As this long, hot summer continues, thoughts inevitably turn to sun protection. Now, don’t get me wrong, while the milky-limbed gloriousness of Miss Elson (or any likewise alabaster goddess of your choosing) might make the hearts of dermatologists – and my teenaged, Goth self – sing, I’m sanguine about the corned beef legged, 9 to 5 reality for us mere mortals. Let’s face it, we’re more likely to be getting our glow-on during an al-fresco lunch date with a wilting super-food salad than frolicking Gisele-like on a white, sandy beach. The bone saving, vitamin D-imparting benefits of basking in the sun are well documented, but equally well known is the price to be paid for overindulgence in its skin-zapping rays.  So, the question is; how do you stay flawless when it’s hot in the city and there’s work to be done and face to be saved?
If your formative tanning years hark back to an era of skin-basting with Johnson’s Baby Oil for that optimum mahogany finish, then Korre’s Walnut & Coconut Tanning Oil for Face and Body may well be the product to drag you, slipping and sliding, into this ozone-depleted century. Its water-resistant, oil-based texture is retro enough to satiate those Marie Helvin, deep tan fantasies, whilst it’s organic, environmentally and skin- friendly ingredients and SPF of 20 should satisfy your 2014 skincare know-better. Perhaps, your summer mantra is less ‘another Aperol Spritz’ and more, ‘What
Would Gwyneth Do’, in which case ‘clean’ sunscreens may be more your WholeFoods reusable bag. JASON, MyChelle and Yes to Cucumbers have all developed sun protection that is chemical and toxin-free, and so is even safe to use during pregnancy. These products substitute the usual chemicals used in many sunscreens for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, creating a physical barrier on the skin that doesn’t sink into the bloodstream. If you want to take ‘cleanscreens’ to a whole new level look to solely to Mama Pacha; their Red Raspberry Seed oil is the only natural oil with in-built protection against both UVB and UVA rays.  For all you fellow coconut-obsessives out there, the super-nut’s oil is a sun protection option for darker skins, providing an SPF of up to 8, depending on the quality of oil used. Product traditionalists among you, who prefer your coconut oil with pretty label from a pharmacy, can try Monoi Tiare Tahiti gorgeous, gardenia-scented Coconut Suntan oil (SPF 6).
Using sunscreen on face no longer means rocking that heavy, chip-shop shine or winter sport whiteout.  Technological advances in formulas mean sunscreen is now so sheer and matte in texture it can even be used as a primer. Sisley’s incomparable Broad Spectrum Facial sunscreen range is the LBD of facial sunscreens; available in 4 shades with SPF 30 or a colourless SPF 50 for fairer skins, consider it an investment in your Ghost of Summer Future. For broad spectrum SPF – protection against both UVB and UVA – at high street prices, the Aussies always deliver.  Top-notch sun protection is a serious business in Oz and is subject to stringent regulations. SunSense is the nation’s top-selling brand and its Daily Face SPF 50+ Invisible Tint sunscreen combines superior UVA and UVB protection with a lightly pigmented, matte finish that can be worn in place of, or under, your regular base. For sensitive skins, La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light sunscreen fluid has been universally lauded for its patented Mexoryl technology and weightless texture, making it ideal under make-up. Maintaining a sun-safe, flawless base in sticky, city humidity and during endless, sweaty Tube journeys need no longer be a problem.  Laura Mercier’s classic tinted moisturiser is a make-up artist staple, it evens out skin-tone, comes in a wide-range of formulas and finishes for all skin types, and has SPF 20.  For a natural alternative with similar, buildable coverage and SPF protection, seek out the tinted moisturiser by Argan oil pioneer and former model, Josie Maran. Indeed, there is a stream of innovative ways in which SPF is being incorporated into your everyday, hard-working, multi-tasking make-up bag. Think you can’t protect and powder? Think again. After hydrating the skin with a lightweight, vitamin infused, skin-brightening fluid such as Murad’s Essential-C Day Moisturise SPF 30, use the built-in brush in Bare Mineral’s portable SPF 30 Natural Powder Sunscreen to dust on the titanium dioxide mineral-based sunscreen. Finish by protecting cheekbones with Bobbi Brown’s Gel Bronzer (SPF 15).
As eyes are more than likely well-hidden behind your Wayfarers, take your cue from any of our girls above and let slick lips take centre stage with iconic sun brand Hawaiian Tropic’s SPF 25 Sun-Kissed lip glosses. I like Island Berry for that late-70s hedonistic red or keep it Hamptons with certified organic Juice Beauty’s emollient-rich, plant-oil based SPF 8 Tinted Lip Moisturiser Trio.
All that’s left to do is keep hair nourished and colour preserved with Beach Hair Spray by Phyto Plage or drenched in the shimmering, Macadamia oil-infused, UVA and UVB filtering goodness of Kerastase’s Soleil Huile Celeste and you’re ready to stay poolside at this summer’s private member’s club du jour.
And when dark, dreary October rolls around and you are struggling to recall the halcyon days of a long, hot summer spent drenched in shimmering, skin-saving, gorgeousness of the products mentioned here, a spritz of Demeter’s Suntan Lotion cologne, based on the smell of THAT seminal, 80s suntan lotion by Coppertone, is all you need to whisk you back poolside
before you can say “At Club Tropicana the drinks are free’…..