UVA protection

Gone are the days when summer sun protection meant sticky, bright white creams that dissolved in the swimming pool. The latest sun care products are designed to be more effective than ever, while keeping the skin calm with light, easily-absorbed formulations.

Here are some of my favourite high-tech sun care products for summer holidays…

Piz Buin Wet Skin

Piz Buin Wet Skin (£17.99) is a brilliant new product that you must pack in your suitcase for summer holidays. The light-weight sprays have a transparent, light oil texture and are available in SPF15 and SPF30.

They can of course be applied to dry skin as usual, but the best thing is that you can spray directly onto wet skin, straight from the sea or swimming pool. Piz Buin Wet Skin cuts through the water on the skin, so it doesn’t slide off and offers more efficient protection against sun damage.

I tested Piz Buin Wet Skin in both SPFs recently on the beach in Ayia Napa and again in the intense dry heat of Beijing and humid Shanghai. I liked that the oil absorbs into the skin well and it’s so quick and easy to apply – plus, I didn’t burn once.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid (£16.50) is the ideal suncare fix for those who find regular sun creams for the face too heavy and greasy. It is an essential suncare product for sensitive and sun intolerant skin and is best-suited to normal and combination skin.

The white fluid has a milky texture and absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving a soft base for a touch of make-up if you’re on a city break, or on its own if you’re hitting the beach. Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid helps combat UVA rays with a filter system that combines Mexoryl with the natural cell protector Senna Alata. It is also waterproof, non-comedogenic and free from paraben and fragrance.

SPF 50+ is very high, so it helps keep out the harmful rays and protect the delicate facial skin, however my face still had a healthy glow from the sun. Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid is now also available as a tinted fluid.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil is a must for preventing the sun from drying out hair and preserving hair colour. The super light water-resistant UV defense mist creates an invisible barrier and locks out sun exposure for up to 16 hours.

It contains UV/UVB filters derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils, natural anti-oxidants including green tea extract and a blend of organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils to detangle and nourish. Its tropical aroma of neroli, ylang ylang and cistus gives it that luscious holiday scent and lifts the spirit in the way that Aveda products are designed to do.

What are your summer sun care favourites? Do you have a top tip for avoiding sun damage?

* samples

Last week, Aveda invited Handpicked Media bloggers to try out their new summer products over champagne and canapes in the ultra-swish Terrace Suite at The Soho Hotel.

On arrival, I was coaxed straight into the stylist’s chair where the dashing Olivier took control of my wayward tresses. We decided to keep the wave in my hair, but make it more polished with a bouncy blow-dry.

Olivier used Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother to tame and moisturise my hair before blow-drying. Within less than ten minutes, my hair was super shiny and volumised at the crown with loose cascading curls.

Aveda has been my hair care indulgence since my late-teens and few brands have been able to match it for quality and results.

We were kindly given Aveda’s new Inner Light Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF 15 to take away. Every colour was there for us to experiment with and I colour-matched my skin, finding that my perfect shade was 02/Beechwood for fair skin.

This summer, I’ve been converted to tinted moisturisers instead of foundation, as they cover the skin evenly and don’t tend to cling so much to dry patches.

The tinted moisturiser has a medium, smooth texture and gives good coverage. It left my skin feeling fresh, dewy and luminous. For problem areas, just build up the coverage with some concealer.

At first, I was concerned that it might just sit on my skin, but it absorbed well and won’t cause any breakout problems, as it’s oil-free and non-acnegenic.

A new range for summer holiday hair is the Aveda Suncare 16-hour UV defense and recovery system. Start with the Aveda Suncare Hair and Body Cleanser, follow with the Protective Hair Veil before stepping into the sun. At the end of a sun-filled day, treat your hair to the After-Sun Hair Masque, which nourishes and repairs hair with a restorative blend of tamanu oil, organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils.

We were given the Aveda Protective Hair Veil to try out, but since it rained non-stop all weekend, I’ll have to pray to the sun gods before giving the verdict on this one. It does feel lovely though and has that delicious Aveda scent. Just looking at it makes me want to escape to the sun; if you get there first try out the Protective Hair Veil and report back!

See Aveda’s new summer products at www.aveda.co.uk

All photos by Chérie City.

The Best Summer Sunscreen

Piz Buin Wet Skin

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Extreme Fluid

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

Aveda Summer Drinks at The Soho Hotel