There is so much brouhaha around SPFs – which factor to choose, which chemical to opt for (and yes, they are all chemicals; everything is made up of chemicals, even the air you breathe and food you eat) – that it can be easy to find sun protection confusing.
But the simple truth is that you need to protect your skin from the sun because not only is skin cancer on the increase but the sun ages your skin, causing wrinkles, lines, sagging and pigmentation. So let me do the hard work for you and choose the top 20 lightest, most pleasant to use SPFs. Now lie back and enjoy the sun – and don’t apply sun filter as a highlighter like Gwyneth Paltrow. Slather it on all over.
The must-have SPF50
1. Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Face Fluid SPF50
(£7; boots.com)
Look no further than this renamed but still the same light fluid, launched last summer to much applause and with good reason. Sits well under make-up – simply wear it in place of your everyday moisturiser.
2. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50
(£34; spacenk.com)
This is the hottest SPF range to launch this year in the UK, and this is the dream: light, doesn’t pill under make-up and dries to a demi-matte non-greasy finish. Ultra Violette also has a mineral sunscreen that dries matte (£34) and an SPF30 (£32).
3. Saltee Daily Protection Formula SPF50
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(£29; saltee.co.uk)
Superlight, this has a primer-like feel to it and over a vitamin C serum is all you need for summer. Partners will love it too.
4. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF50
(£25; boots.com)
This is a great option for anyone with sunspots/age spots/liver spots – call them what you want, we know when we have them. It is loaded with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and vitamin B3, and, for good reasons, dermatologists love this brand.
5. Lancaster Sun Sensitive Oil-Free Fluid SPF50
(£22; next.co.uk)
I know what you’re thinking: oh, Lancaster, the brand famous for its low SPFs and celebration of tanning. Well, not any more, and this oil-free lotion is ideal for oily and breakout-prone skins.
Top-up options
We sweat; we touch our faces; SPFs can wear off and wear out – so try these on-the-go top-up sun protection factors.
6. Brush On Block SPF30
(£40; brushonblocksunscreen.co.uk)
This is a powder mineral sunscreen that knocks back sweat and adds SPF. The minerals are silvery so it’s not great for darker skin tones but it does come in a warmer shade for anyone with olive to mid-toned complexions.
7. Garnier Ambre Solaire Over Make-up Super UV Protection Mist SPF50
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(£6; lookfantastic.com)
You know that caught out over a long lunch, exercising in the park or taking the dog for a walk feeling? Then this light mist is small enough to carry with you and is the perfect top-up SPF.
8. Coola Make-up Setting Spray Organic Sunscreen SPF30
(£39; spacenk.com)
It’s a clever idea to add sun filters to foundation setting sprays because make-up slides in the heat, so why not kill two birds with one stone, or solve two problems in one spritz?
9. Revolution Pro Protect Soft Focus Fixing Spray SPF30
(£8; revolutionbeauty.com)
This is only 50ml, but that makes it perfect to pop in your pocket or bag. Don’t rely on any top-up SPF as your primary protection, but for on the run in the sun this is great.
Best SPF30 formulations
It’s much easier to find a pleasant SPF30 in a lotion, cream, even a mousse, and most certainly a physical/mineral formula for sensitive skins, than it is an SPF50. Apply enough of it and you will still protect your skin. PS that’s a quarter of a teaspoon for your face, by the way.
10. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Aquagel SPF30
(£34.50; boots.com)
Take a cult hyaluronic acid serum, add SPF30 and, bingo, you have the bestselling SPF of summer 2021. A watery gel, this is ideal for anyone who truly hates SPF.
11. Bliss Block Star Invisible Daily Sunscreen SPF30
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(£19.99; boots.com)
Welcome Bliss skincare back to the UK with this gorgeous matte-finish, soft-focus daily SPF lotion. Supersize it for the body and it truly would be all you need.
12. Evy Daily UV Face Mousse SPF30
(£25; evy.uk.com)
Imagine a mousse that hydrates and protects your skin. This is the dream brand for anyone who dislikes lotions or creams. There are body products and higher SPFs in the range too. You need more of it to compensate for the air in the formula (a golfball-sized spray for face and neck), but it’s a sheer joy to apply and use.
13. Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF30
(£32, with refills for £28; boots.com)
Who knew a pop star could come up with such great skincare? Rihanna has worked her formulating chemists hard to create a light, refillable and gorgeous daily SPF that doesn’t leave a white ghosting cast. Trust me and try it.
Best sensitive skin options
If you’re sensitive to traditional sun filters, search out a mineral sunscreen. There are some great options, and if they are tinted it’s because the titanium and zinc dioxide used are silvery white.
14. Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense
(£29; spacenk.com)
This is a gorgeous golden colour so can be used in place of make-up (if you apply enough, and that’s 2mg per sq cm of skin, so a quarter teaspoon for face, another for neck, etc).
15. Dr Dennis Gross Skincare All Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF30
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(£46; cultbeauty.co.uk)
Dr Gross is a US dermatologist and they like mineral SPFs because they suit all skins, even the most sensitive, and can even be used post-procedure. This genuinely leaves no white ghosting on any skin tone.
16. Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF30
(£49; dermalogica.co.uk)
Again, this was formulated to be used right after facials, peels and intense treatments so it’s superlight and a dream to apply.
For the body
The simple rule for your body is if you can spray it, it will be nicer to use, because the formula must be light enough to get through the pinprick nozzle. Here are the spray-and-go options.
17. Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Spray SPF50
(£16.99; boots.com)
Eucerin makes great skincare and its suncare is ideal for the whole family: spray and rub in, and it dries in seconds with no stickiness.
18. Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Spray SPF50
(£8; boots.com)
A good option for anyone who suffers from sun-induced allergies like polymorphic light eruption (those itchy tiny bumps you can get from sun exposure).
19. Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water SPF50
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(£18.99; superdrug.com)
This feels like a light, watery serum, hydrates skin and dries to a soft touch in seconds.
20. Garnier Ambre Solaire Kids Sensitive Anti-Sand Spray SPF50
(£7; groceries.asda.com)
If sand doesn’t stick to it then it’s guaranteed to be dry-touch. This spray is ideal for everyone and won’t break the budget.
You can find Nadine Baggott on Instagram and YouTube where she answers your beauty questions
