Protect

Before leaving the house ensure you're covered. "From the first minute of exposure, you're generating skin damage," warns Dr Paolo Giacomoni, executive director of research at Clinique. The devastating effects are seen all too often in Australia. "One in two Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer and more than 1600 Australians lose their lives each year to this almost entirely preventable disease," warns Craig Sinclair, chair of The Cancer Council Australia's skin cancer committee. He advises you sun-proof yourself by wearing sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, including sunglasses and a hat, and seeking shade where possible.

Sunscreen know-how

Selecting: Look for products that are SPF 30+, broad spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays) and water-resistant.

Applying: Sinclair advises applying sunscreen to clean, dry skin 20 minutes before going outdoors. "Don't rub it in too much - the skin will absorb it. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours - more regularly if you are swimming or sweating a lot - and should never be used to extend your normal amount of time in the sun."

How much? "Apply at least one teaspoon to each arm, leg, front and back of the body, and at least half a teaspoon to the face, including the ears and neck," says Sinclair.

Top picks: Thalgo Face Sunscreen-Cream SPF 30+ (1), $42; Clinique Super City Block SPF 30+ (2), $36; The Cancer Council Everyday Sunscreen SPF 30+ (3), $9.95; NIVEA SUN Sun Spray SPF 30+ (4), $17.25; Garnier Ambre Solaire Very High SPF 30+ Protection Sun Milk Sun Sensitive Skin (5), $13.69; Dermalogica Waterblock Solar Spray SPF 30 (6), $53.

After-sun care

Sometimes even our best efforts to shield our complexion don't go to plan, so nurture sun-damaged skin while it repairs and builds another protective layer.

Sinclair advises:

• Stay out of the sun until the redness, peeling and pain have disappeared.
  Drink plenty of water to replenish fluids.
  Keep burnt areas moist and supple with a moisturising cream. This won't prevent peeling, but will help prevent the new layer of skin underneath from drying out.
  Use a treatment specifically formulated to look after sunburn.
  For severe sunburn or if you are experiencing blistering, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or severe pain, see a doctor immediately.

Try: Clinique After-Sun Rescue Balm, $34 (7); Biotherm Sun After SOS Mist for Face & Body (8), $39.

UV rays exposed

"Both UVA and UVB rays cause damage and increase the risk of skin cancer," warns Sinclair. "UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin and causes wrinkles, blotchiness, sagging and discolouration." Dr Giancomoni says UVA radiation also promotes the growth of tumours by "creating conditions, such as the depletion of immune cells, which allows a mutated cell to multiply chaotically". Simultaneously, UVB rays penetrate the top layer of skin and are responsible for tanning, sunburn and inducing tumours. "It damages DNA and can lead to mutations in crucial genes - the ones that control cell duplication - causing a cell to start multiplying chaotically and turning it into a cancer cell," explains Dr Giacomoni.