Sun Days.

Stay fresh-faced this summer with these great skin protectors

KID GLOVES

Photo: Shutterstock/
Valua Vitaly

Be extra careful if you’re taking the kids to the beach. Their sensitive skin needs a gentle sunscreen lotion, like the Australia-made MiniORGANICS Infant Sun Protection with SPF 15. Ingredients in this 100% natural cream include rich and soothing aloe vera extract, jojoba and shea butter. At pharmacies and maternity, baby and children’s stores for AU$29.95.

COOL THE HEAT

If you over did the sunbaking, soothe and nourish your skin with cooling gels and luscious creams designed for sunburn and dehydration. Jurlique Calendula Cream comes with honey and aloe vera, as well as other healing herbs (AU$65 at Jurlique, department stores and pharmacies). Both the Garnier Ambre Solaire Skin-Soothing Hydrating Milk and SOS Sunburn Balm have cooling cactus extracts and cost AU$10.49 from pharmacies. Salon-brand Nimue also has an after-sun hydrator, called sun-c, that heals sun-stressed skin with vitamin C and aloe ferox atAU$55.20 for 150ml (call 1300 464 683 within Australia for stockists).

GOING UNDERCOVER
Look like you’ve just stepped out of the pages of a travel magazine with this season’s must-have accessory – the floppy hat. We particularly love the Kookai Eva Floppy Hat (left), just AU$69 from all Kookai stores (tel: +61
(2) 9267 0289) and the Metallic Packable Super Floppy Hat (below) by Nine West (tel: +61 (2) 9264 4006), for AU$129 from all Nine West stores.

TWO IN ONE
If you think rubbing on sunscreen is just one step too many, the new Dermalogica Solar Defense moisturisers will leave you with no excuses. The no-nonsense brand developed by skin care professionals has three new formulations containing UV Smart Booster Technology which releases vitamins once in the sun. Prices start from AU$59 for the Ultra Sensitive Faceblock SPF 25 at Dermalogica outlets, freecall 1800 659 118 within Australia.

Ray-Ban

FACE OFF
Nothing says sunny days are here again more than a pair of this season’s coolest shades. One of our favourites is the new Bickle sunglasses by cult-brand Electric (AU$169.95, call +61 (2) 6680 7955) with less than a thousand of each style available worldwide. The Ray-Ban Wayfarer is back in vogue and as hot as ever – it comes in solid-colour plastic frames as well as tortoise-shell, from AU$149.95 . With Polaroid, it’s all about big lenses, retro styles and the colour black (AU$150.00, 1300 652 525 within Australia), while the maker of sporting eyewear, Smith Optics, takes on the urban jungle with their Street Series’ handmade acetate frames (from AU$199.95 for the Ramsay, +61 (2) 6639 5555).

GOOD HAIR DAY
Tackle the sun and sea head on with Aveda Colour Conserve Sun Protector. Designed for colour-treated hair, this conditioner has sun filters and sunscreen as well as organic rose geranium fragrance to make it extra special. AU$34.95 for 200ml, available from Aveda retailers.

HAWAII FIVE-OOH!
Stand out from crowds this summer by hitting the beach with Sunny Outdoor Life’s co-ordinated beach furniture and accessories. Their cheery Aloha range comes in beach seats, umbrellas, towels, totes and even beach paddles. Prices start from AU$19.95 for two beach paddles, two balls and a handy carry bag. For stockists, call +61 (3) 9421 6325.

INTERVIEW - ANDREW CHRISTIE

Andrew Christie is the beauty expert with Creative Brands, the company behind Le Tan in Australia. He’s been in the business for 11 years, although he’s only 29 years young! We asked him for his sun tips.

Summer’s almost here. Do we have to slap on sunscreen already?
Absolutely – provided it contains a broad spectrum SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Keep this gem by your side next time you venture out: dehydration creates a line, sun damage turns it into a wrinkle!

What’s the best way to enjoy the sun?
Apply a broad spectrum SPF at least 20 minutes before exposure and avoid direct light between midday and 2pm, when rays are at their peak.

How high is enough when it comes to SPF?
If it were a 35°C day, skin would start to burn in 10 minutes without protection. Application of an SPF 15 will technically turn 10 minutes’ burn time into 150 minutes before skin starts to burn. To be safe, an SPF 30, reapplied every two hours is optimal.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has the strictest SPF regulations of any such agency in the world. That’s why there’s no SPF greater than 30 on the Australian market and any product claiming SPF status above 15 is stringently tested.

How do we get the perfect tan?
Today’s perfect tan comes out of a bottle, tube or can. Today’s self-tanners have been masterfully perfected. For an affordable, easy, convenient at-home experience, try Le Tan Fast Tan.

Once a week in the shower, exfoliate the skin with body scrub or an exfoliating mitt, pat skin dry and apply self tanner. Apply more coats for darker results – wait an hour between applications. Blend a little moisturiser onto the knees, elbows and feet – these drier areas can ‘grab’ colour quicker.

Tell us about the latest Le Tan product. Do we have to be contortionists to apply it?
No! Le Tan Fast Tan Self Tanning Lotion comes with a sponge applicator so you can distribute enough product and also reach hard to get areas, such as the back. The sponge applicator is also available with the SPF 30 sun protection lotion.

Can you be in the sun when you’ve applied a self-tanning lotion?
Yes, just make sure your self-tanner contains an SPF or apply a separate SPF over the top about 30 minutes after self-tanning. Better still: use Le Tan’s new Daily Glow, the only face and body lotion with a gradual self tanner and an SPF 15 – it moisturises as it imparts a healthy glow and protects you with an SPF 15.

Le Tan Daily Glow retails at AU$7.99 and Le Tan Fast Tan Self Tanning Lotion at AU$11.99. Call 1300 650 981 (within Australia) for stockists.