By now, I’m well versed in the fact that we need to be applying SPF daily (nod in agreement please) both in summer and winter (and at all moments in-between). But while I’ve become militant with smothering on the facial SPF, there are parts of my face and body that can sometimes get neglected.
Yep, I’m talking scalp, ears, hands and feet; those often-forgotten, surprisingly sensitive areas that you only remember need smothering with after a day in the sun, when they’ve turned a redder shade than the rest of you. If you’ve ever slicked your hair back into a Sofia Richie-style bun and forgotten to SPF your parting, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Ouch.
Dermatologist Dr Rabia Malik also notes how the back of the neck and décolletage are easily forgotten and as a result, end up showing a lot of sun damage in later years. To sum it up: you need to apply SPF to every bit of you that’s exposed to the elements.
Just like there are facial SPFs for all skin types, there are dedicated sun-protecting formulas for the rest of your body, too. After all, your everyday SPF probably isn’t the best consistency to be slathering onto your scalp or lips, and if you start using it on your hands it’ll run out pretty quickly. Thankfully, with the rise in awareness around the importance of sunscreen, brands are bringing a wider offering of formulas, applicators and consistencies to the table, so there really are no more excuses.
How does sun exposure affect these areas?
The unfortunate and most dangerous thing about sun exposure is that the serious side effects don’t start showing up until later in life, often making it too easy to brush off the importance of sun care once the temporary sunburn has disappeared.
“Our décolletage is often neglected when it comes to applying sun protection and as a result, chronic sun damage really starts to show up in terms of lines and uneven skin tone from about our 40s onwards,” says dermatologist Dr Rabia Malik.
She adds: “In the short term, UV exposure to the lips can result in dryness, scaliness, cracked lips and irritation. Sunburn to the lips can result in blisters, similar to those that occur on other areas of the body. In the long term, chronic UV exposure can lead to lip discolouration and darker spots.”
As for the sensitive skin on your head, too much sun exposure is not only uncomfortable, it can result in a burnt, flaky scalp – not exactly the slick summer vibe you’re looking for.
So, to help protect yourself all over, we’ve lined up six of the very best everyday SPF essentials that make applying sun care a total breeze.
Best SPF for scalp: Malibu SPF30 Scalp Protector
While our hair does a good job of covering most of our scalp, there are some parts (i.e. your parting) which are prone to getting a little crispy after a few hours in the sun. To protect yourself and prevent the post-sun flaky scalp, get misting with Malibu’s SPF30 Scalp Protector, £3.79, Whitworth Chemists. Its non-sticky and lightweight formula is much less greasy than a normal oil spray, and the tropical scent will have you dreaming of holidays.
Another great (and budget-friendly) option is the SPF 30 Scalp Protect Spray, £7, Revolution Haircare. The coconut oil-infused formula is designed to shield your scalp from UVA rays, and the targeted nozzle means it’s easy to apply along your partings. The formula is also water-resistant (so it’s sweat, sea and pool-proof) and non-greasy, so you can reapply as much as you need without affecting your hairstyle. A must-pack for your next trip.
Best SPF for nose and ears: Thank You Farmer Sun Stick SPF50+
The other day I realised 80% of my beauty bag is stick formulas and that I might have a stick addiction, but who can blame me. This fuss-free Thank You Farmer Sun Stick SPF50+, £23, Selfridges is the ideal size for getting into your nooks and crannies (we’re talking ears here, people) and saves you from getting greasy hands. For a triple threat, it also contains Centella Asiatica, Asiatic Acid, and Calamine to keep skin balanced and hydrated.
For a completely invisible formula that goes on as clear as water, then Hello Sunday The Take-Out One –Invisible Sun Stick SPF 30, £18, Boots, should be your protector of choice. The vegan, super-light formula is guaranteed to work on every single skin tone (no white casts here) and you can smooth it along your hairline and partings, too. Plus, it smells like lime, geranium and mint – it’s summer in a (UVA and UVB-shielding) stick.
Best SPF for over makeup: Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Hydrating Face Sun Cream Mist SPF50
The rule is that you should be re-applying SPF every two hours, which is all well and good unless, like many of us, you’re wearing makeup when you go outside. Enter your new best friend: the Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Hydrating Face Sun Cream Mist SPF50. This nifty can delivers factor 50 sun protection through a light mist that you can spritz onto your face without disrupting your makeup. It’s also got hyaluronic acid for a hit of hydration, which in my experience, is always welcome.
For a protective mist with added glow, try Preen Screen™ SPF 50 Reapplication Mist, £32, Ultra Violette. The water-like mist offers an undetectable veil of SPF 50 protection that refreshes existing makeup with a soft, lit-from-within glow. It also contains skin-soothing ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamins C and E, aloe vera and visabolol, and comes in a handbag-friendly mini size, £15, Ultra Violette for on-the-go touch-ups.
Best SPF for hands: Ultrasun SPF25 Anti Pigmentation Hand Cream
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the past couple of years, it’s the everyday wear and tear that our hands go through. To give them some TLC and practical protection, carry a tube of Ultrasun SPF25 Anti Pigmentation Hand Cream, £20, Marks & Spencer with you wherever you go. Not only does this hand cream give UVA and UVB protection, it also contains niacinamide, ceramides and prickly pear seed oil to help reverse pigmentation that already exists and improve the smoothness and texture of your hands. Handy, huh?
For protection with an added scent boost, Rihanna has your back with her Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Mineral SPF15 Hand Cream, £14, Sephora. Its tropical, floral scent is the same as the delicious Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream, £32, Sephora, and the benefits don’t end there. It contains zinc oxide to shield skin from UVA and UVB damage, vitamin E to protect against environmental stressors and Barbados cherry and mangosteen extracts to soften and smooth skin. The ultimate hand cream, if you ask me.
Best SPF for lips: Hello Sunday The One For Your Lips Lip Balm
Lip balms are a must-have in hot weather (dry, cracked lips are nobody’s friend), but sun protection is often overlooked. Kill two birds with one stone and grab yourself a lip balm with SPF to keep your pout plump and most importantly, not burnt. The One For Your Lips Lip Balm, £7, Hello Sunday has a silky-smooth formula that leaves lips with a dewy, glossy finish, proving that a practical SPF 50 can still look good.
If you have sensitive skin, then Malin + Goetz SPF30 Lip Balm High Protection, £14, Cult Beauty is the way to go. The fragrance, flavour and colour-free formula is enriched with fatty acids and plant protein-based nutrients to nourish skin, while protecting with SPF 30. Plus, it leaves a deliciously glossy finish to lips – no extra product required.
Best SPF for makeup top ups: Supergoop (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF30
If you have oily skin, topping up with a liquid SPF is probably the last thing you want to do when you’ve already got a makeup-sliding-off-face situation. To keep your base looking fresh and give your skin some added sun protection throughout the day, make sure you’ve got Supergoop’s Mineral Powder SPF30 in your bag at all times. Its handy size takes up minimal space and with a built in brush (and lid), application on the go is a breeze.
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