Whether you’re having a Eurosummer or heading to the Bahamas, Greece or Mexico, your skin deserves to come back glowing rather than peeling. This list is pure main character energy — we’ve ditched the heavy foundations for glazed textures, smart SPF and body oils that make you shimmer at dinner. Here at 22Words, we’ve rounded up 20 finds that keep the harsh UV rays at bay while you look like a bronzed glazed doughnut.
Look divine with the Nuxe Prodigieuse Shimmer Oil – a cult favourite, for a reason.
This non-greasy dry oil gives your limbs a subtle, goddess-like shimmer and a divine fragrance. A little goes a long way. Just apply it to your collarbones before a silk-dress dinner to achieve that healthy sheen.
A tanning oil with high protection for only £6? It’s a summer miracle.
This Malibu SPF50 Tanning Oil Spray gives you an even application that dries fast, without the usual sticky mess. It’s the savvy way to develop a deep tan while keeping your skin’s integrity.
Get this Body Shop hyaluronic acid body butter, because your tan is only as good as the skin underneath it.
This body butter is packed with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. Our pick is the Mango butter for a yummy, tropical scent that leaves you silky smooth and perfectly prepped for the sun.
Avoid getting a sunburn on your hair parting with this Ultrasun SPF50 Face & Scalp Mist.
This transparent SPF mist protects your scalp and face without ruining your hairstyle or leaving a greasy residue. It’s long-lasting, prevents redness, and is easy to reapply over makeup throughout a long day at the beach club.
Get this L’Oreal Matte Setter primer if the goal is to look glazed, not greasy.
This L’Oreal primer keeps your T-zone in check, ensuring your glow stays exactly where you want it. It reduces mid-day shine and fades dark spots over time, acting as the perfect anchor for your sweat-proof summer makeup look
Turn a potential peel into a golden glow with the Hawaiian Tropic After Sun sorbet.
This after-sun sorbet is cooling, hydrating and smells like a tropical dream. This sorbet texture soaks in instantly without any sticky residue, making it the perfect post-beach treat for thirsty skin.
Have a glazed doughnut skin finish with the Tree Hut Shea Sugar scrub.
This cult-favourite scrub buffs away dullness, ensuring your fake tan (or real tan) looks even and lasts way longer. It’s the secret weapon for smooth skin that catches the light in all the right places.
Get that just-back-from-Ibiza look in seconds with the e.l.f. bronzing drops.
Mix these e.l.f. bronzing drops into your SPF or moisturiser for an instant, wash-off bronze. They provide a beautiful, sheer coverage that mimics a natural tan without the commitment or the sun damage.
Ditch the heavy foundation for this £11 skin tint with SPF 30.
This NYX skin tint offers light, breathable coverage that lasts all day, even on oily skin. It’s hydrating, comes in 1 shades so it’s easy to match, and gives you that your-skin-but-better finish that’s perfect for golden hour photos.
Get this Beauty of Joseon Rice with Probiotics sunscreen with SPF50 – the gold standard of daily sunscreens.
The Beauty of Joseon rice sunscreen is lightweight, leaves zero white cast, and sits beautifully under makeup. The rice-based formula is soothing and smooth, making it a skincare staple that doesn’t feel like a chore to apply.
Make your skin shimmer and smell delicious with this shimmer body mist on sale for £9
This Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Body Mist smells of warm sand and coconut. Simply, spritz it from head to toe to exude a beachy glow that smells as good as it looks. It’s the perfect finishing touch for sun-kissed skin.
If you want the doughnut glaze look without the shimmer, this £15 Vaseline set is your best bet.
This Vaseline oil is great if you have extremely dry skin. It gives you a soft, smooth glow that lasts all day. It also absorbs quickly, leaving you looking hydrated and without feeling slick.
Grab this Beauty of Joseon Glow serum on sale for only £13!
For skin that looks calm and refreshed, this propolis and niacinamide serum works wonders. It absorbs quickly without a sticky feeling, enhancing your natural glow and providing an excellent base for the rest of your routine.
Achieve a streak-free, natural-looking tan with the Coco & Eve Self-Tan Mousse set.
This tanning mousse gives you an even bronze with no orange tinge and lasts up to five days. The included mitt makes application help you get the results you want from the comfort of your bathroom.
Don’t forget to protect your lips with this Hello Sunday SPF50+ Lip Balm.
This squalane and hyaluronic acid-infused lip balm provides high protection while feeling deeply moisturising. It’s a “cool girl” essential that treats sensitive skin while giving your pout a subtle, healthy sheen and vital UV defence.
Shade your face without ruining your high pony with this straw sun hat.
This straw visor that comes in various shades allows for high buns or ponytails while shading your face, and it is only £10!
Get that ‘just stepped out of the sun’ flush with this e.l.f. lip and cheek tint.
This e.l.f. lip and cheek tint has a spongy applicator, making it easy to build up a gorgeous, lightweight shade on both lips and cheeks. It’s a multi-tasking summer staple.
Grab this reliable Nivea bronzing oil with SPF 30 for only £8!
This classic Nivea bronzing oil helps you develop a beautiful tan without the burn and is a necessity in your washbag during the summer.
Don’t let the sun and chlorine wreck your hair colour and texture, grab this Pantene Hair Protection spray instead!
This Pantene spray provides heat protection and makes frizzy holiday hair silky soft again. It’s an easy-to-use shield that keeps your hair as shiny as your glazed skin throughout your trip.
Grab this aloe vera gel for only £3, for those potential sunburn emergencies.
Whether it’s soothing a slight sunburn or hydrating after a flight, this aloe vera gel is a skin saviour. Keep it in the fridge for an extra-cooling effect that feels like a reset button for your face and body.