We all know by now that face SPF is a staple in every toiletry bag - all year round - but with so many great brands available, how do you pick the perfect product for you?
SHOP: 12 of the best SPFs for all-year protection
Beauty Piewww.beautypie.com
1 of 14Bondi Sands Fragrance Free Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
Known for their flawless fake tans and high protection sunscreens, Aussie brand Bondi Sands have become a go-to for skincare. This face SPF is a bestseller and regularly sells out, so be quick. Pros: Formulated to deliver up to 72 hours of hydration, with added aloe vera and vitamin E, this SPF leaves your skin feeling moisturised and is also free from parabens and sulphates.Cons: Some customers claim the product made their eyes water, while others didn't love the shine it left on their skin.
2 of 14Ultrasun Face Anti-Ageing Lotion SPF 50+ 50ml
Ultrasun's Face Anti-Ageing Lotion SPF 50+ is a multi-purpose face lotion formulated using the very latest skincare research and advances.Pros: Ultrasun is cruelty-free and suitable for vegan customers.Cons: This product contains titanium dioxide, so it has a slight white cast on application.
3 of 14Garnier Ambre Solaire Ultra-Hydrating Shea Butter Sun Protection Cream SPF50+
Garnier sun creams are a cult classic and this product, enriched with shea butter, is a best-seller. Pros: The 50ml size is small and light, making it perfect for carrying in airport hand luggage.Cons: While the packaging's recycling symbol shows that a financial contribution has been made towards the recovery and recycling of packaging, it doesn't mean the bottle is recyclable, so your local authority might not recycle it. However, check out recycling schemes at John Lewis and Boots for hard to recycle beauty products.
4 of 14La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid Sun Cream SPF50 50ml
Specially formulated for sensitive skin, this SPF is resistant to water, sweat and sand. Pros: This product has great reviews. One customer said, "Being mixed race, I've struggled to find a sunscreen that doesn't leave a white cast & have spent HUNDREDS of pounds trying to find one that works for me. I bought this on a whim after seeing it pop on on a couple of blogs & I am so glad I did." Another said, "It is a great suncream for face, it's light and goes on smoothly."Cons: The formula is runny and can leave an oily finish.
5 of 14SUPERGOOP! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30 travel suncream 15ml
SUPERGOOP! Unseen Sunscreen is Instagram's favourite new kid on the block.Pros: Fans claim this sunscreen is perfect underneath makeup and gives skin that glossy, gleamy vibe. Cons: At £15 for 15ml, this product is pricey for its small size. But what this lotion lacks in size, it more than makes up for in protection.
6 of 14Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti Dark Spots & Anti Pollution Face Fluid SPF50+ 40ml
This 'game-changer' SPF offers very high SPF protection to help prevent sun induced dark spots and also contains vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, to nourish skin. Pros: All Garnier products globally are officially approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Programme. Cons: This isn't water-resistant, so you will need to re-apply more often.
7 of 14COOLA Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50( 50ml )
Committed to using the purest, performance-driven ingredients, of which 70% of which are organic, COOLA sunscreens offer broad-spectrum protection while nourishing skin.Pros: COOLA's tubes are made of sustainably sourced sugar-cane resin, which is 100% recyclable. Cons: This product isn't fragrance-free, however, one customer noted, 'The smell is lovely but subtle.'
8 of 14Caudalie Vinosun Very High Protection Lightweight Cream SPF50+
If you want an ultra-light, invisible texture that sinks into the skin without leaving a white cast or a greasy feel this sunscreen is the one for you. Whilst defending the skin from UVA/UVB rays it also protects against harsh environmental aggressors. Pros: This sunscreen is lightweight and very easy to apply. It's known to work well under makeup, doesn’t run or look greasy. Cons: Some customers claim the product doesn't have a pleasant scent.
9 of 14Q&A Niacinamide Balancing Daily Sunscreen SPF50
Having niacinamide in your suncream can be extremely effective. Designed to balance, moisturise, and protect the skin all in one, this suncsreen is great for every day use. Pros: Because of the aloe vera ingredient, the sunscreen is calming and ultra-hydrating. It’s like having a serum and sunscreen in one. It's vegan and perfect for sensitive skin. Cons: Some say it takes the skin a few uses to get comfortable with. Customers who prefer a scented sunscreen stated they would prefer something with a stronger scent.
£15
10 of 14No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Facial Suncare SPF15 50ml
This hypo-allergenic lotion is highly recommended by customers and is a best-seller at Boots.Pros: This product has 5 Star UVA protection and contains a patented anti- oxidant complex, giving your skin advanced protection against the ageing effects of the sun.Cons: SPF15 offers low protection against the sun, and therefore isn't recommended for paler skin tones.
11 of 14Paula’s Choice Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
For all skin types as well as very sensitive and for people who suffer with redness and rosacea-prone skin. This mineral-based, calming sunscreen protects against the sensitising effects of UV damage and prevents premature ageing. The gentle non-greasy gel cream also keeps skin hydrated all day with a glowing complexion. Pros: It’s lightweight, non-greasy and leaves a soft, satin finish. Cons: Customers have only said they wish it was a higher SPF.
12 of 14ULTRA VIOLETTE QUEEN SCREEN LUMINISING SUN SERUM SPF 50+
Formulated to prevent pilling and any white cast, this silky serum also features an uplifting scent of fresh roses.Pros: This serum is a top seller on Space NK and has rave reviews and ALSO provides a vitamin C boost. We love to see it. Cons: Ultra Violette products currently cannot be shipped to the USA.
13 of 14glow hub DEFEND YOURSELF SPF
Gen Z fave glow hub have nailed cruelty free and vegan skincare and have officially completed your routine with this new SPF. Pros: They're called glow hub for a reason, as your skin will GLOW after using this SPF, with hardly any white cast at all. It's lightweight and glides onto your skin like a moisturiser - not greasy in the slightest. Oh, and the packaging is oh so cute. Cons: The only downside is that it doesn't come in factor 50 yet, fingers crossed for the future.
14 of 14I am proud Serious Shade - SPF 50+ Sunscreen
An ultra-lightweight, super silky and intensely hydrating SPF for your face. Prep your skin for a flawless makeup application or wear on its own. Pros: The bottle is very slim, making for the perfect travel size. It comes with zero white cast, flashback or pilling and consistency is thin. Cons: Some customers say as you get to the end of the bottle the cream is harder to extract.
We spoke to Consultant dermatologist for Stratum Dermatology Clinics, Dr Adam Friedmann, about choosing the right SPF.
"SPF is the most important product in any skincare regime. The absolute minimum factor for white skin should be SPF30. Darker skin tones can sometimes get away with lower SPF levels which might vary depending on how dark the skin is," he tells heat. "If in doubt, opt for a SPF50 so that your sunscreen is still giving a good level of protection as it fades."
But it's not just the factor to look out for. Dr Adam says we should use products with a higher number of stars of "UVA" protection, to give better levels of defence.
He explains, "While UVA rays have less energy and don’t burn the skin, they do cause the skin to age and contribute to the development of melanoma and other skin cancers."
But how much SPF should we use - and do we need to re-apply?
Dr Adam says we should apply over half a teaspoon of SPF sunscreen to the face, neck and backs of ears, even on top of SPF moisturiser.
He explains, "SPF moisturisers are useful for short bursts of sun exposure but not suitable for longer stints outside as they may not give sufficient protection. This is because they are applied in a much thinner layer meaning that the SPF level may not be what is promoted on the bottle."
He adds, "If you're wearing make-up and generally keeping out of the sun, then it might not always be practical to top up your SPF - that’s where an 8-hour SPF may be a preferred option.
"However, a once-a-day SPF will not survive a day of swimming, towel drying and sweating in the heat, so if you’re heading to the beach or out for the day, then reapplying an SPF to the face every two hours is essential."
Not only does SPF keep us safe, but it helps skin remain youthful.
Dr Adam says, "Wearing a high SPF sunscreen also protects from the photoaging effects of ultraviolet B (UVB)."
So basically, if your #shelfie doesn't include a hero SPF, then you're not fooling anyone with your 50 step skincare routine.
And as tempting as it may be to work on your tan this summer, it's not worth turning a blind eye to the skin cancer risk - according to Cancer Research UK, some 402 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the UK every day.
Key signs of skin cancer on the face include new or changing moles, new lesions that continue to grow and bleeding or non-healing areas.
Dr Adam says, "Monitor the face and the rest of the body for moles that change in size, colour or shape. Be aware of itching, bleeding, or crusting of moles too, which are all signs you need to book an appointment to get it checked by a consultant dermatologist."
Visit stratumclinics.com to find your local dermatology clinic offering skin cancer and mole check services.