*This* is why wearing a facial SPF is the most essential part of your daily beauty routine
This article is sponsored by Eucerin, NIVEA, Avène, Olay, Bondi Sands, La Roche Posay, Kiehl's Since 1851 & Soltan
What’s the first thing you pack in your beauty bag when you’re jetting off on holiday? For many of us, it’s our trusty sun cream, ready for trips to the beach or lounging by the pool. While we’re all committed to using using sun protection for our summer hols, many people go without it in their daily lives, despite the fact that sun damage can affect us anywhere in the world.
By now, you’ve probably heard your favourite beauty gurus shouting about the importance of sun protection for your face. And it’s for good reason. The sun’s rays penetrate deeply into our skin and can damage our cells, leading to a loss in collagen and elasticity, more fine lines and pigmentation, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Wearing sun protection every day is the key to healthy-looking skin and is one of the best preventative tools against skin cancer and premature skin ageing. Thanks to lightweight formulas and added skincare benefits, applying a facial SPF can be an enjoyable step in your morning skincare routine, every day of the year.
Applying facial sun protection
You wouldn't slather a body moisturiser all over your face, right? Well, you could do, but just like your night creams and serums, facial SPFs contain soothing, hydrating and repairing ingredients that give you long-lasting sun protection whilst benefitting your skin in more ways than one.
But new facial sun creams use the soothing, hydrating and repairing ingredients found in your other skincare products to give you long-lasting sun protection, whilst benefiting your skin in more ways than one.
We'd recommend choosing a formula with SPF30 to SPF50 that gives both UVA and UVB protection. UVB rays tend to cause the most immediate damage to the upper layers of skin (such as sunburn) but can also cause longer term damage and skin cancer. UVA rays mainly penetrate more deeply into the skin, causing premature skin ageing (and skin cancer). We recommend using a teaspoon of sun cream to cover your face and neck.
Ready to add one to your routine? We’re here to help you find a formula that works for you.
For high-level protection
Try: Eucerin Sun Actinic Control MD Sun Cream for Face & Body SPF100 (£25)
• Size: 80ml
If your skin is sensitive to the sun (or certain skincare products), this will offer a high protection without causing irritation. Using a very high SPF of 100, the lightweight sun cream helps protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays, whilst also supporting the prevention of Actinic Keratosis (a pre-cancerous skin disease) and non-melanoma skin cancer. The light texture makes it really easy to reapply throughout the day.
For reducing dark spots
Try: NIVEA SUN Luminous 630 Fluid SPF50 (£10)
• Size: 40ml
It took 10 years of research for NIVEA scientists to perfect Luminous630®, their breakthrough ingredient that works to visibly reduce sun-induced dark spots. It also gives your daily dose of key skincare ingredients, as this lightweight sun fluid is also enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for a refreshing effect and smooth skin feeling.
For extra coverage
Try: Avène Very High Protection Tinted Sun Cream SPF50+ for Dry Sensitive Skin (£18)
• Size: 50ml
If you're looking for daily coverage that does more than just conceal, you’ve found it. Work this tinted sun cream into the skin for a brighter and more radiant-looking complexion that feels hydrated for up to eight hours* while protecting against UVA, UVB & HEV Blue Light.
For a natural glow
Try: Olay Regenerist Day Face Cream with SPF30 (£29.99)
• Size: 50ml
SPF can work as a great base for summer make-up, especially one that uses ingredients that give a gorgeous glow. With a blend of skin-loving niacinamide and peptides, this moisture-binding formula from Olay has SPF30 and can penetrate deep into the skin’s surface to help hydrate, renew and leave skin feeling firmer.
For extra hydration
Try: Bondi Sands Sunny Daze SPF 50 Moisturiser (£12.99)
• Size: 50g
As the weather heats up, you might decide to take a break from your 10-step beauty routine in favour of lighter layers of product that show off your natural beauty. This hybrid, mineral SPF 50 sun protection and hydrating moisturiser has a universal tint to counteract white cast for an invisible finish. Plus, it hydrates and nourishes the skin by featuring vitamin E, hibiscus sabdariffa fruit extract and zinc oxide for UVA and UVB protection.
Best face sunscreen for combination skin
Try: La Roche-Posay Anthelois UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50 (£18)
• Size: 50ml
Want an SPF that truly feels like nothing on the skin? Designed for sensitive skin, the non-greasy finish of La Roche-Posay’s Anthelois makes it perfect for daily use, both worn alone or under make-up. But it packs a powerful punch too – using their new and improved UVMune technology, it helps protect your skin against the most penetrative UV rays.^
For all weather conditions
Try: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 (£28.50)
• Size: 50ml
This light-textured face cream protects against both UVA and UVB rays while also helping your skin feel comfortable and well-balanced, especially in harsh weather conditions. Infused with Glacial Glycoprotein and Fountain Plant Extract, it provides up to 24-hour hydration and leaves skin feeling softer and smoother.
For all-in-one protection
Try: Soltan Face Protect & Moisturise SPF50+ 50ml (£5.50)
• Size: 50ml
Five-star UVA rating? Dermatologically tested? Non-greasy, moisturising and easily absorbed? This facial SPF has it all. Expertly formulated by Soltan’s suncare scientists, the formula helps to protect against short term and long term skin damage. It’s the perfect bottle to keep in your bag for on-the-go touch ups.
*Comparison of the evolution of the hydration index (IH) of the product vs untreated control after single application, 21 subjects.
^Ultra-long UVA rays [380-400nm]. UVA causes premature ageing
All prices correct at date of publication.
