 Dior Bronze After Sun Monoi Balm, £22 for 150 ml at www.boots.com; click here to find it on-line.
Score: 8.22/10
Just twist the lid to release this ultra-rehydrating balm, which gets its divine exotic-but-fresh light fragrance from tropical tiaré flowers, soaked in coconut oil. Copra oil stimulates collagen production, to combat the sun’s ageing effects.
Comments: ‘Very smooth, silky, cooling, light lotion with lovely fragrance’ • ‘no sunburn after I applied this, skin soft and smooth, liked the extra hint of colour’ • ‘left a gorgeous sheen’ • ‘lovely cooling sensation on the skin, very gorgeous smell’ • ‘refreshing and deeply hydrating’ • ‘felt luxurious on my skin, and looked it on my bathroom shelf!’ • ‘looks and smells absolutely gorgeous and is a pleasure to use’.
 Ole Henriksen All Purpose Aloe Vera Gel, £35 for 227 g at www.feelunique.com; find it on-line here.
Score: 8.35/10
Don’t be put off by the bright minty colour of this almost icily cooling gel, which is packed with aloe vera and glycerin. (It makes a year-round skin-soother, actually, helping treat rashes, cuts and shaving/waxing irritation.)
Comments: ‘Very easy to smooth in, pure clean fragrance, skin felt cool on application, then soft; really impressed’ • ‘felt cool and soothed instantly’ •
‘lovely silky texture, not at all sticky’ • ‘very refreshing and cool’ • ‘wonderful on tired puffy eyes, and great for a burn on my finger, also after epilating my legs’ • ‘use it as after-sun for my daughter who has eczema, helps her skin almost immediately’ • ‘lovely refreshing “green” smell’ • ‘stopped tight flakey skin, very happy with this product’.
 BEAUTY STEAL Nivea Sun Moisturising After Sun Lotion, £6.15 for 200 ml at www.boots.com; find it on-line here.
Score: 8/10
Although it sinks in fast, this prettily-scented, pleasantly cooling lotion packs a hefty dose of moisture (thanks to aloe vera and avocado), to leave skin silky soft. (Fact: a well-hydrated skin holds a tan for longer…)
Comments: ‘Very pleasant cooling sensation, absorbed well, smooth and rich in feel, liked the fresh smell’ • ‘left skin feeling lovely and not greasy’ •
‘would use daily as body lotion, very economical’ • ‘very moisturising and cooling’ • ‘left skin soft silky and smooth, with a healthy glow’ • ‘liked the ergonomic bottle shape, and cream dispenses easily’.
 Clinique After Sun Rescue Balm, £17 for 150 ml at www.boots.com; find it on-line here.
Score: 7.95/10
Clinique performed very well in this summer’s trials, with another excellent score for this aloe-rich ultra-moisturising balm which is suitable for both face and body. (The spot-prone will welcome the info that it’s non-acnegenic, unlike some rich after-suns.)
Comments: ‘Soothing and cooling when applied; very easy to use flip lid and easy to control amount’ • ‘liked the unobtrusive perfume’ • ‘did enjoy using this product, which was much more quickly absorbed than my normal one’ • ‘rich lotion which smoothed on very quickly with no dragging, no stickiness or tackiness, lovely cooling sensation the moment it was applied’ • ‘worth every penny; skin felt immediately very smooth and silky, hydrated and with a cool comfy feeling’.
Korres Cooling After-Sun with Yoghurt, £15 for 150 ml from www.bathandunwind.com; find it on-line here.
Score: 7.94/10
A cooling action can be most welcome when you're trying to unborn your sunburn. Yoghurt itself is notoriously skin-cooling and calming, and this has large dollops of that ingredient, to instantly remoisturise the skin's surface and relieve redness. There are anti-inflammatory elements in this lotion, too - notably fennel and a botanical we're unfamiliar with until now, called epilobium angustifolium.
Comments: ‘Lovely smooth consistency, almost gel like, absorbed within a few seconds, skin felt immediately smooth and hydrated, and cooled’ • ‘loved the ease of the pump action, used this as my daily moisturiser morning and evening, left skin smooth and moisturised’ • ‘pleasant and cooling on sun-exposed skin; children liked the smell, texture rather like thick yogurt’ • ‘relieved the redness on my partner’s face after skiing’ • ‘good that it’s designed for face and body’ • ‘the same cooling effect as plain yogurt but without the white streaks’ • ‘reasonable price for a quality product’.
 BEAUTY STEAL Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun Intensive Replenishing Treatment, £8.99 for 300 ml from www.lloydspharmacy.com; find it on-line here.
Score: 7.87/10
Cactus extract is the secret skin-cooling weapon in this refreshing, rehydrating post-sun treatment; Garnier also recommend keeping it in the fridge, first, to super-activate that cooling action. Skin should remain soft and supple for up to 12 hours, they promise.
Comments: ‘My skin felt gorgeous within minutes, smooth and moisturised very quickly’ • ‘refreshing citrussy smell – heavenly in fact – and product cooled and moisturised skin’ • ‘really excellent moisturiser, softened hands and elbows; not tacky at all; would really help any peeling – I was impressed’ • ‘a little goes a long way’ • ‘pot is portable if a little bulky and contains enough for a really good holiday’.
|
