Charlize Theron would want SPF, moisturiser and lip balm on a desert island, and so would we

We couldn't help but wonder: What are our beauty team's desert island picks?

A selection of our beauty team's 'desert island' essentials from brands including Curél, Elizabeth Arden, Beauty Pie, Kate Somerville, La Roche-Posay and Tropic/ on a cream and peach gradient template
(Image credit: (L to R) Curél/ Elizabeth Arden/Beauty Pie/ Kate Somerville/ La Roche-Posay and Tropic)

While we hope to avoid getting stranded on a desert island, it never hurts to be prepared. Thanks to Charlize Theron, our beauty team has had a long, hard think about the essentials we would want to bring.

This all comes after the actor revealed in an interview with Elle that an "SPF, a really good moisturiser, and good lip balm," are the three products she would most likely want if she found herself in such a predicament. Frankly, we couldn't agree more. Though we'd miss our signature scents and go-to foundations, our best face moisturisers, sunscreens and lip balms are already the three products we consistently reach for day-to-day. So, of course, we'd want them with us - especially in the heat.

The real question is, which out of our many, many best facial sunscreens, moisturisers and lip balms would we want with us? After studying our beauty stashes, these were the eight definitive formulas we couldn't do without...

The SPFs, creams and lip balms we would take to a desert island

When asked what her desert island beauty products would be, Charlize Theron responded: "SPF, a really good moisturiser, and good lip balm. Those are probably the things that you would actually need on an island. I'd love an eyelash curler, but who's really going to care about that, right?"

Alas, the actor didn't name the exact product names or brands she would take, so we took this as the opportunity to share our own - in case you happen to be in the market for hydrating and hard-working formulas.

Aleesha's essential moisturiser, lip balm & SPF

Sennen's essential moisturiser, lip balm & SPF

Fiona's essential moisturiser, lip balm & SPF

Naomi's essential moisturiser, lip balm & SPF

Naomi Jamieson
Digital Beauty Writer

Naomi is a Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she covers everything from makeup to skincare but specialises, particularly, in fragrance and nail trends. Through her work, Naomi shares her trend expertise and personal product recommendations. She is also a judge for woman&home's annual hair, skincare and beauty awards.

Previously, she worked as a Lifestyle News Writer for My Imperfect Life magazine, where she used her savvy for TikTok to bring readers the latest beauty buzzwords, fashion movements and must-have products.

Before that, Naomi split her time between both GoodTo and My Imperfect Life, whilst training for her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ, for which she earned a Distinction. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied Illustration at Plymouth University but leapt into the media world in 2020, to pursue her passion for writing. Now, when she isn’t reporting on the best perfumes and latest beauty releases, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee and probably online shopping...