definitely with Keith on this - my skin hates sunlotions, get up early do chores stay in shade till 5pm except when in the pool.
Boat trips you definitely need cover and sunlotion. the only time i ever get burnt is snorkelling as i lose track of the surface world.
You still get colour but living here you definitely dont want to fry in the sun each day - though I have seen folks who do and are the colour of a sunday roast - then wonder why they get carcinoma.
The Sun is lovely and it is gorgeous to wake to yet another beautiful sunny day, you just learn to cope with the heat in August by giving up on housework!
The one real essential is a good quality pair of sunglasses, preferably two.