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

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

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: