Well, it is safe to say Britain has been bathed in unprecedented sunshine these past few weeks, in fact, I can’t remember what it is like not waking up to blue skies and temperatures in the high 20’s. I love it and the sunshine makes me feel positive and happy, so fingers crossed it continues right into September (please).
One thing I’m a firm believer of is in being sun aware & slip slapping on the SPF. I personally use it all year round but it’s so important to use and reapply SPF in these high temperatures especially when spending prolonged periods of time outside. It really is a must to protect your skin and minimise the damage from the harmful UVB & UVA rays.
UVA rays are not filtered by clouds or windows and are present all year round. UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply and cause greying of the skin, wrinkles/sagging and cause skin cancer. It is these UVA rays that cause the premature ageing of our skin so finding an SPF with a 5* UVA rating is super important! This purse-friendly range from ASDA are all 5* UVA rated and also provides UVB filters too so that is fantastic.
UVA causes the premature ageing of our skin, whilst UVB rays cause sunburn and lead to skin cancer.
As the school holidays are underway and many of us are heading off on our Summer Holiday’s be it in Britain or abroad make sure you stock up on SPF before you go. This ASDA Protect range is fantastic for all the family and you can pick it up whilst you’re in the supermarket, which is most convenient.
ASDA Protect SPF30 Moisturising Sun Lotion
This is your typical SPF for the body, it is quite thick and feels like a body lotion. It is easy to apply and massage in. It gives the skin a white cast when you first apply it but that fades after a few minutes and although your skin feels like you’ve applied SPF it isn’t greasy or heavy and it has quite a matte finish.
ASDA Protect SPF15 Moisturising Sun Lotion Spray
This is the one my husband prefers to use, I think it’s because it comes in a handy pump bottle which makes it easier to apply. This is a slightly thinner consistency but is just as easy to massage in and it dries down very quickly. Again it doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy or tacky.
ASDA Protect SPF30 Mattifying Facial Sun Cream
You should use a dedicated facial SPF if you can and one that offers a high sun protection. I only ever use SPF30 or above on my face. This is a great sized tube for travel and I often take it with me in my handbag so I can reapply on the go! It has a lightweight matte finish so your face won’t look shiny or greasy and it offers SPF30.
All the products in this range contain Vitamin E to help protect against skin cell damage and leave the skin feeling hydrated.
After a long day in the sunshine it is important to hydrate & soothe your skin and applying a nice cooling aftersun lotion is the perfect way to do this.
ASDA Protect After Sun Gel With Aloe Vera
My husband prefers to use the gel as it is really refreshing and sinks into the skin faster than a lotion and leaves no greasy residue. After a day in the sun, it’s exactly what your skin needs. It feels so refreshing and cooling, it replenishes the skin, stops it feeling dry and tight and it also helps prevent skin from peeling. It contains Aloe Vera which is great for calming and I like to keep this in the fridge so it is extra cooling.
ASDA Protect After Sun Lotion With Tan Enhancer
This has the consistency of a body lotion and it helps deepen and prolong your tan. I love applying this to my arms & legs just so my golden tan stays looking fab for longer. This is so easy to apply and although it isn’t as soothing as the gel I really like that it helps enhance my tan, as I am not someone that likes to be out in the sun too long so anything that helps me get a bit more colour without having to actually be in the sun gets a thumbs up from me. It has a nice fresh scent and the cream is quite lightweight and easy to apply.
If you’re heading away on holiday or have some fun day’s out planned in the UK make sure you check out the ASDA Protect Sun Care Range next time you’re in a store. It is affordable and offers 5* UVA protection, so your skin is in good hands!
I spent last week in my favourite City – Amsterdam. I absolutely love it there & even though it was my 5th visit I fell in love with it all over again. I will be writing a few posts about my time there but I thought i’d share with you my travel skincare and talk you through the products I used the most and also what I could have lived without. I do love how a mini break is the perfect excuse to use up all those samples you’ve been hoarding and I think I packed quite light, do you?
I always take my Dirty Works Hanging Washbag, its a really good size, has one big compartment which zips and two smaller compartments. It rolls up and is easy to pack, also when you get to your destination you can hang it up in your bathroom and have easy access to all your products. I have used it so many times over the past 3 years and its still as good as new.
& Other Stories Sirocco Sands Body Lotion* – This is a new release and I was sent a couple of sachets to try & thought how handy they would be for this trip. I love the bath & body products from & Other Stories they have a lovely selection of scents and this is a new addition to their range. I thought the scent was quite intense and soothing. It smells sophisticated and has notes of rhubarb and gardenia which make it both fruity and floral, its a nice summery body lotion which left my skin soft, hydrated and not at all greasy.
In the second pouch – my razor, vitamins, Kleenex Shine Sheets (which are amazing but sadly discontinued), Rodial Dragon’s Blood Eye Masks which are so good for tired dehydrated under eyes, they leave your eyes looking fresh and more awake. I always take eye masks with me because they’re so travel friendly and its always an excuse for a hotel room pamper session.
NUXE Bio Beauté Soothing 24hr Moisturising Mask – a nice calming hydrating face mask. Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub – I was using a gradual tanner so I thought it best to take a scrub with me & this one came in a handy sachet so again easy to travel with & lastly in this section I took some Ole Henriksen Truth To Go Wipes – I have to say these are not ground breaking but as far as wipes go they were refreshing and didn’t make my skin feel tight or dehydrated.
Batiste Dry Shampoo – This is a travel must have, I only wash my hair a maximum of twice a week so dry shampoo is a staple for me & these mini cans last me a week so they’re the perfect size.
Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash – This is a 2 in 1 cleansing & exfoliator so ideal for travel. I wouldn’t use this on a daily basis but it worked well to keep my skin clean and looking bright. With it being a City break and using SPF daily I found this Bliss face wash helped keep my skin from getting congested and dull. I still have more than half this mini bottle left so will take t way with me next time.
Molton Brown Shower Gel – I have a few of these mini ones left over from a travel kit I received last Christmas, they smell incredible and luxurious and this was so nice to use every morning to get myself going and help me feel uplifted and ready for the day. Not a must have but certainly a little slice of luxury
Garnier Micellar Water 125ml – this is the new travel size which was released a month or so ago, yes its still too big to take on as hand luggage but its nice to have a small version to take away with you. I use this daily and still have almost 3/4 left so I’m keeping that for my next trip. I think a 100ml version would be a better size and it would still last ages.
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Moisturiser – This is such a nice soothing lightweight hydrating day cream, it gave just enough hydration without making my skin greasy throughout the day. I really like this and I’m very tempted to purchase the full size.
Garnier Mineral Deodorant – I normally use a natural deodorant but I’ve ran out so picked this up last minute. It was awful, the lid didn’t say on & it felt like it scratched my armpits when I applied it. I left it in the hotel room and won’t be repurchasing it any time soon.
Dove Shampoo – This range leaves my hair feeling silky soft and very manageable. Nothing much to report other than I have repurchased this quite a few times and it never lets me down. Elemis Conditioner – again this is a solid favourite of mine, it doesn’t weigh my hair down and I get very few fly aways or frizz when I use this. I like the Shampoo that goes with this but I have used it all up.
ESPA Optimal Skin ProCleanser – This is the perfect at home (or in hotel room) spa treatment, It’s a Tri-Phase Cleanser which means it is a gel cleaner, exfoliator and a mask all in one. This is aimed at all ages and all skin types so if you love luxurious skincare then this is the product for you. I like to use this as a second cleanse and I apply a generous amount to my face and leave it on as a mask for about 15 minutes before using a hot cloth to buff it away. There are tiny gentle Jojoba spheres which exfoliate your skin and help remove any dirt and grime. It leaves my skin looking so radiant and feeling smooth. Its such a treat.
Origins Plantscription Serum – I blogged a little more about this in my recent June & July Empties post but it is a good serum and leaves my skin feeling hydrated but I wouldn’t rush out to repurchase it. I prefer the Mega Mushroom or GinZing range from Origins.
ESPA Optimal Pro Serum – I have a few of these mini bottles saved for when I go away, I love this serum so much & I think it is one of the products I recommended the most. I always notice how good it is for my skin when I have ran out. I always miss it in my routine and my skin never looks as good. This serum isn’t targeted at any specific age range or skin type, they have developed it to have so many skin benefits for all ages and skin concerns & it gives my skin alot of nourishment and helps to calm the redness in my cheeks and keep my skin looking healthy and bright. I Just had to take it away with me and I woke up every morning to fresh healthy looking skin (it was that good I only wore makeup one day).
Ponds Institute Contour Eye Cream – This is the first Ponds product I have used in years & I have been really enjoying it. Its hard to find an eye cream that is affordable & that I really like but this seems to fit the bill. Its quite a thin consistency and doesn’t just sit on the skin making it look and feel greasy. I massage the cream in around my eye and after a couple of minutes the area feels soft and looks hydrated, my eye makeup sits well on top and doesn’t sink into my (many) fine lines throughout the day. Its been a great discovery and I want to try more from Ponds now. Let me know if you have any recomendations.
Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25* £26.00 – This is a great daily SPF and I used it for my entire trip everyday without fail & not once did I burn or feel like my face had caught the sun. It applies quite thick and does have a slight white cast to it but don’t worry that doesn’t stay, in fact after a few minutes it looks a ok & although you can feel it on your skin its not too heavy or tacky to the touch. I wrote a full review here if you want to read a little more about it —–> Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25
Bath & Body Works Handi Bac – I know these have alcohol in them but they’re just too cute for words and smell just like cupcakes. Also I need to keep my hands germ free and these do the job.
Kiehl’s Créme de Corps Body Lotion – This is a very good body lotion and I get such dry legs especially when its hot so this had to come with me on my week away. Once my & Other Stories sachets were all gone I used this for the remaining days. Its very hydrating and if you use it after you shave your legs it leaves them so very smooth.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist – This is the cutest mini spray bottle, I keep it so I can refill it from a larger bottle I have. I enjoy using a face mist & like how multi use they are. Its a nice way to stay hydrated on the plane and keep your skin feeling refreshed. Its also a great way to cool down in the heat & keep your makeup looking dewy. This Jurlique one as many of you will know is my favourite and I have reviewed it here if you’d like to know more about it Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
Merumaya Overnight Recharge Night Cream*– One of my favourite night creams – this is a little overnight miracle worker. Its helps your skin look bright, firm and also prevents blemishes. Its an all round great cream. My skin was often looking a little dull from a day exploring this city & this recharged my skin overnight and stopped it looking dull and fatigued.
