Summer is here! Well, almost. Soon we’ll be ditching the boots and long sleeves for good, (at least I hope we will) and we’ll need to stock up on some sun smart products, to ensure we stay safe and protected all summer long!

Check out our top picks for a sun smart summer for face and body…

For the face

Remember whether you’re spending time in the sun, catching a tan or plan to spend most of the day mostly under your umbrella, don’t leave the house without protection. Your face is exposed to sun rays pretty much all the time, regardless of whether the sun is shining or it’s overcast.

• For days on the beach, by the pool or when going for walks, a wide brim hat is a must! We love this floppy hat from Woolworths (R99.99).
• Your eyes need protection too! Don’t compromise style by investing in a pair of these trendy, blooming beautiful over sized sunnies from Dolce & Gabanna’s ‘Garden Party’ themed collection. Get them at Sunglass Hut (R2290).
• Protect the skin with an element barrier. Nimue Barrier is a dual skin barrier that helps to protect and strengthen the skin’s natural lipid barrier resistance and keeps it protected against dehydration and inflammation. Perfect for summer (R345).
• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturizer for face with SPF 15 (R205) offers a grease-free sun smart application. This product is great for daily moisturizing when you’re not planning on going full force into the sun.
• Payot Benefice Soleil, Anti-Aging Protective Cream with SPF 30 (R420) is another great anti-aging sun screen for face. I love the pump applicator, ensuring you get just the right amount. The formula is also grease free and gives your skin a great, moisturized feeling.
• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defense for Face SPF 50 (R185) is my absolute fave product at the moment! My skin is prone to pigmentation, so I’d rather use a higher SPF all the time. It has a great scent and doesn’t get “too much” or “too greasy” even if I apply it over my moisturizer, which I often do. It absorbs instantly into the skin so you don’t get a thick layer of product, leaving you with a clean, clear canvas to apply your makeup.
  

For the body

Beach babes, this is your time to shine!

• Priori Daily Defense SPF 30 (R452.87) is a great face and body anti-aging, sun protecting cream. It’s ideal for your holiday beach bag as it’s super compact.
• One of my must-have products is Tropitone Deep Tan Dry Oil with SPF 6 (R74.99). I know the SPF is pretty low on this product, but hey, it’s better than nothing and a great product when you’re after a beach bronzed bod!
• Simply Aloe Sun Cream with Spf 30 is packed with Aloe Ferrox gel, conditioning agents and Vitamin E to moisture and nourish your skin while you bake.
• I love, love, love this colourful, trendy beach bag from Accessorize. It’s great for keeping your sun cream as well as those other beach must-have goodies!
• A product that will probably last you all summer long, (it’s 300ml) is Vichy Capital Soleil High Protection Milk with SPF 30 (R259). Its completely fragrance free, although it still smells good and it can be used on your face and body and is ideal for adults and children.
• Another fave, again from Tropitone, Active Sport Cream with SPF 30 (R85.99) is ideal for a day of beach volleyball. It’s a spray applicator which is great, but they also have an Aerosol spray version (R85.99) which is by far, one of the best spray-type sunscreens that actually works. You don’t even have to rub it in afterwards, which I love!
• Clarins 50SPF Spary Solaire Sun Care Milk (R320) not only smells good, but hello, it’s SPF50 and it’s Clarins – and they really know how to care for skin. Although you do have rub it in after you spray, it feels fabulous and even gives your hands a bit of protection! It’s a non-sticky, residue free cream that hydrates and keeps your skin young and fabulous!