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SPF - the most important thing in your kit
OK, so summer's at an end. The Hawaiian Tropic goes to the back of your bathroom cabinet til next May and your panama is chucked on top of the wardrobe. The sunny days are over, yes, but that's no reason to remove sunscreen from your daily regime. If you're applying anti-ageing, brightening and anti-wrinkle products but eschewing sunscreen, you might as well flush it all away. "Applying sunscreen religiously is the best way to prevent dulling and premature ageing," says skincare expert, Dr Paula Begoun, "From the very first moment of sun exposure your skin is open to damage."
The thing is, the attack on your skin isn't confined to holidays - UV rays are coming for your skin all the year round. You're not even safe inside. Did you know , for example, that UV rays can penetrate glass? Studies have shown that there is a higher occurance of malignant melanomas on the window-side of drivers' skin. Do you work in an office with lots of windows? You could be sitting at your desk all day ageing slowly but surely if you're not wearing an SPF.
There's never been a better time to work an SPF cream into your daily regime, either. It's no longer about slathering on a thick, greasy lotion that leaves your pores clogged and your nose looking chalky. Here are a few of the best daily moisturisers that pack some serious protection.
Nia24 Sun Damage Prevention UVA/UVB Sunscreen SPF 30 £37 - Nia24 provides a sunscreen shield plus anti-ageing skin protection - the Niacin content stimulates DNA repair and helps reinforce the skin's natural barrier, preventing and repairing signs of sun damage. Happily it's also light and fragrance-free, sitting comfortably under makeup to quietly defend your skin.
Alpha H Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 £27 - Considering how quickly and seamlessly this lotion sinks in, the high SPF is quite extraordinary. It's also packed with antioxidants and calming aloe vera for smoothed-out, hydrated skin.
Invisible Zinc Silk Shield SPF 30+ £34 - This isn't foundation with an SPF, it's a skin-refining creme sunscreen which happens to cover imperfections and even skin tone. With Zinc Oxide protection to reflect the sun and block UV rays, the creme dries to a powder finish.
Clarins 50+ UVA/UVB Sun Wrinkle Control Cream for Face £17 - Clarins is one of the top premium anti-ageing skincare brands in our market, so it makes sense their Wrinkle Control Cream with the highest SPF going would deliver on both fronts. It's the beauty insider's product of choice - Nichola Joss, Emma Hardie and Adam Reed all packed it in their beachbags this summer.
Paula's Choice Resist Cellular Defense Daily Moisturiser SPF25 £25.15 - A great choice for skin that tends towards dryness, or those with sensitivities or rosacea. Paula Begoun called on her experience as a scientist and tester of every skincare product going to formulate the best alternative. You can trust this cream to offer optimum protection (including serious anti-oxidant clout) without irritating your skin.
And another thing... Cult Beauty started stocking US brand, FIX Malibu this summer, a fully-formed skincare regime based around repairing all manner of sun damage. September is the perfect time to start incorporating the products into your day. Featuring powerhouse ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Retinol and R-Lipoic Acid, FIX Malibu uses antioxidants and humectants to restore skin's peachy smooth surface.
Text: Grace Timothy





