Summer Beauty | Bondi Sands Face Tinted SPF 50+ & Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ review

It might not feel very warm outside right now, but the UV is already hitting those medium levels here in the UK.  It's time to slap on that sunscreen if you haven't been doing so already! Why not try these two from Bondi Sands?

You may be more familiar with Bondi Sands' excellent self-tanning range (I'm a big fan of their self-tanning foams in particular), however, everyone's favourite Aussie brand also does sunscreen products which makes absolute sense when you think about it! 

Did you also know that Australia has much stricter regulations when it comes to producing sunscreen formulas? Again, this makes a lot of sense given their sunny proximity on the globe, and is perhaps one of the reasons why so many skincare gurus highly recommend using Australian-made sunscreen products.

Both of the Bondi Sands sunscreens below are certified cruelty-free, reef-friendly, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin types. They are also broad-spectrum sunscreens meaning that they fully protect against both harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Bondi Sands Face SPF 50+ Tinted* (75ml, £8.99)

Facial sunscreens are something that I wear all year round, regardless of how sunny it is outside, and this is mainly because sunscreens are the best form of anti-aging protection. You can use a million different types of expensive serums and fancy face maks, but if you're not wearing sunscreen, you're not properly protecting your skin!

Bondi Sands has a great range of facial sunscreens to choose from and my go-to is their SPF 50+ Tinted version. I personally find most facial sunscreens to be very 'white' for my skin tone, so a tinted version erases this issue and layers so much nicer underneath my foundation/base product. Plus on days when I don't want to wear a full face of makeup, it adds a little colour to my complexion. Not only is this a budget-friendly steal at less than £10, but it blends in easily and feels hydrating too without any stickiness.

Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ (150ml, £10.99)

For the body, there's the Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ which I've recommended countless times to friends and family. Usually, I prefer a classic tropical/coconut-scented sunscreen to use on my body, but this one is a fantastic fragrance-free alternative and comes in really handy if I'm experiencing an eczema flare-up and can't use any scented products. 

It features a 4-hour water-resistant formula with a plant-based hydration complex with ethically sourced algae which is a godsend for dry skin. Once applied to the skin, it sinks in quickly and is invisible, whilst also being non-greasy. A real winner! 

Bondi Sands is available from numerous stockists including Boots where it's currently on a buy one, get one half price offer.

What are your favourite sunscreens?

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Summer Beauty: 3 Cruelty-Free Sunscreens To Try This Summer

The weather is finally brightening up and feeling much more like Summer so it's a great time to stock up on that all-important essential for you and your family - sunscreen! Here are three cruelty-free brands you should try this Summer.

Best For Those Who Want A Tinted Sunscreen - Alteya Organics Organic Whole Body Sunscreen SPF 30* (90ml, £13.40, link)

I know a lot of people who dislike wearing sunscreen because of the white cast that can often be left on the skin and if that sounds like you, I'd recommend this one from Alteya Organics. Their Organic Whole Body Sunscreen SPF 30 has a clever sheer tint to it which blends into your natural skin tone as you rub it in so that you're not left looking as pale as a ghost after applying it. This broadspectrum formula is water-resistant for 40 minutes (always reapply after you've been swimming/in the water), and contains 95% organic certified natural ingredients which are kinder to sensitive skin types. It can be used all over the body and I'd also say it's suitable for the face thanks to the tinted formula.

Best For For Those Who Want A More Sustainable Option - Suntribe Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30* (60ml, £16.99, link)

It's not easy looking for a sunscreen which is more sustainable but this Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 from Suntribe ticks two important boxes. Firstly, its broad-spectrum formula is made from natural and organic ingredients which are reef-safe so they won't have a negative impact on aquatic life, and secondly, this sunscreen is sustainably packaged in a bio-based sugarcane tube that biodegrades much faster than regular plastic. Free from potentially harmful chemical UV-filters, parabens, alcohol, preservatives, perfume and synthetic chemicals, it's a good all-round option that can be used on the body and face. It has a subtle tint to it which prevents ghost face too.

Best For Babies & Sensitive Skin - Ayan Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50* (100ml, £23.90, link) & SPF 35* (100ml, £21.90, link)

One of the best sunscreen brands that I've tried for sensitive skin is Ayan and their Mineral Sunscreens are also suitable for use on babies as they're so gentle. They're made from just seven natural ingredients (77% of which are certified organic), are reef-safe and feature 20% non-nano zinc oxide to fully protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Sweat and water-resistant (always reapply after swimming/in water), they have lots of nourishing plant-based ingredients such as Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cacao Seed Butter, Coconut Oil, Beeswax and Vitamin E to stop your skin from drying out in the sun. Available in SPF 35 and SP 50, they absorb easily without any stickiness. I've tested them during a recent eczema flare-up and had no problems!

What are your favourite cruelty-free sunscreens?

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New In Beauty: Tropic Suncare range - Skin Shade Sun Cream, Sun Day Facial UV Defence, Sun Stick & Sun Soothe Aftersun review #ReefSafe

With the promise of some sunnier weather on the way this week, I thought it would be a great time to introduce you all to Tropic's new range of certified reef-safe, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly Suncare!

About a month or so ago, I was very kindly sent a package from Tropic to help promote their new suncare line which is certified reef-safe by Protect Land & Sea (click here for more info) and has products that the whole family can use. 

Here are my top picks:-

For The Whole Family: Tropic Skin Shade Sun Cream SPF 30* (200ml, £28, link)

Available in SPF 15, 30 and 50, Tropic's Skin Shade Sun Cream is ideal for the whole family to use, especially for those holidays and weekends away when you need a big 200ml tube! This broad-spectrum mineral formula contains Illawarra Plum extract, Kahai and Roucou Oils to keep your skin nourished and to provide additional antioxidant protection. It feels like a regular body moisturiser and absorbs quickly without feeling greasy or sticky.

For The Face: Sun Day Facial UV Defence SPF 50* (40ml, £24, link)  

I always recommend using a dedicated facial only sunscreen for the face, as the texture and formulas of most body sunscreens can often be too heavy for some skin types to handle which can lead to breakouts. I love this Sun Day Facial UV Defence SPF 50 as it not only offers that all-important broad-spectrum protection, but it also doubles up as a primer thanks to plant-based polymers and Hyaluronic Acid, plus it has the most amazing silky and lightweight texture - I'm really impressed by it! 

For Tinted Fans: Tropic Skin Shade Tinted Facial Sun Cream SPF 50* (40ml, £24, link)

If you want your facial sunscreen to come in a tinted moisturiser style format, you can't go wrong with Tropic's Skin Shade Tinted Facial Sun Cream SPF 50. The 100% mineral-based formula protects against free radicals and UV rays, whilst delivering a lovely, sheer dewy glow to the skin - think of it like an easy way to achieve a look that says 'your skin but better'! It's available in two colour options, Light/Medium and Medium/Dark, and it's just perfect for those days when you want to give your skin a real boost without caking on loads of foundation.

For On-The-Go Protection: Tropic Sun Stick SPF 50+* (17g, £20, link)

For a super easy top-up whilst you're out and about, Tropic's Sun Stick SPF 50+ is a summer handbag essential that's packed full of soothing natural ingredients such as Marshmallow Root extract, Vitamin E and Green Algae extract, in addition to broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection. This handy twist-up balm stick makes it ultra-convenient to swipe onto those areas that are the most exposed to the sun such as the face, ears, backs of hands, shoulders etc, as and when you need to reapply.

For When You Get Home: Tropic Sun Soothe Cooling Aftersun Lotion* (200ml, £22, link)

Lastly, a good quality aftersun should be on every sun-lover's shopping list this summer and this gorgeous Sun Soothe Cooling Aftersun feels like a breath of fresh air after a long and hot day! It contains plenty of natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like Aloe Vera, Bisabolol and Jojoba Oil, to instantly soothe and soften irritated and sunburnt skin. Another family favourite thanks to the large 200ml tube!

Shop the full range at Tropicskincare.com

Have you bought any new sunscreen this year?

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