Sizzling Summer Skincare from Nuxe, Kiehl's, Nivea, Eucerin, Erborian & Bioderma

There is nothing quite like the feeling of warm summer sun on your skin and how great it is for body and soul to get some Vitamin D and a little bit of a glow. However sun care skincare is so vital and finding the right products to look after your skin during the summer months to protect and hydrate is essential. I've been researching summer products for the last couple of years and here is my essential edit of the very best sunshine skincare.

When it comes to taking care of your skin during the summer months two aspects are vital to prevent skin damage and even skin cancer. First and foremost sun protection. Whatever your skin type you have to use an SPF. No potential tan is worth the consequences of sun damage. If you are fair and don't tan, just accept it and relish your beautiful pale skin and never forget to pack your SPF50. If you do tan you still need to protect your skin from the harmful sun rays and you can still get a great colour while wearing high sun factor.

We all know the rules for looking after you skin when the sun graces us with its presence in Ireland but few abide by them when it happens leaving the consequences aside for the hope of the golden Mecca of a natural tan. But complete lack of care can have drastic effects on our precious skin for years to come so a little skin pampering and care really is worth its weight in gold.

So, here are my picks for the most effective sun protection and after sun care so you can enjoy your summer glow and the goodness it does for your skin without doing any damage.

After plenty of research (and many mistakes) I've picked out the best products I could find to ensure happy, healthy summer skin.

Kiehl's 

Ultra Light Daily UV Defence; Activated Sun Protection SPF50, Creme de Corps

Probably the loveliest, lightweight all year round sun block I've come across for the face is Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defence SPF50 (€37.50), as adored by porcelain skinned actress Julianne Moore for many years. The best thing about this is how light it is on the skin, unlike some sun blocks which almost smother the skin by being too heavy or are too oily for hot weather. It's almost imperative to carry a sunblock like this in your bag day to day all year round. My favourite aspect of this is the lovely hue it gives to your skin too, leaving you positively glowing!

The newest sun products from Kiehl's released this year, the paraben-free Activated Sun Protector for Face (€32) and Body (€28) are just perfect all out sun blockers that form a barrier to keep all harmful effects of the sun penetrating your skin. Kiehl's is a huge winner for me when it comes to sun protection down to the quality and effectiveness of these products and how kind they are on your skin.

Finally, although not marketed specifically as an after-sun, in my opinion, and the general consensus of the beauty world, Kiehl's Creme de Corps is well known for being the best, most hydrating body moisturiser you can ever lay your hands on and I find it absolutely brilliant as an after-sun. Available in a variety of sizes from 75ml (€10) to 500ml (€53) Creme de Corps works for everything from soothing after-sun to dry skin healer in the depths of winter. I slather it on when I come in from the sun.

Bioderma Photoderm Bronze SPF 50

Another wonder product from firm favourite Bioderma which has just become available in Ireland this June, this Photoderm Bronze SPF50 (€22) not only provides high protection from the sun but also enables gradual tanning, if you do tan. A gorgeous, see-through oil suitable for sensitive skin this product really is a great all rounder and, like all Bioderma products, is extremely skin friendly to boot.

The brand also has a brilliant, wider selection of sun and after-sun products for adults and kids, all at a really reasonable price. If you're interested in learning a bit more about Bioderma, I wrote an introduction to the brand's most renowned products here. Better still it's available in a huge selection of pharmacies across Ireland now.

Tan Enhancers from Nuxe

These two products, especially the Tanning Oil For Face and Body (€20), are really only intended for people with darker skin tones with higher melanin who tan naturally. There is absolutely no use for the tanning oil if you don't tan. I use this mixed with a factor 50 sun block since I tan and the combination helps to protect my skin while miraculously heightening the process of tanning. Since we get such little sun here in Ireland I started using these at the start of the summer for short periods when the sun actually comes out and I haven't had such a dark tan in years. The Sun Oil comes in Factor 10 and 20 and I would highly recommend using it along with a higher SPF.

The Nuxe Refreshing After-Sun Lotion for Face and Body (€20) is not only the most gorgeous after sun I've ever used but it really works to prolong sun tan. I started using this last year and loved it as a body lotion so much I never stopped using it. After Sun aside it is one of the most hydrating body lotions I've ever used. When it comes to after sun use the product contains sun and water flowers and works to prolong your tan while repairing and soothing your skin from the effects of sunshine. Finally, it has the Nuxe trademark Huile Prodigieuse scent which makes it just irresistible.

Nivea Protect and Bronze Collection

Top of the budget friendly list this Nivea Protect and Bronze Tan Activating Protection Oil SPF20 (€12) and Tan Prolonging Lotion (€7.50) are perfect skincare products for those who tan during the summer months. The silky smooth tan protection oil comes in SPF20 and 30, is full of skin friendly hydrating ingredients to keep your skin moisturised while the natural pro-melanin plant extract supports the skin's natural tanning ability. And when you come in from the sun the Tan Prolonging Lotion both hydrates and soothes the skin after sun exposure and also contains the pro-melanin extract to make your tan last longer.

Eucerin

Eucerin is a widely loved and essential brand for anyone with sensitive, dry, problem skin and has a wide range of products tailor-made for those who suffer from a variety of dry skin conditions. The brand comes highly recommended by dermatologists and a huge range of celebrities from Charlize Theron to Lucy Liu.

These Eucerin SPF 50+ Sun Protection for Face and After Sun Lotion are the perfect companion for those with sensitive skin. Containing no fragrances or harmful irritating additives both products are so gentle and nourishing for your skin. The SPF for face (€18 for SPF30 and €19.50 for SPF50) is emollient based and provides a blanket block on your skin. The After Sun Lotion provides a cooling, soothing treatment after skin is exposed to sun and is a non-greasy cream gel free from emulsifiers, perfumes and preservatives.

Erborian

Having an SPF in your foundation, tinted moisturiser, or BB Cream is the best way to remember to protect your skin from the elements all year round and this Erborian BB Créme Au Ginseng (€48) is my absolute favourite coverage and protection combo out there.

As well as providing SPF20, this product is such a treat for your skin, nourishing it as you wear it. Erborian is a mixture of Korean and French beauty expertise in one company and is one of the most exciting new brands I have come across in the beauty world. On top of all that the coverage with this BB Cream is dewy and makes your skin look so radiant and glowing. Such a huge treat while you protect your skin from the sun!

Kiehl's is available from Kiehl's Wicklow St, Dundrum Town Centre, Arnotts and at arnotts.ie; Bioderma, Nuxe, Nivea and Eucerin are available from pharmacies nationwide; Erborian is available from Space NK, Grafton Street and Harvey Nicholl's Dundrum Town Centre.