The best face sunscreens to wear this summer
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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.
BEST SPF: Glow recipe Dew Balm SPF 30 stick
Best for: brightening skin
Multi-purpose products come into their own when travelling, when space in your wash bag becomes premium real estate, and interest in undertaking a full routine is dramatically low. This solid SPF 30 stick, enriched with brightening niacinamide and hydrating hyaluronic acid, should be top of your holiday beauty edit – it offers skincare, sun protection and a healthy glow all in one. The precision tip gets into hard-to-reach spots and makes topping up areas like the bridge of your nose easier over makeup. I also appreciate the balm formula, as it’ll never be cruelly taken from me at airport security, like so many SPFs I’ve forgotten in my handbag before. That alone makes it a winner for me. Charley Ward
sculptedbyaimee.com Sun Mist - SPF 50 Spray
Best for: not ruining your make-up
For those guilty of not reapplying sunscreen enough when wearing makeup (surely all of us), this is the solution. Invisible and weightless, this sun mist delivers a cooling spray of broad spectrum SPF 50+ without dislodging your blush, base products or mascara. I used this daily on a recent trip to Bali, where an agenda of dipping in and out of pools, sweating up mountains and powering through the odd tropical downpour really put my regular SPF through its paces. I have pale, burn-prone skin and being able to top up protection so easily meant there was none of the telltale redness around my ears or nose I usually see by the end of the day. It’s taken up permanent residence in my handbag. Charley Ward
Every.Single.Face Watery Lotion SPF 50
Best for: lightweight coverage
When Supergoop founder Holly Thaggard’s friend was diagnosed with skin cancer, she resolved to learn all she could about sun damage. The result? An innovative SPF line with this water-light liquid as the hero. Defending against UV rays, blue light, pollutants and infrared radiation, it’s equally powerful against beachy rays as your laptop screen’s glow. It’s also water and sweat-resistant for 40 minutes, so you’re covered from morning workouts through to swims in the hotel pool. I have really oily skin, and the sheer formula feels comfortable and lightweight, so I can apply a good amount without fear of breakouts. Makeup layers well on top, too – it’s my new daily essential. Charley Ward
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Best for: all skin types
If you’re at all familiar with Supergoop, you’ve likely heard about Unseen Sunscreen – one of the brand’s most popular products that has rightfully earned itself a cult following. This scentless, invisible sunscreen with SPF 30 is completely weightless and works well on all skin types – it received praise from several editors with varying skin types (dry, oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin). This was the very first Supergoop product I ever tried, and it's still my favourite: It feels like a velvety smooth primer on the skin with barely any dry time needed, and it looks great underneath makeup, too. Senior commerce editor Madison Flager has been using it for about two years, and it’s still the one she always packs on beach holidays or trips where she knows she'll be at a pool, hiking, or otherwise spending a good amount of time outdoors.
Murad Correct and Protect Broad Spectrum SPF45
Best for: mineral SPF
Despite its silky formula and lack of white cast (it’s been tested on each of the six Fitzpatrick skin types), this incredible formula is astoundingly 100 per cent mineral sunscreen. It uses carotenoid technology to help reflect UV light and is a potent antioxidant to help protect the skin from discolouration. It also makes a brilliant base for make-up and is a total game-changer in the mineral SPF category.
Avène Intense Protect 50+ Sun Cream for Very Sensitive Skin
Best for: sensitive skin
They’re a staple in the sensitive skincare category, so it’s no surprise that Avene makes one of the best sensitive skin facial SPFs too. It was designed to cater to the needs of babies (from six months), children, those with very fair skin, and people with tattoos and skin sensitivities, and it has been tested under intense weather conditions, from high altitudes to tropical weather. It’s sweat and water-resistant, fragrance-free, and though it initially seems a little heavy, it really does the job – when I had severe eczema on my face, this was my lifeline.
Eucerin Actinic Control SPF100
Best for: ultra high protection
This SPF 100 blocks 99 per cent of UVB rays and offers the ultimate protection. It was designed to help prevent actinic keratosis, which are scaly patches of skin damaged by the sun that need extra protection to avoid further damage (and potential risk of skin cancer.) Despite the high SPF protection, this light fluid works well for everyday use and under makeup. It’s an ideal choice for those with very fair skin that burns easily and also works well on dark skin.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Mune 400 Oil Control Fluid
Best for: oily skin
Known as one of the leaders in sun protection and highly rated by dermatologists, this SPF range contains Mexoryl 400 – a UV filter that protects against ultra-long UVA rays. The invisible and ultra-light formula makes it ideal for oily skin types and those with acne-prone skin. It has a mattifying effect without looking flat and helps to absorb sebum too. On top of all of this, it’s also sweat-resistant – talk about overachieving.
Loreal Revitalift Clinical SF50+ Invisible Fluid
Best for: dark skin
There’s a lot to like about this SPF. It’s high protection, and there is added vitamin C to help nix free radical damage (which can cause dark spots and accelerated ageing,) plus hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid and moisturising glycerin. But the winning quality for me is the very gentle pearlised glow it gives you, and its silky, almost invisible formula. Any of the SPFs mentioned here will work for dark skin, but this one goes that step further.
The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Light Essence
Best for: combination-dry skin
One of the best all-rounders for all skin types, this SPF protects your skin with broad-spectrum SPF50 protection and a gentle moisturising effect. It‘s ultra-lightweight, sits well over an additional moisturiser, and is one of the fastest-absorbing SPFs I’ve tried. As an added boost, it has indoor and outdoor pollution protection and is great for sensitive skin. It’s a real cult classic for a very good reason.
Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick SPF50+
Ultrasun SPF50 UV Face & Scalp Mist
Best for: spraying over make-up
There’s now a huge amount of spray SPFs designed to be used over your makeup or just as a quick way to touch up your sun protection. But one of the best is by suncare experts Ultrasun, known for their long-wearing formulas. This spray mists the skin with a non-greasy and clear formula, it dries quickly and is perfect for topping up during the day, leaving your makeup intact and your skin protected. It’s a summer essential.