Protect your skin as if your life depended on it… because in many ways it does. So get your SPF on – and not just in your sun cream. You need to protect your WHOLE body. So we set out to round up some of the best SPF products for every inch of you.

Although embracing the sunny weather – especially on those rare sunny days in the UK – is always a must, it’s essential to shield your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Staying in the sun for long periods can result in sunburn. And prolonged exposure to UV radiation can damage your skin cells, potentially even leading to skin cancer. To help you prevent serious skin damage, we’ve rounded up a selection of top products for those searching for skin protection or wanting to add SPF to your skincare routine.

Ready to discover some of the best SPF skincare products? Let’s dive in.

Under makeup and face

Skin protector SPF 30 primer 30ml – £38.00

If you’re looking for a UV-protective primer, look no further. This SPF 30 primer, from ARK Skincare, not only moisturises skin but hydrates it too. Enriched with vitamin E and shea butter, it will leave your skin with a luminous glow, while keeping your makeup in place.

Multi-Défense Ceramides Protecting Veil Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 – £74.00

Want plump, moisturised skin? Try this SPF 50 multi-defence cream. Infused with white tea extract, this formula will protect you from UVA and UVB rays and prevent cell damage while soothing your complexion.

ESPA Protect & Brighten Daily Skin Shield SPF 50 – £50.00

This SPF 50 brightening cream can be used over moisturiser or under makeup. Packed with powerful antioxidants, this daily cream will protect your skin against UV and blue light, leaving your skin dewy and radiant.

Makeup

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant & Lip Stick SPF 15 Set – £39.00

Overexposure to the sun can cause skin damage to all parts of the body. And that includes lips. Due to your lips having a thinner skin layer, it causes them to dry out more easily, making them feel uncomfortable and resulting in burnt lips. This handy SPF 15 lipstick will give you eight hours of protection from UV rays, restoring your chapped lips to a lushly smooth state.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup 30ml (Various Shades) – £39.50

With SPF 10 protection, this medium-to-full coverage foundation will not only protect your skin from UV rays but will give you a matte-looking finish, leaving your skin flawless for up to 24 hours of wear. Available in a range of shades.

Dr.Jart+ premium BB beauty balm SPF 50 40 ml (various shades) – £37.00

Not a fan of layering products on your face? That’s okay. This multi-purpose BB cream may be for you. With SPF 50, this formula combines the benefits of makeup, sun protection, hydration, and light coverage that balance your skin complexion.

Body Sunscreen

Riemann P20 Original SPF50+ Spray 200ml – £24.00

This SPF 50 spray offers up to 10 hours of UVA and UVB protection, perfect for those idle sunbathing days or active outdoor activities. Using a lightweight formula, the sunscreen absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling silky without the greasiness, ideal for those with super sensitive skin.

After sun

NIVEA SUN after sun moisturising soothing spay lotion 200ml – £9.79

After a long day of sunshine activities, there’s nothing better than giving your skin some extra love by nourishing it with after sun. Enriched with soothing aloe vera, NIVEA’s after-sun is the ideal formula for hydrating your skin, leaving you with an enchanting fragrance.

Elena Harris

Elena is one of Silver’s interns. She has a love for illustrating, reading, and all things media-related. She is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur who spends her free time in coffee shops sketching and journalling.

The post Summer’s here – the best SPF products for your whole body appeared first on Silver Magazine.

We all know the sun can be damaging. From sunburn to more serious issues, the side effects of prolonged sun exposure are well-known. But what about the benefits? As we’re a positive lot here at Silver, let’s look at some of the health benefits the sun can offer us.

Nourish and repair your skin

Spending time in the sun can increase the production of endorphins in your body. These help with both pain relief and healing. And who doesn’t want a bit of help with that?

We all love to get a good tan. But overexposure to the sun can dry out or even burn your skin if you’re not careful. Overexposure is overexposure – the clue is in the name.

We’ve all spent too long in the sun sometimes, and whilst it’s important to try and avoid that, it’s also good to take time to make repairs. Try a good serum, or a cooling eye gel for puffy eyes.

What the sun can do for you

Being out in the sun can offer countless benefits to your physical and mental health. As we all know, the sun provides us with vitamin D, strengthening our bones and muscles and improving our immunity system. But did you know the sun also increases the production of both serotonin and melatonin in our bodies?

Serotonin energises you for the day ahead and enhances your mood, keeping the sun shining in more ways than one. And after a busy day, melatonin helps you get a good night’s sleep. The sun helps us to balance these chemicals, so if you find yourself feeling sleepier in the darker months, your body may not be producing enough serotonin.

What about the darker months?

As the darker months creep in, your body needs support to keep feeling the sun’s benefits. But how do we top up on sunshine while the sun is away?

1. Adjust your diet

Food is an easy way to increase both vitamin D intake and hormone production. Seafood and mushrooms are both great natural sources of vitamin D.

For a serotonin and melatonin boost, you want foods which are high in tryptophans. High protein foods such as meats, fish and eggs are all excellent sources of this. Fish doubles as a source of vitamin D, so consider adding more seafood to your diet to energise and nurture your body.

2. Keep active

Staying active is always important, especially during the darker months to fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). But you don’t need to hit the gym to feel the benefits of exercise on both your physical and mental health.

Even an hour of light exercise scattered throughout the week can be enough to boost your serotonin levels. So why not take some short walks, especially while the sun is out. Use the sun’s benefits to your full advantage.

3. Take vitamin D tablets

Vitamin D tablets are an easy way to keep your intake up all year round. According to the NHS, the sun alone cannot give us the vitamin D we need throughout autumn and winter. Even in summer, the cloudy British weather can prevent us from fully feeling the health benefits of the sun. If you don’t already, consider taking vitamin D supplements to keep your immune system strong.

4. Try UV lamps

If a lack of sunshine is putting a damper on your life, consider buying a UV lamp. By having your own personal sun, you can receive a much-needed serotonin boost from the comfort of your home.

But be careful. Much like the real sun, UV lamps can cause sunburn if used for too long. Make sure you turn the lamp off regularly to give your body a break from the UV rays.

5. Keep going outside

While there are a lot of ways to experience the sun’s benefits from your own home, nothing beats the real thing. So why not find some time to sit outside or take a walk, and feel the sun’s warmth energise you for the day ahead.

Keep the sun shining

Whether the sun is beaming or tucked behind the clouds, there are always ways to keep the sunshine on your skin. With a little extra effort, you can ensure the sun shines through your mind and body all year round.

But there’s no better way to experience the sun than to go out and let it do its thing. So make the most of the day – head outside and take advantage of all that the sun has to offer.

Aiden Winn

Aiden is an editorial and production staffer at Title Media. He’s constantly looking for opportunities to have fun and get creative, whether it be art, baking, storytelling… you name it!

The post Nourishing your body: the health benefits of the sun appeared first on Silver Magazine.

With parties fully on the menu now that the warmer weather has (finally) kicked in, you may well be planning a classy hoedown in your garden. So how can you throw the best garden party?

There are a number of options, including caterers, or funky street food hire options. But if you’re doing it yourself, here’s how…

What’s on the menu?

Devon Hampers 

Make it easier on yourself to provide for guests by ordering made up hampers of food.

The Cheese & Wine Hamper, £69

Group Cream Tea for 6 Hamper, £36.50

Alcohol free?

Make sure you can cater for all with drinks. Consider what non-alcoholic options you’re going to provide. Not everyone want’s supermarket pop. 

Living Soda Mixed Box, Hip Pop, £17.99

The Infusionist Mojito Mocktail 750ml, Aldi, £1.49

Quick grub

It doesn’t have to be all bbq food.

Roosters Gastro Buttermilk Chicken Thigh Burgers, Aldi, £2.45

Specially Selected Stonebaked Four Cheese & Tomato Pizza, Aldi, £2.75

Dessert Menu New York Cheesecake, Aldi, £1.85

Specially Selected Summer Edition Macarons, Aldi, £1.99

Accessories

Dispenser and Cocktail Glasses Mix, Aldi, £4.99

Kettle BBQ Troller, Aldi, £79.99

Have your guests sittin’ pretty 

Make your garden the best environment it can be for your guests. Ensure you have enough seating space and shade from the sun.

Corner sofa and dining table, Dunelm, £749 

San Luca Dining Set, Dunel, £499

Forest Wooden Garden Summerhouse, Buy Sheds Direct, £499.99

5% off outdoor living products at Buy Sheds Direct with exclusive code: GARDEN5

Double Egg Chair, Dunelm, £349

Protect your guests

Keep everyone protected from the sun rays so they can be comfortable all afternoon long. 

Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion 50+, LookFantasic, £6.39

Garnier Over Makeup Super UV Protection Mist SPF50, LookFantastic, £8.04

3m Elements Grey Cantilever Parasol, Dunelm, £79

Keep it going all night

The worst part of a garden party is when it starts to get cold, but no one is ready to go. Having an outdoor heater will ensure everyone is comfortable late into the night.

Patio Heater with Bluetooth Speaker, Aldi, £79.99

Hanson Throw, Dunelm, £12

Round egg open fire pit, Dunelm, £85

10 Warm LED White Solar Party Lights, The Glow Company, £7.99

Keep the pests away

Don’t let the bugs ruin the party, or make your guests uncomfortable! Citronella candles or a citronella oil will keep away the insects whilst creating a citrusy aroma in your garden.

Citronella oil, Tisserand Aromatherapy, £6

Citronella tea lights, Candles Direct, £6.99

Incognito Insect Repellant Pump Spray, Boots, £11.99

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

The post How to throw the best garden party – top tips appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Calming colours, natural fabrics, ethical accessories – grab those final few days of late summer fashion, and get your float on.

Here are our top picks:

Kimono karma: Easy to wear and incredibly versatile, this cotton and rayon mix kimono dresses up jeans and a T-shirt, provides cool coverage over swimwear and looks great with a belt. By Mimi’s Edit, £42.

Ghana glass: Recycled glass is collected by Ghanaian artisans, crushed by hand into a fine powder, fired in clay moulds and smoothed with water and sand to create these rustic beads. By Lola & Mawu, £33 for a set of three.

Serene shopper: The ‘Serenity’ tote bag, perfect for the shops, the pool or the beach, is vegan-friendly and adorned with an image of one of Louise Mead’s original paintings. By Louise Mead, £25.

Clipped tones: Clip-on earrings have made a comeback in recent years – there is more choice than ever for those who have eschewed pierced lobes. These green globes are nickel-free. By Joloba, £23.

Love seventies fashion?

Tie one on: Whether there’s a nip in the evening air or you want extra sun protection, a light scarf is a summer essential. This soft, silk-viscose scarf has a gentle texture and elegant drape. By Susan Holton Knitwear, £65.

Sunny honey: Classic round sunglasses get a summer update with honey-coloured frames. For every pair sold, a donation is made to Solar Aid, which gives clean, safe light to central African families. By Ethical Market, £99.

It’s a wrap: In pure silk, a head wrap is the perfect antidote to bad hair days, it fights off frizz and is gentle on sensitive scalps. This print is created by Liberty of London artist Manning Green. By Tot Knots of Brighton, £85. 

Dry style: The humble poolside towel is taken to the next level in this fresh shade of ‘Flowerbomb’ green – it looks just as good on a sun lounger as it does as a sarong to stroll to the bar. By Hamamtuch, £25.

Chattering class: Even your phone can have a summery style update with a protective case in a delicate dandelion design. The case is dual-layered to protect from shock and has a scratch-resistant matte coating. By Clarissa Hulse, £30.

Party piece: Made from silicone, this shoulder bag can be configured in two different ways by changing the position of the handle in the eyelets. The perfect party bag, especially if you’re prone to spilling your tipple… By Dampai, £55.

Bamboo birds: In fresh summer shades, this ‘Love Birds’ fan made from ecologically friendly bamboo can be whisked out with a flourish when it gets a bit toasty. By Rex London, £6.95. 

Heroine chic: Celebrate the work of Marianne North, a Victorian artist and botanist who created 848 paintings of the natural world in her global travels, with this cropped kimono featuring one of her designs. By Curated Living, £42.

Just ducking out: A holdall for weekends away can be pretty as well as practical. This one, printed with flying ducks, has plenty of room plus handy internal pockets. By Sophie Allport, £56.

Sage advice: Because of unpredictable British summers, a light jumper is a wardrobe staple. This cashmere classic in sage green sits at mid-hip level and has side splits for added comfort. By  Cashmere & Cotton, £159.

Fair fan club: Made in Ghana from sustainable natural straw, these fairtrade fans come in a range of cheerful colour combinations. By Lola & Mawu, £33.

Local hero: A striking triangular glass pendant in bold lime green makes an instant summer statement, it is handmade by Sussex artist Barbara Hibbart. By  Fragments of Glass, £24.95.

Time of your life: Bright and durable, this waterproof unisex watch is ideal for summer fun, especially if you’re at the beach or messing about in boats – and 1% of sales are donated to environmental charities. By Wearth London, £75.

Georgia Lewis

In a career that has spanned Australia, the Middle East and the UK, Georgia has written about all sorts of things, including sex, cars, food, oil and gas, insurance, fashion, travel, workplace safety, health, religious affairs, glass and glazing… When she’s not writing words for fun and profit, she can usually be found with a glass of something French and red in her hand.

The post Late summer fashion edit – making the most of it appeared first on Silver Magazine.