SPF Is The Most Important Beauty Product You Could Use – And These Are The Best On The Market

Hydrating, nourishing and sun protecting, these sunscreens go the extra mile


by Grazia Beauty Team |
Updated on

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

Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF 50+Ultra Violette

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

CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion AM SPF50CeraVe

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

Lancaster Sun Beauty Body Milk SPF30 Lancaster
Price: £21.50 (was £28)

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

Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF50 71MLSupergoop!

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

Coco & Eve Daily Water Gel SPF50Coco & Eve

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

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

MZ Skin Expert UV Protector SPF50MZ Skin
Price: £88 (was £100)

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

Dermatica SPF50 PhotoAge Reverse UV ShieldDermatica

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

Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dryness Protection Cream SPF50+Garnier
Price: £8.65 (was £13.00)

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

Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF 50Kate Somerville
Price: £21 (was £36)

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

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 UV Serum SPF 30La Roche-Posay

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

Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturising and Priming SPF50Skingredients

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

Hello Sunday The One That's Got It All - Invisible Sun Primer: Spf 50Hello Sunday

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

Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream SPF50+Shiseido
Price: £28.80 (was £36)

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

Glow Hub Defend Yourself SPF 30Glow Hub

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

Malin + Goetz SPF30 High Protection SunscreenMalin + Goetz

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

Caudalie Vinosun Ocean Protect Very High Protection Lightweight Cream SPF 50Caudalie
Price: £25
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=3e7df617f02211af20ba9781fe3e0a60&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=WxFDFBUMHhgRR0UcRlANC1NCFk9aWFUeDxUcJlEUUlIJXgFLYFhZCUNHXBxhEwlGVQEVFGFdQx9IewxXCRtjF1gQA1VFXgleH35YVgkSRVULBlFDFXIUAFIIHTJmdVAHSVIGHFoKHwcBAwVVUgYAV1U%3D&x=v1&prdId=10238434807&barcode=A1YCVlQPAgZWAAEFAwI%3D

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 Correct and Protect SPF45Murad

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:

  1. '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.'

  2. '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.'

  3. '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.'

  4. '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).'

  5. '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.'

  6. '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”.'

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