High protection, great under makeup, no white cast, and no triggered breakouts: sunscreens have come a long way from the thick, greasy formulas of old. These new SPF innovations are the best of the best.
It’s fair to say that sunscreens don’t traditionally have the best reputation. At best, they have been seen as a holiday essential that signals you are off on your summer travels. At worst, sunscreens are a chore to apply that leave your skin looking and feeling worse – a sacrifice you make to try to avoid burning.
But things are changing. Firstly, education is finally getting better about why we should be wearing SPF – not just to avoid sunburn and skin cancer at a time when cancer rates are rising, but also to prevent premature signs of ageing such as wrinkles and dark spots. Then, to actually make it feel possible to wear it every single day (yes, even when it’s not sunny, say dermatologists), the formulas have become so much better.
From lightweight formulas that won’t cause break outs, or for your makeup to slip off, to high factors in all kinds of finishes that don’t leave your skin looking ashy, these are the tried-and-tested sunscreens we love.
Whether you're staying at a five star hotel or a bed and breakfast – this sunscreen instantly upgrades your summer holiday experience. In fact, you'll want to reapply it frequently (as you should) in the sunshine just to show it off. The silky texture resembles Sisley's gorgeous skincare and as well as high SPF protection it also helps prevent dark spots, leaving your skin glowing and smooth.
Want to stop signs of premature ageing such as wrinkles and dark spots in their tracks? Murad has released four results-driven sunscreens that have ramped things up a notch. Most impressively, this SPF 50 formula has the added benefit a 'bio-retinoid' that is safe for daytime use, helping smooth and plump your skin in a similar way to anti-ageing active retinol, without making your skin more sensitive to the sun. That's clever.
Sunscreen sticks are having a real moment right now – and for good reason, with Shiseido's updated formula one of the latest and the best. Easy-to-apply (and reapply) with the ability to get into your face and body contours such as around your hairline to avoid missing spots, the clear stick is all-but-invisible on all skin tones and super long lasting as it resists sweat and water.
The Ordinary is back with sunscreen! And we knew it would deliver the no-fuss results you need (like so much of the brand's skincare). What we love most about this formula is that it is like a serum to apply – lightweight, hydrating and quick to absorb – meaning it sits really well under your makeup, without piling, and uses a combination of chemical filters to protect your skin without a tell-tale ashy finish.
High protection factor 50 and water-resistent SPFs used to be the biggest culprits for a thick, obvious finish. Allies of Skin proves that's no longer true. In fact, due to its Second-Skin Aloe Complex, this transparent gel sunscreen doubles up as a primer and nourishes your skin with brightening ingredients such as vitamin C, green tea and liquorice root for noticeable skincare benefits. Consider us impressed.
This is a sunscreen that feels much more like a luxurious moisturiser so you'll want to apply it every day – not just because you have to. Super lightweight, with no white cast, what we love most is that it doesn't feel greasy, so it won't clog pores or interfere with your makeup. In fact, your skin actually feels more hydrated and the formula tackles existing signs of sun damage, such as dullness over time too.
Love a matte finish but find that wearing sunscreen always leaves you with a glossy or even greasy glow? Or are you super concerned about getting breakouts from a pore-clogging formula? Fear not. Go and get this mattifying-version of Mecca's classic sunscreen right now. Despite being high SPF 50+, the product is anti-shine and blurs away visible pores.
Thought Laneige only did its iconic nourishing lip products? Think again. Laneige's sunscreen might be under-the-radar for now, but you can instantly see how it benefits from the brand's moisturising know-how. With a lightweight watery texture that is instantly refreshing and soothing on your skin, we'll be swapping this in for our traditional moisturiser this summer to tackle dryness while getting broad spectrum SPF 50+ protection.
Perfect for city dwellers or anyone heading off to a sunny city break, Bioderma's lightweight fluid shields your skin from UV rays and pollution, leaving your skin not only super protected but more even in tone and texture over time. It comes in various shades too, for a healthy, hydrated yet soft matte finish that can act as your sole base. Just team it with lip balm and a swipe of mascara.
If you have very sensitive skin, you need to get your hands on this sunscreen. The mineral formula skips the chemical filters that can often irritate reactive complexions and avoids the thick, greasy and white finish that traditional mineral SPFs bring. Best of all, it delivers high protection, plus actively soothes complexions that tend to feel tight or flushed in the sunshine.
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Lead image: Triangl
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