5 ways to look after that gorgeous skin of yours.

1. Sunscreen

Yeah, you know it: you have to wear sunscreen every day of the year. Sorry to nag yet again. But it’s worth making a mantra of it, because if you get your suncare strategy right, you’ll look younger for longer. No matter what level of sun protection your regular moisturiser boasts, you need a separate and serious sunscreen to layer on top (you may even find, in warmer weather, that you can do without moisturiser altogether). Make sure it’s marked at least ‘SPF 15’ - which means it guards again the UVB, or burning rays – as well as ‘broad-spectrum’ – which indicates that it also defends again UVA, or ageing, rays.

Good buys for summer ’09: Bloom Daily Shield Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen SPF30+, $28 from Bloom; Sunsense Anti-Ageing Face Matte SPF30+, $16.95 from pharmacies; Nivea Sun Light Feel Daily Face Veil SPF30, $10.99 from pharmacies; Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector SPF30+, $35 from Adore Beauty; Clarins UV Plus Protection Day Screen SPF30+, $44 from Adore Beauty; and, UV Triplegard Summer Skin Clear Zinc for Face & Body, $13.99, from pharmacies.

NB: If you’re planning to be outside for more than a few hours, you’ll need to re-apply your sunscreen. This can be a little tricky if you wear foundation. Get into the habit of either mixing your foundation into sunscreen for suncare top-ups, or consider buying a tinted sunscreen, such as Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+, $32.95 from Adore Beauty.

If you’re destined for a day in the office, and the only outdoors time you have is running for the bus and to grab a salad at lunch, you should be fine with your morning suncare dose – provided your desk isn’t situated by a window, seeing as UVA can penetrate through glass.

2. A Serum

There’s evidence that regular use of some topical antioxidants (for instance, vitamin C and green tea) can bolster the effects of sunscreen and decrease damage. Considering that even the highest-factor broadest-spectrum sunscreen still allows some UV rays to slip through, it’s worth making an antioxidant-rich serum a daily – or better yet, twice-daily – skincare step.

Try: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, $146.90 from selected salons (call 1800 242 011) or Ultraceuticals C-10 Serum, $80 from Adore Beauty.

3. Mineral Makeup

True mineral makeup is made up purely from crushed earth minerals, including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – two of the best broad-spectrum-protecting ingredients around. That means that you not only get a great second-line-defence sunscreen, it’s also an ideal way to re-apply sunscreen during the day. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to apply a full face to get full coverage.

Great buys: i.d Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals, $65, from Adore Beauty; Bloom Pure Mineral Powder Foundation, $35 from Bloom; Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation, $22.95 from pharmacies.

4. Accessories

While the ultimate suncare strategy is total avoidance, it’s not always realistic. The next best thing: covering up. A large pair of dark sunglasses (the thicker the arms, the better) is the best way to sun-protect the eye area; a tightly-weaved wide-brimmed hat is great for overall face care; and high-neck kaftan tops or summer scarves shield the delicate décolletage from damage that is mostly irreversible. Now there’s a good excuse for more shopping.

5. Food

And here’s a good excuse for more eating. Did you know that some food can help the body fight the free radical damage caused by sun exposure? The key is to eat as many colourful foods as possible, which is a sign that your body is getting a good range of antioxidants. Lycopene, which is found in tomatoes, is a particularly good edible sunscreen. Also recommended: blueberries, strawberries, apricots and green leafy vegetables. Follow with chasers of green, red or black tea and those nasty sun-triggered free radicals don’t stand a chance.