From intelligent facial SPFs to protective hair mists and indulgent after-sun care, these are the luxury beauty essentials worth making space for in your summer suitcase.
Summer invites us to spend more time outside, whether lounging beside a Mediterranean pool, relaxing on the deck of a yacht or escaping to a desert resort. But while sunlight may be one of the season’s pleasures, protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation remains essential.
Excessive UV exposure can contribute to sunburn, premature skin ageing, pigmentation and skin cancer. The good news is that today’s most sophisticated formulas feel less like conventional sunscreen and more like luxury skincare, with lightweight textures, hydrating ingredients and elegant finishes that sit beautifully beneath makeup.
The price of a product does not determine the level of protection it provides. What luxury formulas can offer is a more sensorial experience that makes generous, consistent application feel like an enjoyable part of the beauty ritual.
Choose the Right Protection
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside, use it generously, and pay particular attention to the ears, neck, chest, hands, shoulders, and the tops of the feet, which are often forgotten.
Reapplication is equally important. Sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every 2 hours and immediately after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying, regardless of the SPF number. A water-resistant formula will still need to be reapplied according to its instructions.
Think Beyond Sunscreen
Even the finest SPF should form only one part of a complete protection strategy. The World Health Organisation recommends seeking shade, limiting exposure during the middle of the day and wearing protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB radiation.
A beautifully cut linen shirt, a chic kaftan, an oversized hat and UV400 sunglasses are more than holiday accessories. They provide an additional physical barrier between the skin and the sun.
The Luxury Sun Protection Edit
Chanel UV Essentiel Complete UV Protection SPF 50
Designed for daily wear, Chanel UV Essentiel is an elegant choice for women who want sun protection to sit seamlessly beneath makeup. The lightweight formula offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection and absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy residue.
La Mer The New UV Defense Fluid SPF 50+
Created to combine high protection with the pleasure of luxury skincare, La Mer The New UV Defense Fluid SPF 50+ has a featherlight texture that absorbs quickly into the complexion. The formula provides broad-spectrum protection while addressing visible signs of sun ageing.
La Prairie Cellular Swiss UV Protection Veil SPF 50
For a truly indulgent approach to daily SPF, La Prairie Cellular Swiss UV Protection Veil SPF 50 combines UVA and UVB protection with hydrating skincare benefits. Formulated with UV filters and antioxidants, the lightweight veil is designed to be applied over serum and moisturiser before makeup.
Sisley Sunleÿa Anti-Aging Sun Care SPF 50+
Sunleÿa Anti-Aging Sun Care SPF 50+ is designed for women looking to combine very high protection with targeted care for wrinkles, elasticity and uneven tone. The broad-spectrum formula has a light, velvety finish that leaves no visible white marks and is resistant to water, perspiration, and heat.
Dior Solar The Protective Cream SPF 50
Dior Solar The Protective Cream SPF 50 offers UVA and UVB protection in a hydrating formula that absorbs without leaving white streaks or an oily finish. A delicate fragrance brings a distinctly holiday mood to the experience.
Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Emulsion for Body SPF 60+
A sophisticated option for exposed shoulders, arms and legs, Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Emulsion for Body SPF 60+ provides protection in a nourishing, non-sticky formula. The soft finish avoids the greasiness associated with many body sunscreens, making it an appealing choice for everyday wear.
Hair Rituel by Sisley Protective Hair Fluid
Skin is not the only area affected by the summer environment. Sunlight, seawater and chlorine can leave hair dry, faded and difficult to manage, especially when it has been coloured or highlighted. Hair Rituel by Sisley Protective Hair Fluid forms a lightweight film over the hair and contains filters designed to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
