Summer Sun Essentials

It seems pretty silly to be writing about suncare when it's raining today but generally Paris has been very hot this summer. Last week I joined my family on the island of Gozo, which is part of the Maltese Archipelago. We had lovely weather when were there, most days it reached at least 30 degrees but because of the cool sea breeze it didn't feel unbearably hot. In the past I have never been that concerned with sun cream but now I see it more as an extension of my skincare routine. I turned 23 last month and I am convinced that I have lines on my forehead so I'm determined to prevent any further premature ageing of my skin. I already use a moisturiser with an SPF of 15 and sometimes wear a foundation containing the same. When I know I'm going to be outside in the sun or I'm on holiday I will use either a factor 20 or 30. The Avène sun cream was supposed to be anti-shine and it didn't do a bad job considering it's consistency and it lasted for hours and hours before I had to reapply it.

I didn't get along with the Biotherm Anti-Wrinkles Sun Cream nearly as well because it made my face a moon beacon of shinyness. It was impossible to wear under make up but great for a bare-faced day at the beach. It's water resistance was great and my face was still slathered in the stuff after a few hours of snorkelling. La Roche Posay Anthelios XL is fantastic for super sensitive skin. I used it right under my eyes and across the bridge of my nose/cheekbones. It was actually for my baby brother as 50 SPF is a little high for me but that part of my face is the only thing that has ever burned so I thought a little extra protection wouldn't go amiss. 

I know tanning oils are the devil and offer no protection, obviously that's whay 0 SPF means, but I had some really awful tan lines of my feet that I wanted to even out and this deliciously scented pomade-like cream did the trick nicely. Soleil des îles is quite a well known brand here in France for tan accelerators, I can't recommend anything that isn't safe but if you were of the persuasion to get an intense tan, this would be what you should use. I took along some Aloe Vera Aftersun Gel on the off chance I burned anywhere or in case my family forgot to pack any. Fortunately I didn't even need to open this and I found it for only a £1 in a pound store. 

Finally, no hot day is complete without a brumisateur! I've been going through bottles of la Roche Posay one like nobodies business but the Evian is a brilliant one and the first one I ever tried over a decade ago. It's a lovely fine mist of water that sprays evenly which makes a huge difference to some of the supermarket branded ones I've tried that squirt a jet into your eye. L'Occitane Verbena Refreshing Towelettes were perfect for a quick refresh and the scent is perfect for summer.

What are your summer sun essentials?

xo