Summer Holiday part 1

We're heading off on a family holiday tomorrow, and I've been busily packing all manner of beauty products to look after my hair and skin in the sunshine. Having recently embarked on a new skin care regime involving retinol, I'm phobic about sun damage on my face, whilst secretly hoping for a healthy glow on my arms and legs, but without burning. Coupled with hair follicles who know nothing but bleach, I've hunted out some of the best products for protecting and soothing skin and hair when the temperature rises. 

Part One: Skincare

Bioderma Photoderm Bronz Brume

This is a total hero product, that I am beyond excited about. Bioderma, one of my favourite brands, have recently launched this sunscreen (which is available in the UK). It gives amazing protection from burning, but allows some safe tanning, so you get that golden glow without burning. It works by increasing the production of melanin in the skin, at the same time as providing either SPF 30 or 50 protection. It's also a dream to apply, a light, quite refreshing mist, which smells good too (a light, fresh, slightly apricot scent). 

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense and Pigment Regulator

If I could only ever use one brand of skin care again, I think SkinCeuticals may well make the cut. Their targeted products are so effective, that once you've tried them, it's very hard to try anything else. For this summer, I've been using two of their range every day. Firstly, Pigment Regulator is brilliant if you have any sun damage or dark spots on your skin. it's also great if you suffered with pigmentation during pregnancy, which can linger for ages afterwards. A little dab every morning on all of the patchy areas is all you need to break up pigment and dramatically reduce dark spots. It takes dedication, you need to use the product for 3 months to see serious results, but after a month, mine are already looking loads better. 

You must pair this product with a daily, high spectrum sunscreen. SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense is perfect. Spf 50, broad spectrum protection, which blends in quickly without leaving a greasy film, this is the perfect answer for every day sun protection.

Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster

Finally, another genius product is the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster. Is brilliance is that it can be mixed in to your makeup or regular moisturiser, to boost up the sunscreen (it's spf 50), without having to add another step to your daily routine (except for a quick mix). It's non chalky, non greasy, and doesn't smell of anything, so you barely notice it going on. I think it's such a clever idea, as I have several skin products I like to wear in the summer but they don't contain any spf. This makes wearing sunscreen every day a total doddle!

Finally, if you are looking for sunscreen for children, I'm currently loving the Sudocrem mousse sunscreen, which soothes skin whilst giving great protection (and the mousse element makes it fun, Fifi adores it!)

Bioderma Photoderm Bronz Brume, available in spf 30 (£19) or spf 50 (£21.50) available from escentual.com

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense spf 50 (£20.95, rrp £25, from here) and Pigment Regulator (£59.95, rrp £78, available here)

Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster, spf 50, £36.50 available online 

Sudocrem Sunscreen Mousse Kids and Babies spf 50, (£10 currently at Boots, rrp £15)

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