The best face sunscreens to wear this summer
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
What if there were a skincare product that slowed down the loss of collagen and elasticity, and protected against premature ageing while tackling pigmentation and uneven skin texture? If that sounds fanciful, it, in fact, exists. It’s called sunscreen – and many of us are still skipping it, despite the fact that using SPF products daily is essential for healthy skin, blocking the sun’s havoc-wreaking UVA and UVB rays. It's even more important when travelling, not just when gallivanting on the beach in Greece but also when flying – UV radiation is significantly higher at altitudes of 38,000 feet.
How to choose the right sunscreen
There was a time when finding the best SPFs was akin to a game of Russian roulette; would it be greasy and thick? Would it be uncomfortable to wear? Would it deposit an unsightly white cast, leaving you looking like an extra from a B-movie horror film set?
Yes was often the answer to all of the above. But thankfully, that isn’t the case anymore. There really are excellent suit-all options available. So, what should we know before we buy? Firstly, decide what kind of SPF you want. Mineral or physical sunscreens act as a literal sunblock, using zinc or titanium dioxide to reflect UV rays before they penetrate the skin. Some with sensitive skin might prefer them. Meanwhile, chemical sunscreens tend to be more lightweight and work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into non-damaging heat.
How much sunscreen should you apply?
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how long you can stay in the sun without getting burned while wearing sunscreen, compared with how long you can stay in the sun without sunscreen before you burn. “Protection scales with SPF, so SPF50 will let through half as much UV as SPF25,” says Wong. When it comes to SPF numbers, it is generally agreed the higher the better, with most experts recommending at least SPF30. It is also important to look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which will protect your skin against both UVA (think ‘A’ for ageing) and UVB ( think ‘B’ for burning). As for how much you should be using, Dr Adeline Kikam, dermatologist and founder of Brown Skin Derm, recommends applying half a teaspoon on your face and not forgetting your ears. For your body, it’s about a shot-glass-worth of sunscreen, reapplied every two hours
The best sunscreen to wear on your face
Every product in this edit of the best facial sunscreens is formulated with broad-spectrum protection to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. They’re all SPF 30 (which guards against 97 per cent of UVB rays) or SPF 50 (which protects around 98 per cent.) When the SPF drops below this, there is a definite decrease in protection – SPF 15 is around 93 per cent, for example, which is why most dermatologists recommend you always opt for 30 and above. You’ll need to reapply your sunscreen every few hours to keep the efficacy at this level – and a small reminder, unprotected sun exposure can result in sun spots and accelerated ageing, sure. But at the more dangerous end, there can be an increased risk of skin cancer.