If your Instagram Explore page is anything like mine, you've likely been inundated with aesthetic posts of It-Girl celebrities blissfully enjoying their summer. Dua Lipa just rang in her 30s with a flurry of sun soaked bikini pics, while Kendall Jenner aptly captioned her wholesome summer recap with the word 'happiness'. Nestled among the images of perfect sunsets and garden parties, the latter gave us a reminder of the one thing we need to remember amid all the sun fun: a good SPF. Captured sunbathing in a blue bikini, matching flip flops and a straw hat, Jenner's sunscreen of choice sits pride of place, perched next to a icy glass of cucumber water. And despite what you might think a global supermodel would lace her skin with during the height of summer, Jenner's go-to is a refreshing dose of reality.
Jenner's current favourite, the Aloe Vera Spa Sunscreen Spray SPF30, is just £19.95 and available on Amazon. The continuous spray nozzle allows for easy 360º application so you get full coverage everywhere you need, plus the formula is loaded with 35% pure aloe vera gel (the highest that is provided in the industry, according to the brand). The high concentration means the spray provides an optimal level to help you soak up the true benefits of aloe, which includes firing up your immune system to encourage skin cell regeneration making it an effective moisturiser and burn reliever, all while reducing swelling and itching. Paired within a sunscreen, it makes for excellent, extra in built protection.
Jenner isn't the only one to recently reveal her go-to, unexpected sun protector. Speaking in a new Vogue Beauty Secrets video, Hailey Bieber explains, 'One of the things that breaks me out the most is sunscreen. Whenever I go to Paris or I go to Europe, I love to go to the pharmacy and like raid the sun care section because I just think the sunscreens from Europe are so much better in the US. They're my favourite.'
Bieber's current obsession is the ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water Urban SPF 30, £21.65, which she loves for its hydrating, glow-giving, milky qualities. In fact, she loves it so much she wishes she bought five. Her top tip? Don't forget to rub the excess product into your hands. 'When I have left over I rub it on my hands because when you're driving and it's sunny, I just feel like your hands get the brunt of aging.'
Jenner and Bieber clearly have a knack for sussing out great, under-the-radar SPFs that deliver on protection and comfort. Keen to learn more? Scroll through our edit of the very best celebrity-approved SPFs.
Shop: The very best celebrity-approved SPFs
A non-greasy, water-resistant for 80 minutes, broad spectrum UVA/ UVB protection SPF, which features a hands-free, continuous spray nozzle for easy 360º application.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'With an in-built additional layer of protection provided byway of aloe vera, this SPF is unlike others on the market. The hero ingredient works to fire up your immune system to encourage skin cell regeneration making it an effective moisturiser and burn reliever, all while reducing swelling and itching.'
Pros
- Continuous spray nozzle
- With 35% pure aloe vera gel
Cons
- Contains scent
This non-pore clogging SPF is ultralight and water-phased for comfortable daily use. While protecting from UV rays, it also improves signs of skin fatigue by bolstering radiance. Featuring ginger extract, shogaol and gingerol, is contributes to reduce blue light induced oxidative stress.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'When Hailey Bieber says she is "obsessed" with this, I can see why. As described by the model and beauty brand founder herself, it certainly delivers on glow and hydration with its lightweight milky finish.'
Pros
- Lightweight
- Glow-giving
Cons
- Will need to reapplied more frequently than an SPF50
Augustinus Baderaugustinusbader.com
Augustinus Bader's The Sunscreen SPF 50 launched to serious hype earlier this year and that was before it earned grid space on Dua Lipa's Instagram page. The 'Hotter Than Hell' singer clearly takes her SPF seriously. It was spotted in the background of one of her Palermo holiday snaps, paying second fiddle to an icy Campari spritz.
Annie Vischer, head of beauty, says: 'Like it or not, if you're using a face SPF that doesn't tick the joy box - that feels tacky, heavy and like a chore to apply - you're far less likely to use it as often as you should. Yes, we're talking about a hefty price tag here, but if you like to splurge on your daily face SPF then make a play for this one. It absorbs beautifully after moisturiser and delivers heavy-duty broad-spectrum sun protection. One I'd very happily wear every single day.'
Pros
- Dua Lipa approved.
- Brimming with skincare ingredients.
- Lightweight.
- Feels like a second skin.
Cons
- Expensive.
www.spacenk.com
Summer Friday's leads in the buttery lip balm and hydrating face mask categories, but there is much to be said for its sun care which made an appearance in a In the Bag Vogue video with Pamela Anderson.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'Summer Friday's is one heck of an It-Girl brand and its lure can be felt all over TikTok, but with the queen of It-Girls herself giving it her seal of approval, you know it's worth the hype. Summer Friday's ShadeDrops glides over skin to provide a protective glow that comes enriched with vitamins and antioxidants to defend skin while leaving it healthy-looking.'
Pros
- Enriched with vitamins and antioxidants
- Milky, soothing finish
Cons
- Can potentially leave a light white cast due to the inclusion of zinc oxide
www.spacenk.com
Sabrina Carpenter is so serious about this SPF she included various shots of it in her in Espresso music video. We aren't surprised by her choice. In fact, we are similarly very obsessed, so much so the sun protector was a runner up in the best face SPF category in our Grazia Summer Beauty Awards 2024.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'The best thing about this is that it can be reapplied over your make-up and all without causing any damage to all your hard work. If anything, I've found that it refreshes my skin when it's time to reapply.'
Pros
- Instant glow-giver
- Great over make-up
Cons
- Not available in SPF50
Main image: Instagram @haileybieber, @kendalljenner and @dualipa
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
