A celebrity skincare expert says you should prepare your skin for the sun by having – a green tea. Scott McGlynn, 35, makes sure to have the hot drink before he heads out into the sun as he said it can help prevent sunburn.
According to a study on the 'Protective Mechanisms of Green Tea Polyphenols in Skin' the drink has an abundant source of plant polyphenols which help protect the skin. The host of Celebrity Skin Talk is very conscious of his skin in the heat and warns Brits to not forget the SPF for the upcoming May heatwave.
Scott said we should only lay in the sun for an hour and moisturise after. He loves to use products from budget supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi – costing as little as £3.
Scott who splits his time between London and Cardiff, Wales, said: “Instead of normal tea have a green tea before you go in the sun.
“It helps cool you and gets you ready for the sun. It can help prevent sunburn.
“If you’re laying in the sun an hour is enough. Less is more. Our skin only needs so much vitamin D.”
Fair-skinned Scott wears factor 50 SPF as he “burns like crazy” and said we should be wearing SPF 30 plus on our body. He will even wear a top or stay under a brolly when outside in the heat to protect his skin.
Scott warns we need to be just as careful with our skin in the British heatwave as we would on a sunny holiday abroad. He said: “Because it’s British sun people don’t see it as concerning.
“At the end of the day it’s the sun. Foundation with SPF. That’s not enough. Don’t forget to add SPF on top of that. With sun damage age spots will come sooner.”
After a day in the sun, Scott said it is important to moisturise to hydrate the skin. He said: “When you’re finished in the sun moisturise the body everywhere.
"People forget about the chest down. You just need a thick moisturiser. I could cost £2 from Lidl, Aldi or Boots. The sun dries our skin out. After a bath or shower when your body is still a bit damp – apply moisturiser then.”
He also said we should cleanse twice to wipe away SPF.
He said: “Use a pre-cleanser which really stripes away the SPF and then cleanse. On my body I use a Dove soap for 50p and cleanse before using a shower gel. Don’t put soap on your face – it’s drying.”
Scott loves to use budget friendly products after growing up struggling with acne and spending his wages using luxury skincare that “didn’t work”. Currently he’s using a cheap Superdrug own brand SPF for £5.
Scott said: “It’s not about the price tag.”