insideKENT Magazine Issue 39 - June 2015 | Page 94

HEALTH+WELLNESS
T A K E C A R E I N T H E S U N cont.
for 30 times longer than you would
have if you didn’t use any cream at
all. This does not mean, however,
that you won’t burn if you use
sunscreen; it simply means that it
will take longer. As an extra help,
the higher the number you use, the
more harmful rays are blocked out.
SPF 30 will block out around 97 per
cent of UV rays.
To get the most out of your
sunscreen, it should be reapplied
every two hours, to make sure there
is always a good covering. A
waterproof sunscreen is a good
idea, even if you’re not going
anywhere near the water. Sweat
can also wash your protection away
and on a baking hot day, you're
bound to perspire.
If the worst should happen and you
are sunburned, there are a number

of ways to treat it. These aren’t
cures – once burned, it’s there to
stay – but they will soothe the pain
and hurry the healing process where
possible.
• A cool (not cold) bath of between
10 and 20 minutes will ease the
discomfort of sunburn. Avoid using
soaps or anything that might
irritate the sensitive skin. If taking
a shower, make it a gentle one,
as the water shooting out at full
blast could do more damage
• A cool compress pressed to the
most burned areas will also help
– simply lay it over the affected
skin for half an hour, refreshing as
it dries out or becomes warmer
• Wear loose clothing so as not to
irritate the damaged skin. Not only
will these feel more comfortable,
but it will allow your body to heal
that little bit faster

• Drink plenty of water – your skin will heal faster if it's kept hydrated
• Apply plenty of after sun lotion to the affected areas. After sun cools and
moisturises the burned skin and is quickly absorbed. It helps to prevent
peeling too, which can be extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing

TOP PICKS
A vital part of enjoying the sunshine without burning (although always read the instructions, and make
sure you keep your lotion topped up), we look at some of the best sunscreen on the market.

Soltan Dry Touch Lotion

Ambre Solaire Wet Skin

This lotion dries in under a minute, which is
especially useful when on the beach, as it means
that sand won’t stick to you. It is also a moisturiser,
so you can keep your skin healthy as you use it.
Water resistant, sand resistant, and
dermatologically tested, this is an ideal beach
cream, which includes a parented antioxidant
complex to protect against long-term skin
damage.
£5.50
www.boots.com

Handily, this excellent sunscreen can – as the
name suggests – be applied to wet skin if required
(although it works just as well on dry skin too),
and it is extremely water resistant, meaning you
don’t need to use quite as much of it. Already at
a reasonable price, this one will last you all
summer, and beyond.
£7.50
www.boots.com

94

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration
Protective Sun Lotion
Not only does this sunscreen smell like a tropical
paradise, it feels great on the skin too as it is
formulated to be non-greasy. The natural silk
proteins and glycerine used to create this lovely
lotion prevent the skin from drying out, and
actually continue to moisturise the skin for up to
12 hours once applied.
£7.50
www.boots.com