The suncare industry has had a glow-up. Forecasted to be worth nearly $20bn by 2030, sunscreens are now the most-mentioned skincare product on #suntok (it’s a thing).A quick scroll of social media reveals that the once prosaic product has become, well, cool. Gen Z are taking to the site to show off their SPF wardrobes and share their sunscreen of the day. What, you don’t have a different sunscreen for your face, body, lips and hair? Tut, tut.
The shift in attitude is largely down to product innovation. Gone are the days of chalky, unctuous lotions. These days, those in the know reel off sunscreen sprays, gels, tints and serums as though listing their favourite fashion brands. Undetectable, good for your skin and a great make-up base is the standard order for an SPF in 2024. ‘The only way to get people to consistently apply sunscreen is to make it a step of their routine they look forward to,’ says Dr Sophie Shotter, an aesthetic doctor. ‘That’s what many modern formulations achieve.’
The Grazia Team's favourite SPFs at a glance:
Joely Walker, head of beauty: Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF50+ Hydrating Skinscreen, £34 on Cult Beauty
Verity Clark, acting beauty director: CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion AM SPF50, £16.50 on LookFantastic
Rachael Martin, beauty editor: Lancaster Sun Beauty Body Milk SPF30, £28 on Cult Beauty
Sameeha Shaik, beauty writer: Coco & Eve Daily Watergel SPF50, £18.40 on LookFantastic
Renee Washington, digital fashion and beauty assistant: Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF50, £12 on Sephora
There is a sticking point, though: application. Or lack thereof. Only 22% of people apply SPF daily. If the stark stats on rising skin cancer rates aren’t enough to have you bathing in sunscreen, then know that 80% of all signs of skin ageing are due to external aggressors. ‘If you want to have fresh, bright, firm and healthy skin, there is no substitute for a highly effective, broad spectrum daily sun cream,’ notes consultant dermatologist Justine Hextall.
In response to the news that 64% of people are put off buying SPF due to cost, a host of retailers, including Face The Future, Look Fantastic and Superdrug, have cut the VAT from selected sun care, so, there’s never been a better time to stock up. ‘Once upon a time, sunscreen was an acne or rosacea sufferer’s worst nightmare,’ admits Shotter, ‘and if you had anything other than Caucasian skin you were left with a white cast.’ Today’s sunscreens’ velvety, imperceptible textures are a far cry from the white, gloopy lotions of yesteryear.
From fading pigmentation to hydrating and mattifying, these new-gen face SPFs do so much more than protecting skin. Scroll to see tips and discover team Grazia’s curated edit of the best face SPFs for all skin types below.
Shop: The Best Face SPFs For Summer 2024
Best hydrating spf face sunscreen
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Joely Walker, Head of Beauty: ‘Daily SPF is non-negotiable and this one leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated and with a healthy-looking glow that I definitely didn’t wake up with. It’s lovely under make-up too.’
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Sits comfortably under make-up
Cons
- Can't tell when product has run out
Best spf face sunscreen for dry skin
www.feelunique.com
Verity Clark, Acting Beauty Director: ‘This all-in-one moisturiser and SPF hits the spot, every day. My skincare staples are ceramides, niacinamide and vitamin E and this delivers all three. As a mineral sunscreen it’s on the thicker side but that just encourages me to go heavy on the facial massage.’
Pros
- Moisturiser benefits
- Full of nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Too rich for oily skin
Best spf face sunscreen for tanning
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Rachael Martin, Beauty Editor: ‘This all-in-one moisturiser and SPF hits the spot, every day. My skincare staples are ceramides, niacinamide and vitamin E and this delivers all three. As a mineral sunscreen it’s on the thicker side but that just encourages me to go heavy on the facial massage.’
Pros
- Encourages and prolongs a natural tan
- Intensely hydrating
Cons
- Bulky to travel with
Best everyday spf face sunscreen
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Renee Washington Digital Fashion and Beauty Assistant: 'As someone with darker skin, finding an SPF that doesn’t leave an ashy cast is a constant battle. This is a game-changer. The gel-like formula glides on and absorbs quickly, doesn’t feel greasy and, crucially, it’s invisible.’
Pros
- Invisible formula
- Gel-like texture
Cons
- Might not work for a drier skin
Best gel spf face sunscreen
www.sephora.co.uk
Sameeha Shaik, Beauty Writer: ‘This ultra-lightweight, water-gel texture is as refreshing as it sounds. Loaded with hydrating skincare ingredients, the white-to-transparent formula glides over skin and mimics a serum but with an added protective glaze. My all-time favourite!’
Pros
- Refreshing water-gel formula
- Transparent finish
Cons
- Some reviews say the smell is quite strong
Best spf face sunscreen for sensitive skin
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Created by facial reconstructive surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides, 111skin Repair Sunscreen SPF50+, £95, is gentle enough to be used on compromised complexions. The magic touch? The brand’s proprietary NAC Y2TM helps to soothe and heal the most ravaged of skin.
Pros
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Designed to repair
Cons
- Difficult to travel with
Best spf face sunscreen for acne prone skin
www.lookfantastic.com
Lightweight, non-comedogenic, oil-free formulas are your friend. Designed to be worn under make-up or alone, there’s a hefty dose of skincare in there too – hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and cotton stem cell extract. Well, you’d expect nothing less from an SPF created by an aesthetics doctor, would you?
Pros
- Suitable acne-prone skin
- Oil-free formula
Cons
- Not many reviews
Best spf face sunscreen for dry skin
www.dermatica.co.uk
This is a turbo-charged moisturiser. Apply as you would your skincare and let vitamins C and E plus coenzyme Q10 hydrate and plump tired complexions.
Pros
- Great under make-up
- Works to protect fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- Might be tough to remove
Best affordable spf face sunscreen
www.lookfantastic.com
One of the most sophisticated SPF formulas on the high street. The gel-cream texture is best suited for normal to dry skin - it really quenches dry patches. Hurrah for brilliantly priced, excellent SPFs.
Pros
- Infused with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
- Minimises the appearance of fine lines and uneven tones
Cons
- Might be too rich for really oily skin
Best spf face sunscreen setting spray
www.garden.co.uk
A multi-tasking gem, this lightweight mattifying mist protects skin from harmful UV rays and sets make-up – a must-have summer staple.
Pros
- Leaves a soft-focus effect on the skin
- Hyaluronic boosts hydration
Cons
- Stock quite low
Best spf face sunscreen serum
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
It's ok if you're hooked on La Roche-Posay's Anthelios (we are too). Oily skin types, though, will love this gel texture. It's packed full of hydrators to keep skin happy, but doesn't overwhelm oily skin with richness, so it still feels balanced.
Pros
- Light, serum texture feels weightless
- Skin instantly hydrated
Cons
- Some reviews say finish is quite shiny
Best spf face sunscreen primer
www.boots.com
With a subtle peachy tint, this SPF delicately evens out tone and lends glow (in buckets). It's SPF50, refillable, and a more hydrating option for those with dryer skin.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Slightly tinted to colour correct
Cons
- Can't determine when product needs replenishing
Best invisible spf face sunscreen
www.boots.com
Catch this sell out sunscreen-meets-primer while you can (it has already sold out once on Cult Beauty). Aiming to make sunscreen an everyday part of your skin care routine, this make-up base not only protects against UVA and B, but also behaves well under foundation.
Pros
- Undectable on the skin
- Ideal SPF for working out
Cons
- Product needs shaking vigorously before use
Best vitamin enriched spf face sunscreen
www.johnlewis.com
The innovative idea behind Shiseido's sunscreen is UV protection that strengthens after application and when it's exposed to heat, sweat or water. Lightweight and water resistant, expect the same vitamin-enriched, effective skincare as Shiseido's mainline moisturisers.
Pros
- Great for all skin types
- Defends against pollutants
Cons
- Not many reviews
Best lightweight spf face sunscreen
glowhub.com
This SPF has a barely-there finish that leaves skin looking that little bit more 'so.' The perfect addition to your skincare routine, apply after moisturiser for effective daily protection. It's so lightweight you'll forget you're even wearing it.
Pros
- Leaves a dewy glow
- No white cast
Cons
- Only SPF 30
Best spf face sunscreen to brighten
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
This reformulated, mineral sunscreen with a lightweight gel texture is easily absorbed into skin (and doesn't leave a white cast on deep skin tones). Looking for the next generation of skincare meets SPF? You found it. It also contains niacinamide to brighten and smooth skin, and works just as well under make-up as it does on a fresh face.
Pros
- Ideal for city living
- Comfortable gel-cream formula
Cons
- Only SPF 30
Best non-greasy spf face sunscreen
Fans of Caudalie's hydrating grape based formulas will love their SPF. The invisible, non-greasy lotion is enriched with Vitamin E, and is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Milky and lightweight, it melts into the skin with real ease.
Pros
- High protection formula
- Lightweight on the skin
Cons
- Some reviews say its greasy on oily skin
Best fast absorbing spf face sunscreen
murad.co.uk
Forget everything you think you know about mineral SPFs: this one will change the game. Milky, fast absorbing and serum-like, applying such a high SPF has never felt more enjoyable.
Pros
- Great for oily and combination skin
- Environmental protection
Cons
- Slight white cast
Should I use a chemical SPF or a mineral SPF?
Chemical sunscreens are quick and easy to apply, and the clear filter they create gives invisible protection. However, chemical sunscreens aren't a good idea for particularly sensitive skin, and can irritate rosacea and melasma, so be sure to check for the coverage and formulation that will work for you.
Mineral formula sunscreens often contain contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and work by creating a protective barrier on the skin's surface. They are ideal for the face as they can be layered over your other skincare or make-up products, but have historically had a bad rap for leaving a white cast on darker skin tones.
What's the difference between UVA And UVB rays?
Here's a speedy lesson: UVA and UVB refer to the 'invisible' and 'visible' rays from the sun. The former is what ages the skin over time (think A for ageing); the latter being what causes you to burn (think B for burning). Some sunscreens only offer UVB protection, meaning you won't burn, but you're not completely protected either.
Look for something 'broad spectrum' or marked with a PA+ rating, which indicates its UVA protection. Then, there's photostability. This is what stops the product breaking down when it comes into contact with sunlight, so for maximum protection, check that your chosen product is photostable.
How often should we reapply SPF?
Once the sun is out, you need to think about relying on more than the SPF that's mixed in with your foundation. Apply a blob of sunscreen slightly larger than a 10p piece to your fingertips, rub together and dab over your make-up. Or, opt for an SPF powder (it'll also soak up any signs of oiliness). If you’re outside all day long, be sure to re-apply every 2-3 hours.
Dr Friedmann says, ‘the efficacy of any SPF is strictly two hours, and after that it must be reapplied. The SPF number represents the degree of sun protection a cream provides to the skin compared with bare skin. For instance, after SPF60 application, the skin gets the equivalent to one minute of sun exposure for every 60 minutes spent in the sun.’
Is SPF still essential if you're staying indoors?
‘UVA rays can penetrate glass, so if you’re sitting indoors all day by a sunny window or driving then you need some protection. Although UVA rays don’t cause burning, they do contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer,’ explains Dr Friedmann.
‘If you’re heading outside to enjoy the midday sun, then sun damage will start immediately. The fairer you are the more at risk you are of photo ageing and burning, and this can begin to happen in as little as a couple of minutes.’
Is the UK sun strong enough to warrant SPF?
‘The theory that the sun isn't as strong in the UK is a common misconception,’ says Dr Friedmann. ‘A lesser percentage of UV penetrates cloud, but often this is still enough to cause sun damage and burning, especially in the peak summer months.’
‘The UK has the same number of cases of skin cancer cases as Australia, but people tend not to realise this. Our population is much larger than Australia’s, thus the prevalence of skin cancer in the UK is actually lower than that in Australia (prevalence is the rate per 100,000 people).’
Dr Adam Friedmann’s top sun protection tips:
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'Wearing cotton and linen clothing offers the same protection as SPF80. The colour doesn’t make a difference as it’s the fibre doing the work of cutting out the UV.'
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'Sunscreen becomes weaker and weaker throughout the day as it rubs off via clothes or sweat, so remember to reapply. Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.'
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'Go high in the first place by opting for a SPF50 so that your sunscreen is still giving a good level of protection as it fades.'
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'If a dermatologist is out in the sun, you can bet that they'll be wearing a hat. Also, wearing a hat and shades will stop you from squinting and help prevent wrinkles around the eyes, (wrinkles are mainly caused by chronic sun damage).'
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'People often worry about Vitamin D levels and don’t apply sunscreen as a result. My advice would be that it’s not worth the risk and to take a Vitamin D supplement if this is a cause for concern.'
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'Be savvy on how to spot the signs of skin cancer. Skin cancer usually presents itself as a mole or mark on the skin and can be dismissed because people don’t notice it or don’t want to bother their GP. Be on mole watch this summer and remember our motto; “a change needs a check”.'