These are the best face SPFs that we use every day
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Did you remember to put on your SPF today? For years, the biggest barrier to making sunscreen a daily habit was the formulas themselves. They were thick, chalky, pore-clogging, and tricky to wear under makeup – many SPFs felt more like a punishment than a skincare step. But brands did their due diligence and invested in new formulation ingredients and technology to create a next generation of sunscreens that are a joy to use. Think weightless serums that sink in with no trace, and creams that feel like gels, leaving the skin velvety matte, rather than greasy. So now there really is no excuse to not protect your skin daily from harmful UV rays that both age the skin and can cause cancer.
The NHS guidance on sun safety is clear: when the UV level goes above 3 out of 10 – which it tends to from April to October (you can check on most weather apps) – you should protect your skin with SPF. But a troubling counter-narrative is gathering traction on social media, with some wellness influencers (many of whom have no medical or dermatological qualifications) discouraging SPF use, citing everything from fears about vitamin D deficiency to ‘toxic’ ingredients to the wild theory that eating too many seed oils is causing rising skin cancer rates rather than sun exposure.
However, we’ll stick with data-backed advice from actual experts. Consultant dermatologist and dermatological surgeon Dr Emma Craythorne says: “UV rays are the leading cause of most signs of ageing and therefore warrant SPF protection on a daily basis. SPFs contain active ingredients that prevent the harmful UV from reaching your skin. Remember it’s always easier – and cheaper – to prevent signs of ageing by using SPF rather than reversing them.”
And when it comes to applying the correct amount, it’s always more than you think. The easiest rule to remember is that you should use two finger-lengths’ worth (use your two longest fingers to measure it out) for your face, neck and ears. And remember to reapply regularly.
If you’re on the hunt for the best face SPF to keep you protected every day, here are the ones we’ve tried, tested and recommend.
Our pick of the best face SPFs
Best face SPF for wearing under makeup:
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+, £49
Japanese skincare brand, Tatcha are known for creating products with the most sublime textures, so, of course, their new fragrance-free SPF sits like a second skin under makeup. It contains buzzy skincare ingredient, ectoin, that helps repair skin cells to make them act younger and has the highest sun protection out there. The consistency is not too runny and comes with a handy pump applicator that dispenses a good dose (I need one and half pumps for my face and neck). It sinks in beautifully and leaves skin with a modern velvety finish.
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Best lightweight face SPF:
Belif Super Drops Hydrating Sun Serum SPF 50+
Korean skincare brand Belif are known for creating high-performance products at an affordable price point, and this is their brand new SPF. As perhaps expected from a Korean brand, it has super high sun protection credentials and a gorgeous, lightweight, hydrating formula that makes you forget you’ve applied sunscreen. It also comes with a handy narrow nozzle applicator, which makes measuring out two fingers full an absolute cinch, but make sure you give it a good shake first so it’s not too watery on first squeeze.
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Best organic face SPF:
Evolve Organic Beauty Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF 30, £29
Organic SPFs haven’t always had the best reputation, but this one from organic beauty experts, Evolve, stands out as best in class. It is lightweight, feels hydrating and sinks in without any stickiness or chalky residue left on the skin. It contains prickly pear extract to soothe any irritation as well as plant stem cells that get to work on repairing pre-existing sun damage, as well as broad-spectrum protection to prevent future damage.
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Best one-and-done face SPF:
Necessary Good Protected & Hydrated SPF 50, £29
Designed with busy women in mind, this is the SPF that doesn’t feel like you’re using an SPF, thanks to its silky smooth texture and the fact that it sinks in quickly with no fuss. As well as the broad-spectrum SPF, it contains niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier and minimise the appearance of pores, plus antioxidants to protect against pollution and blue-light from screens. The formulation is really hydrating, so this can most definitely take the place of your usual day cream, combining two steps in one and saving you time and money. It utilises a clever inner bag packaging that ensures every drop is pumped out and you absolutely get your money’s worth.
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Best face SPF for luminosity:
Dr Althea Aqua Glowing Sunscreen SPF 50+, £20.50
Dr Althea is a great, affordable skincare brand that has made its way to our shores from Korea. There are a few variations of the SPF, but this glow-inducing version leaves the most gorgeous finish on the skin, which makes it very appealing to wear every day under makeup. It has a lovely light gel-cream texture that is easy to apply, and it sinks in super quickly. Make sure you give it a good shake before applying to ensure all the elements have mixed together perfectly.
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Best face SPF for sensitive skin:
CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50, £17.90
Containing CeraVe’s unique blend of ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier, ingredients that help protect the skin from pollution and a broad spectrum SPF 50, this is a great daily SPF for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It has a light, watery, non-comedogenic formula that sinks in beautifully without leaving a white cast. Like all CeraVe products, this is great skincare with no fuss or frills and at a great price point.
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Best 'non-toxic' face SPF:
Skin Diary Age Defence SPF 50, £92
The science and research that has gone into this SPF is, quite simply, outstanding (and qualifies the price tag). Created by Professor Chris Griffiths OBE (he was awarded the honour for his services to dermatology), and is known for creating some of Boots No7’s best-selling anti-ageing products, this is an SPF that goes beyond ‘just’ protecting the skin from UV damage. But let’s start with the SPF. For anyone who worries about sunscreen filters being toxic, this is the SPF for you, as in this formulation, they don’t penetrate the skin. The filters sit comfortably on the surface, forming a protective barrier and delivers the highest SPF 50 protection possible. But it’s perhaps what’s happening underneath that’s the most exciting. The formula uniquely contains very clever DNA repair enzymes that actively prevent new skin damage. And that’s not just hyperbole; the SPF has undergone the most rigorous clinical testing, and the results proved that it categorically prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin and reduces all UV-induced inflammation.
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Best face SPF for dewiness:
The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30, £15
Combine the epic hydration capabilities of polyglutamic acid (which holds on to more moisture than even hyaluronic acid) plus squalane and glycerin with spectrum SPF30, and you get this great value of two products in one package. The finish is dewy, leaving a natural-looking sheen. It’s unscented and a great base for makeup.
Buy NowBest face SPF for all skin tones:
Supergoop! Every. Single. Face. SPR-Shield Watery Lotion SPF 50, £30
You might expect this to be very fluid in consistency considering it’s called a watery lotion but it actually starts out as a creamy lotion that melts into a lovely watery serum as you massage it in. It completely disappears so is great for all skin tones. It’s water-resistant and feels super comfortable, leaving a gorgeous velvety matte finish which oilier skin types will definitely appreciate. But works for every face, as the name suggests.
Buy NowBest face SPF for tween and teen skin:
Byoma Moisturizing Gel-Cream SPF 30, £14.99
Knowing what the best skincare for teenagers to use can seem overwhelming, especially as there are so many brands targeting them. But if there was one product you want them to use daily, it’s a great face SPF. This one from teen-friendly brand, Byoma, is a great option. Not only will the packaging have shelfie appeal to them, but it has a lightweight gel consistency so won’t feel heavy and isn’t greasy on the skin. It contains ceramides to strengthen as well as lots of hydrating ingredients and it won’t clog pores or leave any white cast or residue.
Buy NowBest pore-minimizing face SPF:
Dermalogica Porescreen SPF 40, £55
This non-ashy mineral SPF is not only invisible on every skin tone but it contains blurring pigments that create that slight filtered effect on the skin to make it look more radiant. It protects against UVA, UVB and blue light and includes niacinamide to help minimise oil, and green microalgae and vitamin E to moisturise and soften the skin.
Buy NowBest budget SPF:
Bondi Sands Daily Moisturising SPF 50+, £7
The whole GTG team rave about this SPF. It feels hydrating but blends in seamlessly. It is fragrance-free (which more sensitive skins will appreciate) and water-resistant, making it a great choice whatever your skin type, skin tone and whatever you’re up to.
Buy NowBest face SPF for dark spots:
Lancaster Illuminating Cream SPF 50, £40
If there’s one brand you can rely on for brilliant protective SPF it’s Lancaster. Born in the French Riveria it is a brand that focuses purely on protecting skin in the sun. This light cream contains all the SPF protection you will need alongside blue light protection, antioxidants to protect the skin from future damage and the signature Lancaster scent. The formula is also reef-safe.
Buy NowBest face SPF for glow:
This has a subtle tint that blends into all skin tones and a velvety, primer-like consistency, which creates a soft filter effect over the skin. It does have a slightly lower SPF factor, so it’s definitely more suited for a day where it’s not super sunny, or you know you’re going to be inside a lot, but it leaves your skin looking flawless.
Buy NowBest face SPF for dry skin:
Saltee Daily Protection Formula SPF 50, £32
A favourite of Oprah’s, this pump SPF has a lovely, slightly richer texture that drier skins will appreciate as well as containing hydrating cucumber extract and birch water. The formula is reef-safe and doesn’t leave any white cast. If it’s good enough for Oprah then…
Buy NowBest face SPF for all skin types:
Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50, £31
With a buttery texture that sinks into the skin leaving no sign of residue or grease you know you’re putting your skin into safe hands with a product created by dermatologist, Dr Sam Bunting. It’s fragrance -free and suits all skin types and tones.
Buy NowBest face SPF with cult status:
Biore UV Watery Essence Aqua Rich SPF 50, £15.99
One of these SPFs is sold every 15 seconds in Japan, that’s how good it is. It manages to strike the perfect balance of being so lightweight you can’t feel it on your skin, with also packing a serious hydration hit and of course, really good SPF protection too.
Buy NowBest face SPF serum:
Hello Sunday The One’s That A Serum SPF 50, £23
With its pipette applicator, you can be forgiven for treating this SPF as your regular face serum. It contains all the ingredients you could want from your serum – brightening vitamin C and hydrating hyaluronic acid – but happens to also have amazing broad-spectrum SPF protection. It leaves all skin tones (and we really do mean that) with a gorgeous glow, so much so that if you’re having a good skin day, this may be all you need to put on.
Buy NowBest face SPF for spot-prone skin:
Ultra Violette Clean Screen Fragrance-Free SPF 30, £32
Sunscreen and skin prone to spots can be tricky relationships to get right. Many face SPFS clog pores, leading to more oil production and spots popping up. However, this one won’t do any of that. That is thanks, in part, to its gel texture, which isn’t heavy and sinks into the skin rather than laying on top. It is also fragrance-free, making it a great choice for sensitive and reactive skin.
Buy NowBest face SPF for sport:
Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Fluid SPF 50+, £13
Whether it’s an outdoor run, a hilly hike or al fresco yoga sessions in the park – one thing is for certain, SPF + sweat can often results in very stingy eyes. Not so with this one. Its been developed with sensitive skin and sensitive eyes in mind which means you can put in 110 per cent effort with zero worry. It has a light, milky-serum-type texture and the formula has hyaluronic acid, which hydrates your skin, as well as vitamin E that’s an all-round great ingredient for protecting your skin.
Buy NowBest face SPF for reactive skin:
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Facial Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 30, £20
We’re huge fans of La Roche-Posay and their iconic broad-spectrum high-factor sun cream is ideal if you’re looking for an extra layer of defence against environmental aggressors. Super light and without leaving a white film, it sinks into the skin quickly, leaving makeup unscathed throughout the day. As a bonus, it also has a lovely subtle summer holiday scent which makes application even more of a treat in the mornings. It is formulated with the most sensitive and reactive skins in mind.
Buy NowBest face SPF for a matte finish:
Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Face Dry Touch SPF 30, £19.50
While this broad spectrum chemical sun cream is specifically formulated to help meet the needs of those with oily to combination skin, you’d be hard pushed to find a person who wouldn’t appreciate its lightweight, dry-touch texture. Offering all the high-performing benefits of a super SPF but with a soft, dry, no-shine and water-resistant finish, it also smells dreamy too. (Added note – if you’re looking to wear makeup on top, give this cream roughly 10 minutes to soak into the skin properly first – otherwise it could affect the texture of your foundation).
Buy NowBest face SPF for mature skin:
Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Hydrating Shield SPF 50, £61
This mineral SPF has a trio of powers, safeguarding the skin against UV rays, pollution and visible signs of ageing. It creates a barrier (or shield) to help stop pollution from penetrating and damaging the skin, plus it gives a universal tint to make skin look radiant.
Buy NowBest face SPF for combination skin:
Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50, £39
A great pick for oily skin types in particular, this lightweight broad spectrum chemical SPF leaves the shine-prone hydrated and protected in equal measure. Loved by beauty oracle Sali Hughes, this provides a soft matte finish and absorbs quickly for a smooth finish, plus the inclusion of plant-based antioxidants in its formula helps provide an effective line of defence against other sources of environmental damage too.
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