Dry or oily? Sensitive or mature? There’s an SPF out there for your skin type & our guide will help you find it
This article is sponsored by CeraVe, Boots, IT Cosmetics, Avène, Caudalie, Garnier, L’Oréal, No7, Shiseido & Nivea
If there’s one beauty rule to live by, it’s to wear SPF every single day – even in the winter! Why? Wearing a daily sunscreen with a minimum of SPF30 is one of the best ways to help protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
UV rays are damaging to the skin and can cause sunburn, accelerated signs of ageing and an increased risk of problems like skin cancer. Want to know more about the impact of UV? Read our easy guide to understanding sun protection.
What’s the best sunscreen for my skin type?
When it comes to sunscreen, one size doesn’t fit all. In the same way you’d choose a cleanser and moisturiser tailored to your skin type, it’s best to opt for a sunscreen with your skin in mind, too.
How to find your skin type?
If you’re not sure what your skin type is, here’s a quick guide to what to look out for:
Dry skin – often looks rough and flaky and may feel tight
Oily & blemish-prone skin – often looks shiny with blackheads, whiteheads and spots
Sensitive skin – often looks red and may have bumps or scaly patches. It can also feel tender or inflamed at times
Mature skin – often has fine lines, wrinkles and discolouration. It may also feel dry or less plump than when you were younger (though, remember, ageing is a completely natural process that should be embraced and celebrated!)
Normal skin – often looks neither dry or oily and usually feels balanced
We tell you more in our ultimate guide to every skin type.
Now we’ve cleared that up, it’s time to find an SPF that works for you…
Best for dry skin
Caring for dry skin starts with giving it the moisture it craves. Look for nourishing formulas including ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help amp up and lock in hydration.
Try: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 for Normal to Dry Skin
• Size: 52ml
• Fragrance-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Non-greasy texture
• Also suitable for normal and acne-prone skin
Developed with dermatologists, this daily lightweight facial moisturiser contains SPF 50 UVB/UVA protection, 3 essential ceramides & niacinamide. The two in one formula is clinically proven to hydrate and protect the skin's natural barrier. Plus it's fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and leaves skin feeling soothed.
I've been using this for nearly 2 years. It's a great moisturiser with the added bonus of having a SPF factor 50. Brilliant for my ageing skin and a great price.
Try: Boots SPF+ Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion SPF50
• Size: 50ml
• Vegan*
• Not tested on animals
• Recycle the tube with the cap on
• Fragrance-free
• Also suitable for sensitive skin
This lightweight lotion is formulated with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and moisturise, along with vitamin E to help protect skin against long and short-term damage. Plus, it contains that all-important broad spectrum SPF50 protection against UVA and UVB rays in an invisible-finish formula.
Very nice feel on the face and not heavy at all. Leaves skin feeling very soft.
Try: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow Skin Tint + Brightening Glow Serum SPF40
• Size: 32ml
• Suitable for all skin types
The IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation and Glow Serum is a lightweight skin tint that offers a radiant 'no-makeup makeup look'. It combines the benefits of a foundation, brightening serum and SPF40 protection in one step, while delivering a skin-like finish.
Offering up to 24 hours of hydration, the formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid for intense moisture, niacinamide to encourage a glowy, more even-toned look and green tea extract to help defend against environmental aggressors.
This has a lovely lightweight feel and pleasant smell to it. It’s easy to apply with very little blending required. It evens out my skin tone without covering my cherished freckles creating a healthy glow for a pared down everyday look that takes less than a minute.
Best for oily & blemish-prone skin
Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen doesn’t cause oily and blemish-prone skin to break out more. In fact, it’s super important for people with this skin type to wear sunscreen because the sun can make post-acne pigmentation look worse. Plus, many other oil and blemish-controlling products like retinol and exfoliants can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so a high-quality daily SPF is a must-have if you also use these in your routine.
Look for sunscreens that are labelled non-comedogenic (AKA doesn’t block pores) with mattifying or anti-blemish properties.
Try: Avène Cleanance Very High Protection SPF50+ Sun Cream for Blemish-Prone Skin
• Size: 50ml
• Non-comedogenic
• Ultra-light texture
• Non-sticky
• Water, sweat and sand-resistant
This easy-to-apply ultra-fluid sunscreen is formulated with Avène's unique UVB, UVA and Blue Light HEV sunfilter, TriAsorB™. It offers very high SPF50+ protection with an anti-blemish formula and a mattifying finish, making it perfect for those with oily, blemish-prone skin.
Lovely sunscreen. It does not make my oily skin shine. Does not leave white cast.
Best for sensitive skin
If you’ve got sensitive skin, then soothing and nourishing formulas that help care for your skin barrier are your best friend. Since sensitive skin can be irritated more easily than other types, don’t forget to do a patch test on a small area before using your new sunscreen everywhere to help avoid any potential reactions.
Try: Caudalie Vinosun Very High Protection Sun Water SPF50+
• Size: 150ml
• Innovative water and oil formulation
• Suitable for adults and children above three
Suitable for the most sensitive skin, this SPF50+ sun water effectively protects the face and body from UVA and UVB rays. The sensorial half-water, half-oil texture absorbs fast without feeling greasy and leaves a fresh summer fragrance on the skin.
Buying from Caudalie means you’re supporting their 100% Plastic Collect initiative where they recycle as much plastic waste from the ocean as they generate as a brand.** A win for you and our seas!
I wouldn't normally use an oil but because this product is 50+ I am confident about the protection and have already used half of it... It's non greasy and absorbs into the skin really well... Would definitely recommend.
Try: Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF50+ Super UV Invisible Face Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Non-sticky
• Non-greasy
• Leaves no white marks
• Vegan*
• Cruelty-free
• Bottle made of 40% recycled glass
Specially developed for the sensitive face area, this invisible serum SPF50+ sunscreen is enriched with ceramides to reinforce and provide instant skin barrier protection against UV rays and environmental aggressors like pollution. The lightweight fluid texture gives all-day comfort and becomes invisible on the skin immediately after application.
Fantastic sun cream – so easy to use and just as it states on the bottle, it’s invisible which for factor 50 is amazing.
Best for mature skin
As you get older, your skin’s needs change. Mature skin will benefit from moisturising formulas that help boost the look of radiance. Although wrinkles and dark spots are a completely natural part of your skin’s ageing process, the sun’s rays can actually make these occur prematurely if your skin isn’t protected. So sunscreen is one of the best ways to help retain a youthful look for longer.
Try: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical SPF50+ Invisible Fluid
• Size: 50ml
• Non-oily
• Non-sticky
• Invisible finish on all skin tones
• 93% felt their dark spots were less visible^
• 92% felt their fine lines were reduced^
Vitamin C combines with advanced SPF50+ protection in this ultra-light sunscreen to improve the look of radiance and uneven skin texture whilst helping prevent signs of UV-induced ageing. The fast-absorbing formula also contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help replenish moisture levels.
Easily absorbed and non greasy, really nice texture that just melts into skin. Doesn’t have a strong smell either and the small bottle lasts a long time. No white residue and works really well under make up. Already a staple of my skin care regime.
Try: No7 Future Renew™ Damage Reversal SPF40 Day Cream
• Size: 50ml
• Dermatologist-approved
Don’t regret, just reverse with No7 Future Renew™. This rich-textured day cream is expertly formulated with a world-first peptide technology, Pepticology™, to support the skin’s natural self-repair process and reverse visible signs of skin damage.† The addition of SPF40 helps shield skin from future damage caused by UV rays.
I love this face cream. Smells gorgeous, reminds me of honey. Beautiful texture, very hydrating. I’m a woman in my 60s and this cream is perfect for my dry, mature skin.
Best for normal skin
If your skin is relatively low maintenance, then you’ve likely got what’s commonly referred to as ‘normal’ skin. Though, we prefer terms like ‘neutral’ or ‘balanced’ since every skin type is normal! And even those with normal skin can experience flare-ups of sensitivity, dryness or blemishes at times.
Often, normal skin isn’t fussy when it comes to skincare and many products tend to work well with this skin type.
Try: Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream SPF50+
• Size: 50ml
• 98% said the formulation has an invisible finish‡
• 99% felt the sunscreen maintains their skin’s moisture‡
Traditionally, water, sweat and heat can all reduce the effectiveness of your UV protection. However, Shiseido’s Expert Sun Protector actually becomes stronger and more effective than when you first applied it when exposed to water, sweat and heat, thanks to the innovative SynchroShield Technology™. And what’s more, the triple protect formula glides on smoothly with an invisible finish helping shield skin from UV-induced fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.±
I used this for the first time and I was blown away, I’m in my 40s and protecting my skin is a must. It felt so hydrating. Normally my skin gets really dehydrated with the heat and sun. This really kept my skin hydrated and protected.
Try: NIVEA SUN Protect & Bronze Pump Spray SPF30
• Size: 200ml
• Suitable for all skin types
• Water-resistant
• Non-greasy
• Free of microplastic
• 76% biodegradable formula
Providing a dual effect to help you protect and bronze at the same time, this spray offers immediate UV protection for your skin alongside a pro-melanin extract that boosts your skin’s own melanin production. Make way for a beautiful and healthy-looking natural tan.
Such a lovely cream. I have never been such an amazing colour, so natural I don’t know how this works. It’s not got self tan in the ingredients but it’s definitely different from everything else I’ve tried.
And there you have it! Your guide to finding the right SPF for your skin type. Need more sunscreen advice? Here’s 7 common SPF myths debunked and our top tips for how to reapply sunscreen over make-up.
