Stay safe in the summer sun: Ruth Griffin shares the best sunscreens for every skin type

This summer, many of us won't be heading off to foreign shores, but instead will be enjoying a staycation here in Ireland. Whatever your situation, having a good quality SPF /sunscreen close to hand is a must for good skin health for all the family.

Finding a sunscreen that suits you, your family and your specific skin type can be tricky, but luckily there is such a variety of options out there now that there seems to be one to cater for every skin requirement.

Whether you suffer from prickly heat rash, oily skin breakouts, sun intolerance or are simply not a fan of streaky sunscreens, nowadays there are SPF formulas that cater to everything you could want.

I've given you some top-notch sunscreen options and divided them into the most common issues people have when choosing the correct type for their skin. Now we just cross the fingers and toes for some glorious weather to go with them!

High protection

Anthelios from La Roche Posay has an excellent range of sunscreens worth checking out - it has suncare options for nearly every sun-related condition from stingy eyes to hyper pigmentation. Its child range is called Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics and it gives exceptionally high sun protection for children, all dermatologically and pediatrically tested - in other words, it has been specially formulated for children's fragile, sensitive skin. (This lotion is also very water resistant and non-greasy, non-sticky.)

La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Hydrating Lotion, €19.95, from pharmacies nationwide.

Lip service

Our lips are one part of our body that many of us overlook when looking for sunscreens, but actually they are extra susceptible to sun exposure, as the skin on our lips is much thinner than the skin on our face, and have no sweat glands. How to protect our pout? Simple, we just swap our normal lip balm for one with a SPF during the hotter months. This gem has Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E to moisturise lips with SPF 20 added to protect our lips. This brand uses no sulfates SLES/SLS, parabens, perfume, formaldehyde, alcohol, soap or colours in its skincare.

Elave Sensitive Daily Lip Defence SPF20, €7.99, from pharmacies nationwide.

Good on the go

Technically, this sunscreen is suitable for all the family, but it's really popular with men for a reason. It works for up to 10 hours, is water and sweat resistant, is non-perfumed, transparent (ie it leaves no marks or streaks), plainly packaged and is travel size so it can be slipped into your pocket. No fuss, no frills, just really effective to have close to hand when you're on the golf course, when working outdoors, driving a lot, playing a lot of sport and looking for easy sun protection.

P20 Travel Size, €9.95, pharmacies nationwide.

Welcome matt

If you have oily skin and find that most sunscreens leave you looking like a shiny disco ball and cause breakouts, try this option from Eucerin. This is an everyday sunscreen that protects from sun exposure but also mattifies oily skin. This is non-perfumed - suitable for sensitive skin and with an ultra-fine, non-greasy texture that won't leave faces looking oily.

Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Fluid Mattifying, €18.50, from pharmacies nationwide.

Child's play

As every parent can attest - it's no secret that kids aren't exactly the biggest fans of sunscreen! They don't stay still long enough to have it rubbed in properly and see it as a major chore. This one from Nivea has a child-friendly, roll-on applicator and is easy for little hands to use, making the whole ritual a bit more fun. Importantly for kids, it also has a fast-absorbing and non-sticky formula.

Nivea Sun Kids Protect & Care Roll-On, €9.99, from pharmacies and grocery shops nationwide.

Magic formula

I've specifically included some facial SPFs adapted for the most common skin types (sensitive/dry/oily) because as most of us know, using the wrong sunscreen can result in skin breakouts. If you have sensitive, fair or dehydrated skin, check out this gem. The whole Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced range is especially designed for fair, sensitive and sun-intolerant skin. Coming in an ultra-fine, transparent formula, this will protect skin and hydrate it (a difficult combo to find) at the same time. It can even be applied over make-up for top-ups throughout the day.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive, €9.50, from pharmacies nationwide.