you want to shield your skin against UVB and UVA rays (and trust us, you should) you’ll need to look out for the term “broad spectrum”, and make year-round application a non-negotiable.

Watch your application
If you’re serious about sun protection, you’ll want to be using the highest factor available, but keep in mind that your application technique has a big impact on how much protection you’re really getting.
SPF50 should block around 98 percent of harmful rays, but only if you’re using it as directed. That means applying a generous amount (roughly ¼ teaspoon for your face, ½ teaspoon for each arm and 1 teaspoon per leg, front torso and back torso) and topping up regularly – especially if you have been swimming or sweating.

Some of my faves
Most sunscreens last twelve months max after being opened, so if you’re still got some sitting around in your beach bag or glove box from this time last year then chuck it - ASAP! – and grab one of these winning formulas instead…

People4Ocean
Creating beautiful suncare solutions with a nod to the future of our planet, Melbourne based People40cean donates up to $1 from each product sold to reef conservation initiatives worldwide in an effort to reverse the damages done by global warming, overfishing and traditional sunblocks.
The brand’s Sunscreen SPF30 is a broad spectrum, 100 percent natural, deeply nourishing formula with a semi-matte mineral finish, while their Vegan Sunscreen SPF50 uses wax from the candelilla plant to replace beeswax in the award-winning formula. They also offer two types of Zinc Stick SPF50.

La Roche-Posay
I adore French skincare brand La Roche-Posay, which I used to bring back from France years ago before it was available in New Zealand. A cult pharmacy brand that has gone worldwide, their award-winning La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a lightweight formula well suited to even the most sensitive skin, and is small enough to carry in your handbag or to the beach.

Mecca Max
Light as air yet heavy on performance, Mecca Max’s Screen Saver SPF30 Facial Sunscreen has broad-spectrum protection and was designed specifically with makeup wearers in mind. Perfect for under any base, I gift this to so many of my friends every Christmas, and they are immediately hooked.

Mecca Cosmetica
Where suncare meets skincare, Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ Brightening Sun Serum is an ultra-lightweight formula offering sun protection, bolstered by three percent niacinamide to smooth the appearance of fine lines and boost radiance.
For the bod, the brand’s To Save Body SPF30 Radiant Sun Mousse is a joy to use – a luxuriously whipped sunscreen mousse that is easy to apply, feels weightless on the skin and imparts instant light-reflecting radiance and SPF30 broad spectrum protection.

Coola
A beautifully packaged collection of organic sun essentials produced out of Southern California, the Coola range includes a plethora of yummy products that are high performance yet delicate and kind on the environment. It is produced in limited quantity batches in California (where the company is based), meaning that the range can be reformulated often, taking advantage of new developments in sun science and labelling regulations almost as they happen.
The new Coola Organic Mineral Organic Sunscreen Stick SPF50 Fragrance Free is a mess-free, sheer sunscreen stick that glides on easily to protect while keeping your hands clean. Plus, it’s packed with certified organic ingredients and is reef safe to boot.