Love it: Murad's new Essential-C Sun Balm

I’m off to Bali in a few weeks (I know, I keep harping on about it - indulge me) and I’ve been building quite the arsenal of beauty essentials to take with. As well as effectiveness size has been a factor when I’m choosing what to take, especially when it comes to bigger items like sunblock, oils and body lotion. Lucky there are some amazing compact little wonders out there, the latest of which I’ve discovered is Murad’s brand new Essential-C Sun Balm.

A lot of women I know use portability as the reason they don’t carry a sunscreen with them at all times (no excuse in my opinion, but oh well), so for them this has the added bonus of being about as leak-free and handbag-friendly as it gets. The perfect protector for burn-prone areas like the nose, ears, shoulders and décolleté - all of which often need a top up of sun protection - this baby from Murad is a compact hands-free, SPF 35 sunscreen-stick that is ideal for keeping on hand everywhere you go - whether it be touching up on the ski lift, replenishing after a quick dip or shielding shoulders when dining al fresco.

Part of the Environmental Shield range, it features MuraSol™ Antioxidant Defense, which is award-winning Murad’s own antioxidant shield that creates a protective barrier of free radical neutralisers. It contains a trio of Vitamins A, C and E that work together to renew skin health, providing antioxidant protection while smoothing the skin’s texture so your skin is protected and looks and feels great too.

It has interesting ingredients like Broccoli Extract in there to stimulate the skin’s natural defence against UV damage, while Tangerine Butter glides across the skin to deliciously deliver lasting hydration. It feels good, smells great and is a cinch to use - just apply liberally to exposed skin on your face, neck and chest before going out in the sun, repeating every two hours - so ladies, there is zero excuse for letting your delicate skin burn from here on in.

Murad Essential-C Sun Balm is available right now with an RRP of $54.00.