Ah, it’s that time of year again – the sun peeps out and everyone panics because they don’t have any sunscreen because it’s all gone manky from the year before and the bottle is covered in sand and the formula has separated and anyway you shouldn’t use it because it’s old and WHAT THE HELL IS A GIRL TO DO?

Three new ones for you – a clever little mist, a lightweight beauty treat and Murad’s Luminous Shield, which is the sheerest, glowiest SPF I’ve ever tried. These are sunscreens you’ll want to wear, not just tolerate wearing because you have to.

Bioderma Hydrabio anti-UV Mist

Goodness me, this is a bit of a game-changer! Finally, sun protection that can be used over the top of your makeup, without disturbing “what lies beneath”. Simply spritz on this ultra-fine mist and you’re good to go. I wouldn’t personally use it as my main SPF (for example if I was heading out for a day on the beach) because it’s difficult to tell how much you’ve applied; but as a top-up and for re-application (mist liberally, please!) it’s simply brilliant. Brilliant. Small can, fits in your handbag for those impromptu al fresco lunches and after work drinks outside the local pub – I think this will be the new summer must-have. £9 at Escentual.com here.

Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 30

I’ve also tried this in a 50, but I usually find an SPF 30 to be more than adequate for my skin in the UK. Pack me off to Greece (yes please!) and I’ll ramp it all up to an SPF 50 and add in a sun hat and a beach brolly for good measure, but here in Britain, messing about in the back garden, 30 is my pal. I prefer the feel of the 30, in Chanel’s UV Essentiel; it’s incredibly fluid and almost undetectable on the skin. Yes there are far cheaper almost-undetectable SPF fluids around (try Anthelios, £16.50 here) but this does look and feel incredibly luxe if you’re after something smart to cart about in your Anya Hindmarch Take off and Touch Down travel case. (On my wishlist at the moment. Ridiculous, but true.) UV Essential launches this week, it’s £42.

Murad Luminous Shield SPF 50

If you’re looking for a sunscreen that will not only protect the skin but help to make it look far more even-toned then this should be on your to-try list. It could actually be mistaken for an illuminating primer or base, such is the dewy glow, so there’s that too. And then there’s the fact that it’s virtually weightless on the skin, yet manages to feel fresh and hydrating, that it contains a dose of glycolic to aid cell turnover and keep the skin looking clear and bright… It’s pricey, but I think worth every penny – many would pay the same price for a day cream without SPF, so think of this as an all-in-one. I don’t actually know whether this is even new to the market – it doesn’t seem to be widely available, though I can’t even begin to fathom why! It’s £55 on the Murad website here.

Right, more SPFs to come – I do like a good testing session when the sun starts to make a proper appearance.You can browse past sunscreen posts here.