Summer Skincare Routine
I Choose SPF #likewiseapro
No. A foundation or day cream with SPF is not enough if you're heading to the beach. Sun protection at the seaside and in the city is not the same. Let’s explore why—and help you choose your skincare wisely.
We love the sun. But its rays accelerate the appearance of wrinkles and spots, while reducing skin’s elasticity and firmness.
We’re also a bit tired of constant health and beauty fearmongering about the sun—we don’t want anxiety around protection to ruin the precious calm of summer.
To ease your dilemmas and speed up your decision, we’ve lined up products into two columns: summer in the city (and smog) and summer at the beach. Why? Isn’t SPF just SPF?
No. Products for daily care are formulated to protect us during short sun exposure, for a few hours in urban conditions. Products for longer sun exposure contain more complex filters, and are tested for water resistance, protection longevity, and strength.
SUMMER IN THE CITY
Sun protection in the city typically includes SPF 20–25 (UVB protection) and adequate UVA protection, built into lightweight moisturizers or foundations.
Lately, they also include filters for blue light from computer and phone screens. An important bonus in city protection is defense against pollution—usually in the form of antioxidants. Texture matters too: we want lightweight creams that don’t cause sweating or melt our makeup.
DARPHIN Intral Environmental Lightweight Shield SPF 50 – This lightweight protective fluid combines the renowned Darphin Intral complex for soothing with mineral filters that don’t weigh down the formula or leave a white cast. Once applied, it feels invisible on the skin, while offering highly reliable UVB/A protection.
NIOD Survival 30 – Based on new technologies to protect against pollution, smog, stress, infrared and blue light, with optimal UVB (SPF 30) and UVA (PA+++) protection.
AUTEUR Definitive Sun Drops SPF 50 – Just four drops of this luxurious, fast-absorbing oil provide strong protection from UV radiation and oxidative stress. Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure—whether you're in the city or at the beach. Its high-tech formula makes it an ideal ally for daily care without heaviness.
EMBRYOLISSE Lait-Crème Multi-Protection SPF 20 – The cult French moisturizer Lait-Crème Concentré now comes in this variant with added UVB (SPF 20) and UVA (PA+++) protection, as well as defense from pollution and blue light.
SUMMER AT THE BEACH
– But why can’t I use the same product for both my body and face at the beach? – you ask.
Well, sometimes a body product is light and well-formulated enough to use on the face. But in most cases, body sunscreens are richer, heavier, and can cause breakouts or disrupt the skin’s oil balance.
Face creams for beach or mountain use (during extended sun exposure) are created to offer both hydration and high protection, enriched with ingredients targeting specific skin concerns. You’ll choose a different cream if you're prone to spots and dryness than if you have oily, acne-prone skin.
We recommend two creams from the MET+ range:
Standard Procedure SPF 50 – A water-resistant cream with a dry touch texture that absorbs quickly. It offers exceptional UV protection, soothes irritation, and protects the skin. Suitable for the whole family, including children over 6 months old.
Malin + Goetz SPF 30 Sunscreen – An ultra-light gel-cream texture that absorbs quickly, offering water-resistant protection and hydration. Mineral filters (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) leave no white cast or heaviness thanks to new MicroSperse technology. This cream also defends against airborne pollution.
Institut Esthederm Photo Regul – High UVB/A protection while preventing irritation and pigmentation.
Esthederm doesn’t use SPF numbers—instead, it marks products with three suns (strong sun), believing that SPF ratings can be misleading and don’t reflect antioxidant protection.
Esthederm SUN lines are based on patented technologies that help the skin adapt to UV radiation and stimulate its natural defense mechanisms.
