Hello sunshine. Goodbye sunscreen worries. Let’s help find the right one for you
Depending on our skin type, we’re all very particular (rightfully so) about selecting the right lotions and potions we put on our faces. So isn’t it a little bizarre that we just assume one size fits all when it comes to our sunscreen?
Which sunscreen should I use?
Sunscreen helps to filter out the sun’s harmful UV radiation. Come rain or shine, 365 days a year, sunscreen should be a regular part of your daily routine. Often though, for those with problem skin, sunscreen can cause irritation, leaving them with a tricky choice to make. Whether to apply sunscreen and wait for the breakouts to appear, or ditch it altogether and risk causing permanent sun damage? The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way. We’ve picked our top sunscreen recommendations suitable for a range of different skin types. So whatever your skin needs, you can stay safe in the sun.
Sensitive skin
We all deserve to enjoy the sun – sensitive skin or not. Whether you’re prone to burning as soon as the sun hits your skin, you’re hyper-sensitive to chemicals or you struggle with prickly heat, finding a sunscreen that works for your skin can be tricky. La Roche-Posey Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50 50ML is specially formulated for sensitive skin with its new and exclusive MEXORYL400 filter that protects against UV induced damage – it’s even anti-eye stinging (though this doesn’t mean you should get it in your eyes). Ultra-resistant against water, sweat and sand, it’s the holy grail of sunscreen.
It's time to wave goodbye to irritated skin as you fly off into the sunset with Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ for Face – Fragrance Free 75ml. With a splash of Aloe Vera and a drop of vitamin E, this sunscreen is perfect for a hydrated, gentle and invisible look so you can get that sun-soaked skin the Bondi Sands way.
Tested for the most intense conditions such as high altitude, humidity and tropical climates, Avène Intense Protect 50+ Sun Cream for Very Sensitive Skin 150ml contains the first organic sun filter, Triasorb, which absorbs and reflects blue light to protect the most vulnerable skin from the sun. We think a stress-free sunbathing sesh is on the cards!
Acne-prone skin
We get it, nobody likes an unwelcome pimple - but that’s definitely no excuse to skip the sunscreen stage of your skincare routine. Eucerin Sun Oil Control Face Protection Sun Cream for Oily & Blemish Prone Skin SPF 50+, 50ml is the perfect everyday facial moisturiser that gives your skin a long-lasting anti-shine look for up to eight hours. Infused with Glycyrrhetinic Acid to support your skin’s cell repair mechanism, this non-greasy, non-perfumed formula will leave skin smooth and hydrated whilst protecting you against harmful rays – it’s a win-win!
For sunscreen that’s so good you won’t even realise you’re wearing it, try The Inkey List SPF 30 Daily Sunscreen and ACNECIDE Daily Moisturiser SPF30 50ml. Developed with acne-prone skin in mind, enjoy clog-free pores and reduce oily skin with these lightweight formulas enriched with non-irritating properties. Nobody wants UV rays to play havoc with their acne, so slap that sunscreen on!
Oily skin
The last thing you want during the summer months is an even shinier face than the humidity provides. Banishing the myths that sunscreens leave your skin feeling extra oily and greasy is Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA++++ 30ml. This refreshingly lightweight, non-comedogenic sunscreen gives your skin a smooth and shine-free appearance and defends oily skin from damaging UV rays. Oh, and it minimises the appearance of pores, too!
For immediate and effective sun protection, NIVEA SUN UV Face Suncream SPF 50 Shine Control 50ml is a must for your skincare routine. With UVA and UVB protection, a magic mattifying effect, excess oil absorption and no sticky residue, this is the answer to your prayers.
If you’re looking for the ultimate skin protector with an iconic summer scent, say aloha to shine-free, sun-kissed skin with Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Care Protective Face Lotion SPF30 90ml. Combating shine all day long, this ultra-light and comfortable texture provides SPF 30 protection whilst soothing the skin. You’ll be obsessed!
Dry skin
You can never have too much hydration – said everyone with dry skin. The last thing you need is a sunscreen that plays havoc with your skin - what you really need is one that can give you balanced, flake-free, super-hydrated and nourished skin. If you feel your only sunscreen options are either chalky and powdery, or greasy and slippery - fear not. We have a solution. With no colourants, perfume or sticky residue, Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dryness Protection Cream SPF50+ 50ml works wonders with its light texture and hydrates skin for up to 24 hours.
For smooth skin all year round, a sunscreen with hydrating ingredients is your best bet, such as Bondi Sands Sunny Daze SPF 50 Moisturiser 50g or Eucerin Sun Anti-Ageing Sun Cream for Face with Hyaluronic Acid SPF 30. Enriched with vitamin E, zinc oxide and hibiscus sabdariffa fruit extract, Bondi Sands will soak into your skin, keeping it perfectly plump and protected. Eucerin Sun reduces the signs of ageing with its intense moisturising properties – aka your new best friend.
Dark spots
Find yourself dreaming of even skin? As we prepare to bare our natural beauty this summer, it’s time to address those not-so-welcome dark spots. Dark spots can be triggered by hormones, sun damage, heat and inflammation of the skin, often caused by acne. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel in the form of Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face & Body Lotion SPF50+ 150ml. With your skin fighting against water, sweat and heat, the effectiveness of your UV protection is weakened and pigmentation is brought to the surface – not the case anymore.
Mixing up a cocktail of ingredients from Glycyrrhetinic Acid to Licochalcone A, Eucerin Sun Pigment Control Anti Dark Spot Sun Cream for Face SPF 50+, 50ml prevents sun-induced hyperpigmentation, leaving skin oh-so radiant.
With a powerful Q10 formula, NIVEA SUN UV Face Anti-Age & Anti-Pigment Sun Cream SPF50 50ml needs to be your next purchase. The result? A reduced appearance of dark spots, giving you a beautifully brightened complexion. Your hyperpigmentation doesn’t stand a chance.
If you’re worried about your skin, speak with your GP before trying any new skincare products.
