I’m An SPF Snob – This Is The £19 Product That Changed My Mind Forever

While SPF should be part of your skincare regime year-round, with the arrival of summer, and endless days spent soaking up the sun, sun protection becomes all the more prominent. With it, the question - which SPF should I buy?

As crucial as SPF may be for reducing the irreversible effects of sun damage, it's not always easy to get it right. From the dreaded white cast to the inevitable breakouts, it's safe to say I've kissed many a frog before finding my SPF-shaped prince. When I first heard of Shiseido's new sun range, I knew it would be nothing short of excellent. Already famous for the SPF sun-stick, the incredible, easy-to-apply, invisible sunscreen which received rave reviews, Shiseido has expanded its range with two products - the Expert Sun Protector Lotion, and the Expert Sun Protector Cream. Naturally, I had to get my hands on both.

A little bit about the formula, both SPFs (available in SPF30 and SPF50) are lightweight and completely invisible - a great start. Apart from protecting your skin against harmful UVA and UVBs, the formula helps create a smooth and plump complexion thanks to the special Safflower Extract, and Algae complex. Unlike most SPFs, this formula is actually strengthened by heat and water, making it a great SPF to pack on your next holiday.

After trying countless of SPFs in the past which promised to 'banish the white sheen' and 'diminish breakouts' only to instantly fall short, I thought had lost all hope. Shiseido is a brand I'd known about my whole life thanks to my mum's obsession with their age-defying and skin-loving products, so when the Expert Sun Protection Lotion landed on my desk, I immediately knew I was in good hands.

My review of the Expert Sun Protection Lotion SPF50

For my test, I used my usual moisturiser before applying a layer of Shiseido's Expert Lotion and locking everything in with a primer. My initial reaction was - no white cast! I massaged the lotion into my face and neck, and was immediately taken aback by how quickly the product absorbed into the skin. Tiny caveat, the SPF does have a somewhat grapefruit-y scent which I personally loved, but it is something to be wary of if you don't enjoy fragranced products.

I continued to apply the rest of my make-up as I usually would, and apart from being invisible to the naked eye, I also noticed no pilling, which is the case with plenty of SPFs. Using it for over a period of one week, I noticed zero breakouts, nor any change in skin texture. If anything, my skin looked plumper, smoother and - importantly - protected against sun damage.

Shop the Expert Sun Protection Lotion on John Lewis now.

Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.

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