Triona McCarthy: Whether the sun is in or out, it's important to make sure you have the right SPF product

Irish Independent

03-08-2025

Every summer, I return there with my children, and while we're down at the pier or skimming stones at the strand, one of the main topics of convo with my friends, cousins and random strangers is all the different SPF products we have now.
Thankfully, newer products have evolved, that not only provide protection but also nourish and hydrate without leaving that mucky metallic sheen. Here are some of my absolute favourites.
It's the Future
The new Ultra Violette Future Fluid Superlight Mineral Skinscreen SPF 50 (€44, boots.ie) is a lightweight zinc SPF that is almost like a serum. It also makes a great primer for make-up as it disappears into the skin instantly, so it feels like you are wearing nothing yet your skin is being protected. It gives you a smooth canvas that grips your foundation, and stops it separating around the oilier areas, providing a soft-focus filter while protecting you from harmful rays.
For a more budget-friendly option, check out Nivea Sun UV Face 2in1 Daily Primer Face Serum SPF 50 (€19,boots.ie) as this lightweight, non-greasy protection against UVA/UVB rays and high energy visible light is enriched with two types of hyaluron and licochalcone A, so it hydrates, smooths and prepares skin for make-up while minimising environmental impact.
Entering the Matrix
I am a real fan of NeoStrata Matrix Support SPF 30 (€76.95, neostrata.ie), which is a day cream in a non-greasy formula that targets the skin's hydrating matrix to firm it and repair the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It features ultimate anti-ageing ingredients like retinol and neoglucosamine with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection to prevent your skin from burning.
Here comes the sun
Piz Buin seems to have been around forever, so it's no surprise that it's so good as it has been backed by over 70 years of expertise in suncare. The Piz Buin Moisturising Face Cream (€14, boots.ie) contains sunflower oil and vitamin E to provide intense moisturisation to help the skin's natural hydration level while tanning.
It offers UVA/UVB protection filters to help protect the skin from the sun, and can also be worn under make-up. It comes in a formula that's fast-absorbing, leaving no white marks, and feels a lot more luxe than the price tag.
Go Ginseng
Korean skincare is having a moment and Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF 50 (€23.90, brownthomas.com, and also in Barnetts in Schull where I first discovered it) is too.
This sun protection with skincare benefits should be used during the last step of a skincare routine when you apply it to the areas exposed to UV radiation. The ginseng extract provides anti-ageing effects, helping to improve wrinkles and nourish the skin, and it absorbs seamlessly into the skin, without leaving a white cast or stickiness.
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Treat
Beach ready If you're doing a bit of, er, ladyscaping this summer, this is a must-have for your bikini line. Kiehl's Ingrown Hair and Tone Correcting Intimate Drops (€51, kiehls.ie) are formulated with a gentle AHA blend and jojoba oil to help minimise the appearance of ingrown hairs and to even skin tone. Just add one to two drops to your finger and dab it where needed.
Treatment
Facial technology If you wish to transform your skin's texture, tone and vitality, a new facial combines five technologies in one. The ORA Power+ Facial is the latest innovation from Dublin-based Dr Edel Woods at ORA Clinic (oraskinclinic.ie). It includes BBL (broadband light) to target sun damage, pigmentation and redness, microneedling and polynucleotide injections to hydrate and rebuild collagen, especially under eyes and around smile lines or neck.
Trick
Skin aware Artificial intelligence has its tentacles into everything these days, and lots of beauty brands are incorporating AI and augmented-reality technologies into their products. I feel it's particularly good for helping you to analyse your skin. Check out brands that have generative AI tools that allow you to upload your photos, and you will get a feel for how your skin will change over time when using certain products.