There are downsides to sunscreen: it can be greasy, it's annoying to have to reapply, and from time to time people will try to scare you into thinking it's dangerous. (It's not.) But you know what the upside is? It's actually sunscreen. Pills and DIY coconut oil recipes are not.

The sun's ultraviolet radiation is dangerous to our skin cells because it damages our DNA. That's why sun exposure can cause cancer, and why sunscreen is so important (even apart from its power to prevent sunburns). There are sunscreens that claim they can help your skin repair that damage — and, it turns out, they actually might (might!) work.

I'm so diligent about my sunscreen these days that my skin now, in November, is still the same light beige colour that it was all winter. But if you yearn for that sun-kissed glow, you're probably wondering what is the best way to get a tan - and whether any method is truly safe.

Android/iOS: Sunscreen isn’t just for preventing sunburns. The sun’s rays are responsible for much of the wrinkling, thickening and brownish spots that show up over time, especially on light skin. Fortunately, a good broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect you, and this app simulates exactly how much.

It’s pretty obvious to even a casual observer that the skin around our eyes is a little different from the rest of our faces. But is it different enough to merit a whole other product? Some people swear by eye cream and others say it’s a waste.

Coconut oil is great for your hair, and some people use it on their skin, too. But it seems as though every time I see somebody singing the praises of moisturising with the stuff, their very next complaint is that they just need to figure out how to get rid of their stubborn acne.

Do you know what you're putting on your skin? If not, you can use this product search engine to decode what's in your lotions, face serums and makeup.

In theory, SPF 50 and SPF 100 are very similar sunscreens: one blocks 98 per cent of UVB rays, and the other blocks 99 per cent. The problem is, nobody applies the amount of sunscreen that will get you the SPF listed on the bottle. So in reality you're getting very different protection out of those two bottles.

Zits are unfair. We didn't ask for them, we certainly don't deserve to have them into adulthood, and it's especially insulting when you finally get a giant pimple to go away and then it comes right back a few days later.

Unless you are sure you have every inch of your face covered in sunscreen right now, sit down. We need to talk.

Everyone has their own preferred sunburn treatment, but some work better than others. Here's what a dermatologist suggests you reach for, and what you shouldn't, when you catch too much sun.

Flaking, itching, taught and drab-looking skin are just no fun. Some, like yours truly, struggle with it more than others. We can blame our genes up to a point, but there's a lot we can do on our own for good-looking skin, like following a skin care routine that includes moisturising.

It's important to wash your face, but it's even more important to do it right so you don't actually make things worse for your skin. It all comes down to how often you should wash, and what you wash with.

I used to think my mum's 20-minute skin care regimen was overkill, but maybe she was onto something. Her face looks amazing and her skin is healthy in her older years. And now that I'm older and have researched the topic, I realise that the way you clean your money-maker now makes a difference in your skin's health and looks, even years later.

Safety razors are a great way to get a cheaper, less irritating shave. But unlike cartridge razors, there are a ton of different blades out there, and which one you like best will depend on your razor and your skin. Try a sampler pack to find the perfect blade.