Back in the early ’90s, I went travelling around the world with a rucksack on my back, a good pair of walking boots and a giant bottle of sun oil – which had absolutely no protection in it – for maximum tanning.

After a year, I headed home looking quite literally like I had been dipped in chocolate and not once did I give a thought to how silly it was to be lying out in the blazing sunshine frying my skin for vanity’s sake. Luckily for me, before my skin started to resemble a shrivelled prune, I saw sense and started taking care of it when the sun shone. I realised that wearing sunscreen not only prevented the agony of sunburn, but I could still get a natural sun-kissed tan even when lathered in high-factor lotion.

I can’t think of anything nicer than lazing around in the sunshine, feeling that warmth on my bones. Sunshine makes us feel energised and happy, and as we are hopefully heading for a sun-filled couple of months, I wanted to share my sun-care tips and my favourite and most effective lotions and potions.

Waterproof sunscreen

Always apply waterproof sunscreen before you go out to sunbathe, especially when it comes to protecting children, so that it gives the SPF time to settle into the skin. Apply the sunscreen to the entire body before you pop on the togs – this will ensure you don’t miss any bits. Remember that the sun is strongest between noon and 3pm. Always reapply sunscreen after you have dried off from being in the water.

Start off your tanning with a high factor and wear a sun hat and sun glasses. The UV sun hats for kids with the flap at the back to protect their necks are great because they can be worn in the water and don’t easily come off. Protecting the delicate skin on your face in the heat is essential as sun damage is one of the key factors in skin ageing. Always wear factor 30-plus on your face, neck and hands. Bobbi Brown SPF 50 protective face base (€37.50 from www.brownthomas.com) is a super luxurious sunscreen. When it’s applied, the cream sinks straight into the skin, so your foundation will not slide off when applied over the top.

If you don’t want to wear a full foundation in the sun, but won’t venture out bare-faced, Vichy Idéal Soleil BB tinted velvety cream SPF 50+ (RRP €16.50) is a super lightweight tinted moisturiser that works wonders – and is great for a dewy look on the beach.

I use Clarins sunscreen care milk lotion spray SPF 50 (RRP €26), which smells lovely, sprays on easily and nourishes and revitalises the skin. For children, an easy-to-apply sunscreen is Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ spray (€11 for 200ml from www.boots.ie). It quickly absorbs into a child’s delicate skin, so no harsh rubbing is involved, it’s hypoallergenic and water resistant.

If you are in the UK in the near future, keep an eye out for Calypso Sun Protection All School Day Long for Kids SPF 40 (RRP £17.99), which is my winning product. It’s an all-day, water-resistant cream and is especially great for kids who cannot stand having sun lotion reapplied.

Bargain sun lotion

Aldi’s newly launched Lacura Suncare Moisturising Lotion SPF 30 is my bargain sun lotion at €3.49 for 200ml. It’s been SPF- and UVA-assured. It’s not the easiest lotion to rub in, but it does the job and for that price it’s well worth having a few tubes in the car, handbag, tractor and children’s school bags.

There is no such thing as a total sunblock – it doesn’t really exist. The only sun block is a brick wall. No sun block can shut out 100% UV rays.

If you unfortunately get sunburn, you should keep that patch of skin out of the sun until it has properly healed, as its protective barrier has been totally stripped away.

Neal’s Yard Remedy makes a very good calming spritz of organic chamomile and aloe vera after-sun spray (RRP €9.10) – it is soothing, healing and will take the sting out of any burn. Clarins after-sun moisturiser ultra-hydrating cream (RRP €27) will cool and moisturise the skin, while lemon juice mixed with a small amount of water squeezed over sun burn is a great natural healer.

Carmex have brought out a lovely peach sheer tint SPF 15 lip balm with vitamin E and aloe vera, which I find very moisturising and protecting (€4.99 from www.boots.ie) – it’s a great little product for the beach bag.