Most of us know that we should be wearing SPF protection in the sun, but very few understand exactly what will happen to our skin if we fail to slap on the sunscreen before stepping into the sunshine.

Skincare scientist Dr Lars Lindmark explains: “When UVB rays from the sun penetrate the top level of skin – called the epidermis – a natural, brown-coloured pigment called melanin is produced to protect it from the sun. this is what causes a tan to develop – but with continued exposure, the structure of the skin starts to deteriorate. UVA rays penetrate into the dermal layer where they destroy collagen and elastin fibres. Skin loses its suppleness, elasticity, and the ability to retain water.”

Most importantly, however, these invisible rays from the sun can cause the skin to burn painfully and often blister, whilst also putting us at an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

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The solution is to arm yourself with a bottle of SPF and apply liberally at least half an hour before stepping outside – but with a plethora of different brands and bottles on the shelves, how do you choose? Whether you need sun protection for your kids, your sensitive skin, or your summer golf game, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best sunscreens to add to your bathroom shelf…

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sunscreen dubai

GOOD FOR NATURAL PROTECTION Herbal Essentials Sunscreen Lotion SPF30, Dh135 (herbal-essentials.com) If you are an advocate of natural skincare, it can be hard to find sunscreen that you can really trust, but this is where Herbal Essentials comes in. The award-winning brand offers products that use pure, untouched, unprocessed Himalayan spring water, whilst also being dermatologically certified. The sunscreen range meets all EU guidelines on Broad Spectrum protection and SPF certification, meaning your skin will be protected safely, whilst also benefitting from a boost in hydration and a quick, easily absorbed formula.

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GOOD FOR SWIMMING Shiseido Sun Aging Protection Plus Expert Wet Force SPF50+, Dhs214 (Bloomingdale’s) This brand new launch from skincare experts Shiseido is designed to have a superior resistance to water. In fact, due to very clever ‘wet force’ technology, it actually becomes more effective when exposed to water, protecting the skin’s inner and outer layers from UVA and UVB damage. So if you plan to spend a lot of time in the water (whether that’s lazing on a lilo, rushing down slides, or splashing with a toddler), this is the product for you.

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Rodial Super Acids X-Treme Dark Spot Filter

GOOD FOR ANTI-AGING Rodial Super Acids X-Treme Dark Spot Filter, Dhs295 (Paris Gallery) If your face is exposed and you are keen to halt the signs of aging, this broad-spectrum sunscreen by Rodial is the product for the job. The formula contains an innovative ingredient called chromabright, which corrects the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone, whilst preventing further damage to your skin. You can also expect a brightened skin tone with continued use. Add it to your morning routine.

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GOOD FOR DRY SKIN Phytomer Sun Solution Sunscreen SPF30, Dhs165 (basharacare.com) If your skin feels extra dry after a session in the sun, you need to pick a product that will infuse it with moisture as you sunbathe. This lightweight cream promises broad-spectrum SPF protection, with a formula that contains amino-rich algae and a seawater complex to boost collagen production and leave skin looking youthful and feeling super soft.

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GOOD FOR KIDS Nivea Sun Kids Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF50+, Dh71 (supermarkets nationwide) Kids need two things; high protection to keep their skin safe from the sun’s rays, and high water resistance so they can splash around carefree. This award-winning sun cream is easy to apply in a spray bottle, with a blue tint before it is rubbed into skin to ensure you have applied it evenly. Most importantly, you can trust it will keep your little one’s sensitive skin protected while they’re having fun in the sun.

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GOOD FOR TANNING Lancaster Sun Beauty Oil Fast Tan Optimiser SPF50, Dhs240 (Sephora) Designed for skin types that burn easily and tan slowly, this silky, non-greasy sun oil promises to speed up tan development. But there’s no compromise on sun protection, with the product boasting a reinforced tan activator complex, combined with optimal UVA/UVB protection and infra-red technology to protect skin as you get stuck into that beach read.

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GOOD FOR LIPS Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF15, Dhs50 (stores nationwide) This hydrating lip balm should be by your side throughout summer. Shielding lips from the sun with UVA and UVB protection, it contains hydrating extracts of cotton seed oil help to relieve chapped or cracked lips and leave your pout infused with moisture as you go about your day.

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GOOD FOR SPORT Hamilton Superblock SPF80, Dhs120 (basharacare.com) Whether you are knocking golf balls around the course, swimming laps in the pool, or braving the heat for a morning jog, you need your skin to be protected from the sun’s rays. This sunblock ticks all the boxes, with broad spectrum SPF80 to protect the most sun sensitive skin, up to four hours of water resistance, and a lightweight, non-greasy formula.

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GOOD FOR FACES Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream for Face SPF30, Dh160 (counters nationwide) Why buy a sunscreen specifically for your face? Just like moisturisers, sunscreen for the face is formulated differently to those for your body. Not only is the skin exposed to SPF rays every single day, but it is also the area of our body with the most delicate areas of skin, such as below our eyes. Investing in this particular cream by Clarins is a wise choice, as it promises to keep that delicate skin hydrated and protected on a daily basis, whilst also helping to prevent visible signs of aging. The non-greasy texture makes it a winner too.

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GOOD FOR SENSITIVE SKIN Bioderm Photoderm Max Milk SPF100, Dh134 (pharmacies nationwide) If you are fair skinned with freckles, this SPF will provide your skin with the ultimate in sun protection. Free from fragrance or colour to prevent irritation, the formula boasts an impressive-sounding BIOprotection complex to offer full protection to the skin’s cells from UV rays. It might sound baffling, but all you need to know is that it will protect the most sensitive skin types from the harshest rays with a milky, easily absorbed texture.

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GOOD FOR SPEEDY APPLICATION Banana Boat Ultra Mist Protect & Hydrate SPF50, Dhs70 (supermarkets nationwide) Application doesn’t get much quicker than Banana Boat’s ultra mist cans, which cover the whole body in a matter of seconds. Perfect for those that find applying thicker creams a bit of a chore – and for quick top-ups between dashes to the pool to cool down. Better still, the moisturising formula of this product contains lashings of aloe vera to hydrate and soothe your skin in the sun.

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GOOD FOR HAIR SachaJuan Hair in the Sun, Dhs140 (Harvey Nichols) In the same way that the sun will burn your skin if it’s left exposed and unprotected, it will have the same effect on your hair. Without protection, you can expect your locks to become dry, fragile, and dull, which doesn’t make for the best souvenir from summer. With a light, creamy texture, the product doubles up as a styling cream, whilst the UV filter will protect both your hair and your colour.

Just scroll through the gallery below to check them out…

Originally published in Good magazine