CLEARLY, THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST RODEO (OR INDEED YOUR FIRST SUNNY WEEKEND. EVEN IN THE UK, WE’VE SEEN A FEW OF THEM). SO WHY, YOU MIGHT ASK, IS YET ANOTHER MAGAZINE BEGGING YOU TO APPLY SUNBLOCK.

The answer is that although we know that it’s very old news that a good sun block (when combined with avoiding the mid-day sun, and staying in the shade) can help to prevent skin cancer and skin ageing, it’s one of those simple, obvious easy things that we don’t always do.

But if you want to live to a ripe old age (with the skin of a 21-year-old) this is one of the very best tools we can give you. Clearly, you know that there are countless sun screens on the market. Even a trip to your local supermarket for the weekly food shop will remind you of their existence. And even if some recent reports have indicated that not all sun screens contain the SPF promised on the bottle (so you may want to do a bit of googling), some protection is better than no protection! Also, if you’re on a mission to look after your skin this summer, we also like sites like Cancer Research for more general advice on staying safe in the sun.

Speaking of which, our friends at Clinique have written their own guide on sun safety and we rather liked it for getting straight to the point…

Sun Smart Dos and Don’ts

It’s one of beauty’s simple truths: skin safety goes way beyond the beach. Incidental sun exposure accrued throughout the year, no matter the season, is a major contributor to dark spots and uneven skin tone, not to mention lines and wrinkles. Be sun smart with Dr. David Orentreich, Clinique’s Guiding Dermatologist’s, dos and don’ts to help protect all skin types and tones.

DO wear sunscreen every day, even if you work in an office.
“For those of us who work indoors and go out at lunchtime, that 10 or 15 minutes of exposure every day can add up to hours—more hours than the relatively few we spend outdoors while on vacation at the beach. Protecting yourself daily can drastically reduce sun damage.”

DON’T skip sunscreen if you have darker skin.
“While it’s true that darker skins have more natural protection from the sun, don’t overestimate the natural protection you have and then overdo it in the sun. It’s a big mistake and, unfortunately, a common one.”

DO prevent uneven skin tone.
“An even skin tone is one of the key characteristics of youth and health. All skin tones, particularly melanin-rich ones, develop patches and spots of darker colour caused by what is essentially a defense mechanism. Skin defends itself from aggressors by overproducing pigment in an attempt to cover and protect healing skin. Limit sun exposure, and you can help prevent the darkening. A fragrance-free sunscreen is a must.”

www.clinique.co.uk

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