Luxury body sunscreens to use this summer
If mere mention of the word sunscreen conjures memories of a childhood being waylaid in your pursuit of the pool on holiday in order to be slathered up in a thick white paint that stings your eyes, sticks in your hair, stains your swimsuit and leaves you feeling all kinds of greasy, you won't be alone.
And you'd be forgiven for thinking suncreams still came in thick, heavy formulas. However, we're pleased to report that body sunscreens have been spruced up and are now sexier than ever.
Don't believe us? Let the luxury line-up below speak for itself — white-streaky lotions have been traded for non-sticky oils that glide on the skin, enhance your natural tan and have a blurring effect on the body. In the place of greasy sprays there are fine mists full of skin-loving active ingredients such as ceramides and antioxidants that work to repair any previous sun damage while protecting you from harmful UVA and UVB rays. There are even handy, hydrating SPF sticks ideal for those hard to reach places, and top ups for on the go.
Dr Florence Nadal, the scientific communication director at Lancaster Monaco confirms that texture is everything. 'We attach importance to texture and sensorial experience as we firmly believe that these two essential factors are key to encouraging consistent use and proper application,' she says.
'Sensoriality and texture are also crucial to provide an effective photoprotection and to prevent skin cancers,' she adds, by influencing user adherence.
The smartest sunscreens not only offer broad cellular protection but also work to combat other lights including blue and infrared. And when it comes to the most luxurious sun care products, you'll get added value in terms of skincare benefits. 'These high-end formulations may include actives that address additional skin concerns such as pigmentation, dryness, redness or visible signs of ageing,' Nadal says. 'The result is a dual-action product that protects and treats the skin at the same time, with refined textures and sensorial appeal that elevate the overall experience.' Now there's really no excuse to forgo the SPF.
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A combination of broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB alongside Dr Barbara Sturm's key anti-ageing ingredients — including her staple hyaluronic acid and natural extracts that work to nourish and moisturise the skin barrier — is all housed in this sleek white bottle. If you dread sticky and thick formulations you'll be pleasantly surprised by the super lightweight texture of this quick-drying body cream which is instantly absorbed into the skin and works behind the scenes to soothe skin that is sensitive towards the sunlight. Pair yours with the brand's recently launched Sun Drops for the face which helps protect you from future photo-ageing, damage and inflammation in one simple serum, and you're fully set for a summer of sunbathing. £100 for 150ml, Dr Barbara Sturm
Those with sun-sensitive skin or a fair complexion should invest in a serious body sunscreen to ensure they're protected from all environmental damage. Thankfully, Sisley's high protection body cream is just that — it provides both anti UVA and UVB protection as well as containing vitamin E acetate and Edelweiss extract to help protect the skin from oxidative stress, which is the principal cause of photo skin ageing. Naturally scented with essential oils of lavender and geranium, the moisturiser also contains shea oil to help restore suppleness and moisture that's lost from the skin's barrier when tanning. For those who don't want to tan but still want a healthy glow, Sisley's gradual tan is highly rated and offers a natural radiance rather than a wash of orange. £127.50 for 200ml, Sisley Paris
Some sunscreens can feel too heavy, some create unsightly white streaks and other have a greasy, oily finish. However, Dior's silky protective cream promises to be none of the above. As well as providing a high SPF 50 protection against UVA and UVB rays, the body cream is infused with the brand's unique Tan Beautifier Complex with added vitamin E and antioxidants to nourish and aid any pigmentation while enhancing your natural tan. The satiny finish on the skin as well as the floral fragrance are incentive enough to wear it everyday — rain or shine. £48 for 150ml, Dior
For some the idea of creams and lotions, no matter how well formulated, is enough to make their toes curl in their fancy flip flops. Let us introduce those people to Lancaster Sun's dry oil. This lightweight, water-like formula offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection, shielding skin from UVA, UVB, infrared and visible light. Plus, the brand's full light technology helps repair past sun damage and strengthen the skin's natural defenses against photo-ageing. Expect a shimmering veil and satiny finish. £32 for 150ml, Lancaster at Space NK
Founded in 1978 by the French pharmacist and expert in cellular biology, Jean-Noël Thorel, Institut Esthederm was one of the first sun care products to activate melanin, the skin's natural protective pigment. Since then, the brand has created a range of luxury sun protection products, including this hydrating body sunscreen that comes in a handy spray bottle, which encourages an even-looking tan and has a barely-there feel on the skin. £57 for 200ml, Institut Esthederm at Look Fantastic
Loyal lovers of Elizabeth Arden's bestselling Eight Hour Cream — the multipurpose balm that soothes, moisturises, protects and can be used on everything from brows to cuticles and hands — will be pleased to see there is now a suncream equivalent. This handy stick SPF will easily glide across both your face and body and take up next to no room in your beach bag. £19, Elizabeth Arden at Look Fantastic
The French skincare brand Caudalie's body SPF is a clever hybrid between an oil and refreshing water which creates an invisible, hydrating veil on the skin. Inside the lightweight formula there's added antioxidants to help protect your skin against free radical damage, plus all the ingredients are ocean-friendly — many sunscreens with UV filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate can be linked to marine toxicity — so you can have guilt-free dips in the sea. £32 for 150ml, Caudalie at Space NK
Keen swimmers need to invest in body sunscreens that are also water resistant. While we recommend topping up on all SPFs every two hours, Ultra Violette's hydrating hand and body sunscreen can last up to four hours even when you're taking dips in between. Founded in 2019 by Ava Matthews and Bec Jefferd (who previously worked at the major Australian cosmetics retailer Mecca), Ultra Violette's modus operandi is sunscreen infused with skin-loving ingredients. In this case, the lotion features a blend of pentavitin, skin-smoothing vitamin E and antioxidant-rich aloe vera. £55 for 500ml, Ultra Violette at Space NK
While Emma Lewisham's mineral SPFs are mainly for the face, the brand's latest addition to the sunscreen line-up, the body creme, has been designed to protect the neck, decolletage and hands — areas that are regularly exposed to sun damage. The pump applicator means you get every last drop out of the creamy formula and can invest in the refillable pods to stay stocked up each summer. £62 for 100ml, Emma Lewisham
It's a beauty insider secret that French pharmacy products are some of the best in the market and, Nuxe, founded by Aliza Jabès in the late 1980s, is a firm favourite. Loved for its vegan formulations and iconic multi-purpose dry oil, Nuxe's sun oil takes the nourishing staple formula and combines it with a high protection SPF and subtle shimmer that creates an illuminating finish on the skin and has a beautifully blurring effect on the body. £29 for 150ml, Nuxe
One of the first of its kind, Shiseido's body sunscreen features a protective veil which is actually strengthened by heat thanks to the brand's clever Heatwave technology that contains heat-activated sensors. This triggers a process that optimises the sunscreen's protective film to make it more effective in blocking harmful UV rays. The science doesn't stop there: Shiseido sun care products also include a SynchroShield technology which allows the film to self-repair in case it is damaged. £50 for 300ml, Shiseido at Look Fantastic
This all-in-one refreshing mist truly deserves a space in your beach bag this summer. Not only does the nourishing, easy to apply spray (simply shake and spritz across your face and body) help to combat the feelings of dryness that are inescapable when exposing your body to sun, but thanks to the addition of squalane, vitamin E and powerful ceramide in the formula, it can also be used on your hair. Simply add to the ends for nourishment and protection. £27.50 for 200ml, Vichy at Look Fantastic
The Times Luxury is brought to you by the award-winning team behind the Times Luxx magazine. For nearly 20 years the Times Luxx experts have been curating an unrivalled selection of the best in fashion, jewellery, travel, tech, cars, design, food, drink and more. The same rigour and insider industry knowledge underpins The Times Luxury. All the products and experiences recommended are thoroughly researched and vetted by our team. If we love it, we know you will too.
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