You don’t need us to tell you to apply an SPF every day. But we can help with the best one for you. We raided Boots shelves to find the standout face sunscreens, for every skin type, lifestyle and budget
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If you find yourself lingering in the Boots SPF aisle this summer, perusing the countless sun care brands, wondering which is The One, we hear you. Decisions, decisions. It sounds obvious but the most important thing is to pick one you’ll actually want to wear every day, in order to prevent premature ageing, reduce your risk of skin cancer and preserve the overall health of your skin.
That’s where our Get The Gloss Team Tries challenge can help. Four of our staffers, all with different skin concerns, put a whole host of face SPFs to the test to find their perfect matches – and yours too. And we are picky: Isla can’t go anywhere near anything that’ll clog her pores, Victoria needs one that won’t leave her dry skin feeling even tighter, Dami demands zero white cast, and SJ has zero tolerance for anything that pills under makeup or gets in her eyes on a sweaty run.
And where better to start our search for the perfect SPF than the vast offering at Boots, where every budget, skin type and lifestyle factor is considered. After weeks of testing (including during a handily timed heatwave), we’re pleased to present the eight face SPFs that we really rate – and we’re confident you will love them too.
8 of the best Boots SPFs for face
VICTORIA WOODHALL, editorial director
'Maximum hydration for me please'
High-protection Korean magic
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++, £16 (£3.95 shipping fee)
“When lightweight, calming Korean skincare does high-protection sun care, it’s pretty much perfection for every skin type. If you have dry or mature and sensitive skin like mine, this hydrating serum formula keeps you comfy and shielded all day without shine, grease or pilling. As a chemical filter, it stays sheer with no whiteness and absorbs fast without greasiness or shine. I’m confident that oily skins and darker tones would also love this well-priced number. The pump nozzle dispenses cleanly with no overspill. NB: although it says ‘water-fit’, it’s not water resistant.”
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The thirst-quencher
Avène Hydrance SPF 30 Hydrating Cream £22.50 (£3.95 shipping fee)
“This is a hardworking thirst-quencher for dry skin. I’d recommend it if you’re stuck in moisture-sapping aircon, if you’re dehydrated or have any other dry or sensitive skin issues. With aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, it’s more watery than the SKIN1004 above, although equally fast absorbing and cast-free. The broad-spectrum SPF 30 has added blue light protection, making this a brilliant everyday cream for incidental sun exposure. It has a pleasant and very mild scent, should you like something a bit more sensory.”
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SJ CORFIELD-SMITH, beauty director
'I don't do shine'
Marvellous under makeup
L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal Daily Fluid Tinted Glow SPF 50, £21.99 (£3.95 shipping fee)
“As someone with oily-combination skin who loves wearing a lot of cream makeup (to create a dewy finish), I find many SPFs can’t take the pressure of having balmy textures being buffed in on top. They often pill – very frustrating. This one, however, was a dream under makeup and didn’t budge an inch. Plus, it contains bronze or pearl pigments (there is also an untinted version) that deliver instant luminosity, adding even more glow to my look or giving my skin some oomph on no makeup days. It contains niacinamide, which helps fade existing pigmentation and keeps my skin shine-free. It’s also a bit of a bargain.”
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Takes sweaty workouts in its stride
Ultra Violette Vibrant Screen SPF 50, £32
“If you’re a sweaty Betty, like me, this is a game-changer as it has been formulated with sticky conditions in mind, whether that’s a stifling commuter train or an intense workout. And it genuinely delivers. I love runs in the sunshine, and this didn’t sting my eyes or leave chalky white streaks trickling down my face. It has a watery texture that feels refreshingly cool when applied and even more delightful when reapplied after a post-run shower. And the light texture sinks in instantly. This makes it ideal for mornings when you’re in a hurry. Just 1.5 pumps covered my face and neck o while it’s a bit more expensive, it will last a while.”
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Isla Huffadine, content coordinator
'I want to avoid breakouts'
The spotty skin saviour
Laneige Water Bank UV Barrier Sunscreen SPF 50+, £25 (£3.95 shipping fee)
“Do you have oily skin or find most SPFs leave you feeling greasy and congested? Me too, but there is hope, I promise. And it comes in the shape of this wonder from Laneige. This formula is a far cry from the thick, heavy sun creams that often lead to breakouts. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing and free of any white cast. Fans of the brand’s Water Bank skincare range will love the familar gel-like texture, which still offers decent grip, making it a great base under makeup.”
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When skincare meets sunscreen
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++, £28
“This lightweight serum sunscreen is a perfect example of a skincare SPF hybrid. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients and is hydrating enough to double up as your moisturiser. It’s fragrance-free, comfortable to wear, and, if you also have oily skin and prone to looking shiny, creates a velvety-matte finish. So there’s no need to worry about looking like a disco ball halfway through the day! The squeezy tube makes it easy to use every last drop, and as someone on a budget, I appreciate that it’s more affordable than many competitors while still delivering really good SPF 50 protection.”
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Dami Abajingin, affiliate partnerships director
'Give me glow – but not white cast'
A city skin must-have
Lancaster Sun Perfect AIR Daily Invisible Fluid SPF50 Glow Booster, £37
“Lancaster is a heritage sunscreen brand from the South of France that really knows how to make sun protection a pleasure to use. The most important quality I look for is that it leaves no white cast: this sank in quickly and effortlessly. Not only that, but it gave my skin an instant, gorgeous glow. On a good skin day, this is all the makeup you need. I also have to talk about the texture. It’s so light, it feels like your skin can breathe, making it ideal for my hot city commutes. It also contains antioxidants that protect against urban pollution. It has become an instant mainstay in my handbag.”
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Featherlight and hydrating
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF 50, £27
“You could be forgiven for assuming this is a serum first and a sunscreen second, but it is in fact both of those things equally. It contains proven skincare ingredients niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Then there’s the air-like texture (hence the name), which makes it a joy to apply. It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything on your skin and it leaves absolutely zero white residue. The only reason it wasn’t my top pick is because the Lancaster gave that instant glow that I can’t resist. But if a traceless SPF is what you’re after, you will be thoroughly impressed with this.”
SHOPThe best of the rest: Boots SPF
To shop more Boots SPFs, head in-store or to boots.com
