The importance of sunscreen, even in Winter! Some of my recommendations….

Yes, you read right…..even in Winter! Okay, let me state for the record, that I absolutely detest(ed) sunscreen. It’s greasy and thick and it usually leaves me feeling very uncomfortable and like a greaseball. As a result….I have barely ever worn sunscreen in my 30 odd years on earth. Recently though, I’ve made the shocking discovery that sunscreen is key in protecting my skin from not only skin cancer (I knew that one), but also:

• Pigmentation
• Wrinkles
• Premature ageing of the skin

I know skin cancer should be THE one to fear, but they should have led with wrinkles! The number of school sports days I have sat through, 5hrs in the sun…looking like a cherry tomato at the end of the day?? Me thinking that the worst thing about that, was the burn!?? Now I discover that my silliness may lead to wrinkles??? I am not ready people! Not at all…… Also, jokes aside people…Skin Cancer is flippin bloody scary!

I’ve dabbled in sunscreen for my face, but I definitely was not consistent. By ‘not consistent’, I mean I wore it maybe 3 times a month. I know, I know….I should be ashamed of myself. I’ve changed my ways though, and I now do not go a day without a good SPF…okay maybe one day I’ll skip, but most days I am good! I thought that today I’d share with you some of the sunscreens I’ve been using and that I really like!

PREVAGE® CITY SMART BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 50 PA + HYDRATING SHIELD

What do they say/claim?

Every day in cities all over the world, the environment is visibly aging your skin; in fact, 80% of all signs of skin aging are due to environmental aggressors such as UV rays, pollution and smoke. Recognizing the global epidemic of pollution, Elizabeth Arden, the leading authority in high-tech environmental anti-aging solutions, introduces a first-of-its-kind invisible skin shield: new PREVAGE® City Smart + DNA Enzyme Complex™ + Anti-Pollution + Antioxidants Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ Hydrating Shield.

This product claims to:

• PROTECT: Anti-Pollution Shield Technology forms an invisible protective barrier to help prevent harmful toxins and pollution particles from penetrating skin. 100% Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen (micronized Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide) filters out UVA and UVB rays.
• PREVENT: A potent, patent-pending Anti-Pollution Complex is comprised of an exclusive antioxidant blend of Idebenone, the world’s single most powerful antioxidant, Green Tea, Thiotaine, Ferulic Acid and L-Carnosine, to neutralize free radical damage caused by pollution and UV exposure, including both oxygen-based and nitrogen-based free radicals. In addition, City Smart also helps to prevent the appearance of future signs of skin aging, including lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
• STRENGTHEN: A DNA Enzyme Complex™ formulated with purified enzymes derived from Plankton, Arabidopsis Thaliana, and Ocean Bacteria extracts helps protect against free radical damage and supports skin’s natural repair process against oxidative stress. Skin’s elastin and collagen matrix are protected and its natural recovery process is strengthened resulting in healthier, more resilient looking skin.

My thoughts

This product is really lightweight, but I feel it’s nourishing as well. On lazy days I use this as a moisturiser and SPF in 1, because it makes my skin feel that good. I don’t find it greasy at all and I think the slight tint is universal and suits all skin types. Also this works very well under my makeup. This cream doesn’t leave the dreaded white cast on my skin, which is great.

Also, this has a pump dispenser which is great! I really enjoy this product and was devestated to have lost mine recently.

RSP R799 for 50ml.

Side note: A newer offering from Elizabeth Arden is the Great 8 moisturiser, that is a moisturiser that contains a SPF35. This is my current absolute favourite! – You can read about it over HERE.

Eucerin Sun Creme CC Creme

What do they say/claim?

The Eucerin Sun Protection range offers comprehensive protection against sun damage. All products provide highly effective photostable UVA and UVB filter system and skin cell protection. Many also offer DNA protection. The product contains ingredients like: 

• LICOCHALCONE A  – an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that is derived from the roots of the Chinese licorice plant. This plant uses the antioxidative efficacy of Licochalcone A to protect its cells against UV-radiation.
• GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID- derived from the roots of the Chinese liquorice plant. Glycyrrhiza glabra, and is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been shown to support skin´s own DNA-repair in skin that has been damaged by UV-irradiation.
• HYALURONIC ACID 1 – a substance which is formed by skin cells and is part of the connective tissue of the skin. One of its key functions is to retain moisture. It has the ability to bind in between 1,000 and 10,000 times its own weight in water 

My thoughts

The fact that this is a CC creme really appealed to me. Multi-purpose products are always a win for a busy mama on the go. I am obviously drawn to a product that can protect and cover some blemishes at the same time. I don’t think that it has too much coverage though, the tint is ever ever so slight. This also has a slight pink undertone to it, but I feel like it sinks into the skin, so it’s not something I notice after 2 minutes. Formula wise it’s lovely and leaves the skin feeling….demi-matte I’d say. This doesn’t leave me feeling greasy at all. This is great for days where you hope it will even our your skin tone in addition to the SPF it provides. Another one with a pump dispenser….which I love!

RSP R209,95 for 50ml.

Heliocare Advanced Gel SPF 50

What do they say/claim?

Heliocare Gel SPF 50 (Oil-Free) is a topical sun protection gel in an innovative lightweight formulation that is quickly and uniformly absorbed to protect the skin against daily environmental challenges. A suitable sunblock for normal, combination and oily skins. Key Ingredients include FernBlock®, a natural plant extract from Central America with proven photoprotective properties together with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection that leaves no residue on the skin. Innovative FernBlock® offers potent photo-immunoprotection protecting your skin, not only from the sun but also enhancing your skin immunity. FernBlock® is also a natural antioxidant which protects skin from harmful environmental aggressors.

My thoughts

After losing my beloved Prevage City Smart, and wanting something that was ‘tint free’ for makeup days/no-tint days, I picked this up. Off the bat, I don’t know why this is called a gel? It feels like a very lightweight cream, but does not scream ‘gel formulation’ to me. Not ‘gel’ as I conventionally think of gel and what I expected it to look like. Again this one gets absorbed into the skin very quickly, no greasy residue and no white cast. That is basically all that I require from a SPF for my face. It works well under my makeup as well, so yay for that!

The only ‘negative’ is that this comes in a tube, so make sure to close it properly or it will leak or accumulate around the opening.

RSP R295 for 50ml.

Vichy Ideal Soleil Anti-blemishes Spf 30

What do they say/claim?

Daily sun protection with triple anti-blemish action. Tested on acne-prone skins. Protects skin to prevent skin imperfections , matifies for upto 9hrs, anti-shine, corrects spots & pores. Suitable for adults with oily acne-prone skin.

My thoughts

I’m touching on this one very briefly, because I don’t have it anymore. This is great for really oily skin….this mattifies like no other. I also love that this treats spots while it’s protecting against the harmful rays of the sun. It’s only got a sun protection factor of 30 though, but if you’re not in the sun for extended periods (like me, in an office all day), then I think this is perfectly fine. I’m no skin expert though, so always make sure you know what sort of SPF requirement you have/need for your skin. For a full review on this product though, please click HERE.

Lastly this one is also in a tube, so same ‘negative’ as the Heliocare.

RSP R265

This is just a round-up of all the sunscreen I currently have in rotation and the ones that tick all the boxes for me. I hope you’re wearing sunscreen every day, even on the days the sun isn’t out! Remember, even when it seems the sun isn’t out, UVA rays are still around that cause damage! Let me know what you’re using and if you’ve tried any of these out.