In the City: although exposure to UV is less if you’re out shopping than when you’re sunbathing, you still need protection. So apply a light, non-greasy sunscreen - SPF 15 to 25 depending on your skin type, in the morning. Choose one with antioxidants to protect against pollution. Keep and additional sunscreen in your desk drawer for extra protection during sunny lunch hours.

On a sunny day, UV light generates free radicals, which cause wrinkles, sut a sunscreen with antioxidants mops up the radicals before they can do damage.

When clouds appear, 70-80% of UV rays still break through. So apply the same SPF you would use for a bright, sunshiny day at the beach.

At the beach apply sunscreen at lease 10 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to bind to the skin. Reapply every one to two hours and always after swimming or towelling yourself dry. SPF 15 to 30 may be adequate for moderate sunning, but if you plan to be outside all day, go for SPF 50 or even higher to be safe.

In the water use a water-resistant formula, but remember to reapply.

In the shade, you will still get about 60% of the sun reflecting back on you, so don’t be tempted to ditch the sunscreen here either.

The technical and scientific information given on the front and back of a sunscreen bottle can be difficult to fathom:-

UVB rays cause sunburn. A sunscreen with a high SPF shields the skin from UVB and so helps prevent burning and the damage that can cause skin cancer.

Broad-spectrum indicates the cream blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) tells you how long the sun will take to burn your skin after application. So, if you start to burn in 10 minutes without using a sunscreen, and SPF would allow you to spend 15 x 10 minutes (150 minutes) in the sun before burning.

UVA rays cause the long-term damage that leads to premature skin ageing and skin cancer. These rays weaken the elastin in the skin and lead to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing.

UVA star rating highlights the level of UVA protection the product has, from zero to five, the more stars, the more UVA protection you have. Ideally you want at least three stars.

Water resistant means it will retain at least 50% of its SPF even after 40 minutes in the water.

Pot and lid symbol refers to the number of months a sunscreen will retain its effectiveness after first opening.

Sensitive - opt for a chemical-free sunscreen. The protective ingredient, titanium or zinc oxide, coats skin with a “physical” barrier that is less likely to irritate.

Oily/greasy - use a con-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreen. These are specially developed not to clog pores and cause breakouts.

Ageing - choose sunscreens with anti-oxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E.

15ml, a walnut-sized blob for face/neck.

100ml, about 11 tablespoons for the whole body depending on your size - and don’t forget the backs of your hands.

Dab the sunscreen directly on to your face or body, then spread it - rubbing the cream in your hands first breaks down the SPF.

Don’t forget to wipe the soles of your feet and nails clean with a flannel!