Discover the latest products for all your suncare solutions

The sun is your skin’s biggest beauty enemy. With ozone levels at a record low and ultraviolet levels at an all-time high, SPF should be part of our daily regimes, not something we reserve for holidays and heatwaves.

Luckily the suncare industry is one step ahead, with high-tech formulations and skin-enhancing ingredients to make application easier.

“We are all guilty of neglecting our skin on occasion, but skin cancer rates are on the rise, so it’s more important now than ever to keep protected,” says Dr Sam Bunting, cosmetic dermatologist.

Be a safe sun goddess with our expert golden guide.

Dilemma: I’d like to apply suncare in the mornings and be able to put my clothes on immediately afterwards.

Solution: “Look for sun fluids with ’Dry Touch’ technology,” Dr Bunting recommends. “This type of suncare was a breakthrough in the US in 2013 and addressed a significant barrier for people who found sunscreen too thick and sticky for comfort.”

Dilemma: I have leftover suncare from last summer and I’m not sure if it’s safe to use.

Solution: “By law, any cosmetic product (including sunscreens) has to have a shelf-life of at least 30 months, or it has to be labelled with a use-by date,” says Clare O’Connor, Boots suncare expert.

“A product bought last summer should be fine to use up this summer, but products purchased two summers ago should probably be replaced. If you want to check a product, look at it and smell it. It should appear bright and shiny with no seepage of any liquid and no separation. If there is any contamination, there’s usually an ‘off’ smell and the product should be discarded.”

Dilemma: My makeup contains SPF but I don’t know if this is sufficient to protect me against the sun.

Solution: “With ‘SPF’ written on many makeup products, it can be tempting to skip applying sun protection all together, but this can leave your skin dangerously exposed,” warns Paul Banwell, surgeon and skin cancer expert. “Get into the habit of using a high-factor SPF daily and then applying your makeup on top, or choose a high-tech SPF tinted moisturiser or sun BB.”

Dilemma: I’m never entirely sure if I’m wearing enough SPF and how long each bottle should last.

Solution: “A full body application should utilise at least 35ml, to ensure maximum coverage and complete protection,” advises pharmacist Seena Seka. “It’s often difficult to know how much is enough when it comes to applying sun lotion to yourself or your family, so look for guide bottles, with a chart on the back showing how many presses are needed to cover each body part.”

Dilemma: I burn very easily and would like to boost my skin’s resistance to sun damage.

Solution: “Apart from applying an SPF and avoiding peak times when the sun is at its hottest, you can increase skin’s protection by eating antioxidants via fresh fruits and vegetables, or nutritional supplements,” says Dr Luca Russo, lecturer in cosmetic dermatology.

Help even out skin tone from sun damage with complexion brightening pads. Our testers boost their skin with three contenders:

* Origins Modern Friction Instant Brightening Pads, €44 for 40 pads (Boots)

These double-sided pads have quite an overwhelming, alcoholic smell. Advised to use twice weekly on clean skin, I applied the thin pad in a circular motion and felt a slight tingling sensation. Afterwards, my complexion felt smoother and looked brighter.

3/5

* bareMinerals Intensive Glow Pads Brightening Treatment, €39 for 60 pads (Debenhams)

Super-skinny pads but reasonably priced.

Powered by ActiveSoil Complex, they felt soothing on my sensitive skin and, after continued use, my skin looked brighter and more even in tone.

4/5

* Colbert MD Tone Control Facial Discs, €80, plus p&p, for 20 pads (uk.spacenk.com)

These small but dense discs are packed with product and have a delicate scent. I circled them over my face for 60 seconds at a time, as directed, and was greeted with a lovely post-facial glow.

A hefty price-per-pad, but an effective occasional skincare booster.

4/5