At this point, everybody knows that SPF is fundamental in protecting your skin from UV rays, avoiding sunburn and preventing dark spots and fine lines, as well as cancer. But it needs to be a sufficient layer of sunscreen to actually protect your skin.

“The single most important thing is to use the right amount of product to get the level of protection promised on the tube,” says Harley Street dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting. “That’s 30ml or a shot glass amount for a head-to-toe application.” You should be reapplying every two hours – more often if you’re swimming or getting sweaty – and sit in the shade when you can and avoid being in the sun during peak UV exposure between 11.00am and 3.00pm.

For after-sun care, Dr Bunting suggests washing off the SPF product with a non-foaming cleanser to “avoid drying out your skin barrier” and “then apply a moisturiser which contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like allantoin and aloe,” that is for both face and body. Grown Alchemist’s Soothing Body Gel-Lotion, formulated with aloe vera, magnesium and amino acids, will keep you hydrated, but won’t sit on the skin. For your face, Susanne Kaufmann’s Moisturizing Gel with hyaluronic acid, aloe and apple extracts is a perfect after-sun moisturiser that your skin will drink up.

During the warmer months, “avoid using skincare that clogs pores,” says Dr Bunting. She recommends her patients to skip moisturiser altogether in the summer if they have a combination/oily skin type, and simply rely on their SPF. “Choose an SPF with the finish you desire – gel delivers more of a matte look,” she says.

A lightweight antioxidant serum, such as Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Brightening Serum or Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster, makes for a belt-and-braces approach to sun protection and hydration. And if your skin is particularly parched, introducing a mist in between your skincare steps will add a boost of hydration – try La Mer’s The Mist or Grown Alchemist’s Detox Hydra-Mist+.

You can also use a layer of tinted moisturiser to give skin a healthy glow, says make-up artist and men’s groomer Ms Lucy Halperin. “Really pat it in the face, to make sure it firmly sticks to the face, and that way you probably don’t need to use a powder.” Start with a thin layer and then build up if you need to. “I also love blotting papers – just blot those on the skin to take the oil out during the day,” she says.

Meanwhile, for those with pale skin looking for a touch of colour this summer, Halperin recommends a bronzing gel. “The TOM FORD bronzing gel is unbelievable,” she says. “It’s a pigmented colour, I mix it with an anti-redness moisturiser, I would put that all over the face, and then take the gel and pat some extra colour on your cheeks and forehead.”

Sun, sea, sweat and pollution can all dry out your hair and scalp, so protecting and moisturising during the summer months is key. Opt for a weekly mask to hydrate and nourish the hair – Aesop’s Rose Hair And Scalp Moisturising Mask will infuse the hair with moisturising ingredients without weighing it down. Also try a leave-in conditioner such as Sisley’s Precious Hair Care Oil with passion fruit, shea and moringa, and maybe wear a hat if you’re out in the sun.

“I like using creams for your hair [instead of styling gels],” Halperin says. “And what I sometimes like doing is adding a bit of oil as well.” A product such as Aesop’s Violet Leaf Hair Balm will keep your hair in place and nourish it instead of drying it out. If your hair is extra dry, adding a bit of jojoba or almond oil to the cream will make the product even more moisturising.

Halperin also suggests not over-washing your hair – aim for about three times a week or less. “If you want to take the day’s dirt off, just rinse it,” she says. And once every few weeks, a scalp scrub will help exfoliate any product build-up or grime – Christophe Robin’s Purifying Shampoo formulated with cherry blossom extract (which has anti-inflammatory properties) will do that without over-sensitising the scalp.