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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen, £105 for 30ml
Four years in the making, this is one of the most anticipated beauty products of the summer. Professor Augustinus Bader was never an advocate of sunscreen; he was concerned they contained ingredients that might upset skin health. Eventually he made his own: a shield that combines SPF50 and works to repair sun damage with the brand’s signature TFC8 formula, a regenerative complex triggering cell renewal. It contains restorative algae extracts to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation, even the skin tone and deliver lasting hydration. The pleasantly light, creamy texture is easily absorbed, fragrance-free and leaves a gentle, dewy gleam that will be familiar to fans of the brand’s Rich cream. It also works brilliantly as a make-up primer – unlike many offerings – as it doesn’t pill. A game-changer. augustinusbader.com
Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Cream SPF50+, £37 for 50ml
Shiseido’s WetForce Sports BB Cream led the charge in water-sports sun protection as a product that wouldn’t shift, but is now being eased out in some markets. Instead, look to this reformulated Expert Sun Protector Cream. Rather than a matte, tinted finish, it gives a radiant and dewy one. A little oily at first, the cream dries after about 30 seconds into a formula that really stays put, even around the eye area. Whether you’re in the sea or working out, it affords lasting protection with no white tinge and a subtle luminosity. shiseido.co.uk
Sisley Sunleÿa Anti-Ageing Facial Sun Care SPF50, £223 for 50ml
Launching next month, this new member of Sisley’s anti-ageing sun range offers great protection and also promotes the skin’s natural antioxidant defences. UV light accelerates glycation, where collagen and elastin react with sugar molecules, reducing the skin’s elasticity; Sunleÿa incorporates a “G+ Formula” based on red algae, which not only prevents glycation occurring while you’re in the sun but actively reverses damage for a more supple, firmer complexion. It’s a delight to use, with a velvet texture and a matte finish. Available at harrods.com
The Skin Diary Age Defence Moisturising Day Cream, £90 for 50ml
The work of four dermatologists – award-winning professor Chris Griffiths among them – this new Skin Diary product was born from concern at the levels of sun damage being presented in clinics: skin cancer is the fastest-growing cancer in the UK. Launching later this month, the SPF50+ day cream feels every bit a rich moisturiser, giving all-day hydration and nourishment. UV filters lock sun protection into the skin’s surface. It also includes DNA repair enzymes, which have been shown to reverse UV damage. Extracts of bilberry and raspberry seed defend against pollution, blue light and oxidative stress. theskindiary.com
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Anti-Dark Spots Fluid, £21 for 50ml
An affordable answer to everyday sun protection, La Roche-Posay’s ultra-light tinted SPF is a perennial favourite with dermatologists; the oil-control version is perfect for acne-prone skin. Now comes an anti-dark spot formula, which uses Melasyl, the patented molecule in all the brand’s anti-
pigmentation products, to intercept excess melanin, correcting hyperpigmentation and preventing future marking. It has a mildly astringent scent, with a hint of the chalkiness of traditional SPF, which may not make it ideal for those who want to wear it under make-up, but remains a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin. laroche-posay.co.uk
Naked Sundays CabanaGlow SPF50 Mineral Glow Serum Drops – Illuminating, £40.80
An innovative Aussie brand – relevant because Australia has stringent regulations on sunscreen – Naked Sundays is one to watch. This tinted serum applies easily, and comes with hydrating hyaluronic acid and SPF50 to both protect and perfect uneven skin tone. The finish speaks of sunny days on the beach, and adds a great golden glow to skin. uk.nakedsundays.com
Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops, £39 for 50ml
As an eczema sufferer herself, Hollywood facialist Kate Somerville is a specialist in sensitive skin. This latest product in her HydraKate line – a collection designed to plump and boost radiance – combines a zinc-based SPF with ectoin, an amino acid that reduces redness and strengthens the skin barrier. The result is a non-comedogenic formula with a lustrous finish. katesomerville.co.uk
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