High protection, great under makeup, no white cast, and no triggered breakouts: our beauty director took the latest sunscreen innovations on her last holiday, and these are the ones she deemed the best of the best.
It’s fair to say that sunscreens don’t traditionally have a great reputation. At best, they are simply an annoying holiday essential that signals you are off on your summer travels, while stopping you from the pain of burns and skin damage. At worst, they’re a chore to apply (or you simply don’t). Sometimes, when you do, they leave your skin looking and feeling worse.
But things are changing. 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. To help make wearing it everyday actually possible (yes, even when it’s not sunny, say dermatologists), brands have stepped up and made their formulas so much better.
From lightweight formulas that won’t cause breakouts and are actually good for your skin (due to added skincare benefits) to high factors in all kinds of finishes that don’t leave your skin looking ashy, these are the tried-and-tested sunscreens our beauty director totally trusts.
Just as Cerave's hydrating cleanser has become a staple within my skincare routine, this new sunscreen was first into my beach bag during my latest trip for winter sun. High protection with a creamy texture, it doesn't feel heavy or sticky on your skin. Best of all, my skin actually felt better – aka soft and hydrated – after wearing it. That's due to the formula being enriched with ceramides that lock moisture into your skin even while you are in and out of the sea and lying on the sand.
Want your skin to look more radiant as well as not burnt? Kiehl's was one of the brands that introduced me to the concept of a city SPF – aka a sunscreen that didn't just protect your skin from the sun but also from the consequences of city living, such as pollution. This latest iteration is brilliant under makeup, with a serum-like texture that makes you forget it's sun protection. Not only does it contain SPF 50 but it is also powered by collagen peptide fragments that tell your skin to improve its overall tone and texture over time.
Lancaster is a sunscreen brand that I've trusted for years (as have many other experts), but this latest collection of SPFs has got me really excited. It turns sunscreen from a one-size-fits-all solution into something much more tailored, with a range of four products to suit different concerns, such as hydration, dullness, redness and breakouts. Each is powered by a leading skincare active, such as hyaluronic acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract and zinc PCA, as well as SPF 50. That means each formula works with rather than against your skin, and all of them are feather-light in texture too.
Makeup, skincare and SPF all-in-one: if you are packing light for your next holiday, this Supergoop sunscreen earns its place in your carry-on. Providing broad spectrum protection, the tinted formula gives your skin an instant glow boost, blurring away imperfections so you don't have to wear makeup on the beach. The formula is also particularly kind to your skin (including if it is sensitive) with a mineral base to avoid irritation and the addition of strawberry oil to calm breakout-prone complexions.
Korean sunscreens are the biggest trending category in SPF right now – and for good reason. With superlight, almost watery textures and lots of skincare benefits, they really don't feel like you are wearing sunscreen (while providing great sun protection). This is my absolute favourite and my ticket to enviably lit-from-within glass skin. It's packed with rice seed water and panthenol which means it feels cooling and hydrating without greasiness, so you actually enjoy wearing it all day.
Quick, easy-to-apply and enjoyable to use – Sun Bum is perfect for the whole family, especially for top-ups on-the-go and while poolside. The spray is delivered as a light mist so you don't flinch when you use it across your face and the mattifying formula (thanks to witch hazel) absorbs instantly so you don't have to rub it in constantly, and you don't end up looking oily. It's exactly what you need for protecting your hairline, ears and the back of your neck – aka the easy-to-miss areas.
Perfect for sporty types, this sunscreen from Ultra Violette is a brilliant mix between a cream and a spray, allowing for quick yet longlasting sun protection. The formula itself is broad spectrum, offers two hours of water resistance so you don't have to reapply straight after a dip in the pool, and is uber-hydrating. In fact, it's infused with soothing aloe vera and jojoba oil, leaving your skin soft and supported, rather than sticky or irritated in the sunshine.
Still unsure which sunscreen to choose? Why not follow the example of a television star and choose this super hydrating formula that's absolutely packed with skincare ingredients, including ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and black rice extract? The result: a glass-like glow that keeps your skin plump, smooth and highly protected without any white cast. Actress Yerin Ha, who plays leading lady Sophie in the latest series of Bridgerton, was spotted using it recently, and it really is very, very good, especially its 'airy' texture.
I love a good sunscreen stick and this one from Dr Jart+ has gone straight to the top of my must-pack list for beach holidays and city breaks alike. It not only makes applying (and reapplying) SPF super straightforward, but it is also totally invisible and non-greasy on your skin, so anyone with sensitivities or hatred of white casts needn't fear. Last but certainly not least, it also acts as a great makeup primer, blurring away pores and providing a semi-matte finish that can help stop your concealer from slipping off in the heat.
Who said applying sunscreen can't be fun? Sure to be a favourite with any children you have in your group, Evy's innovative SPF has a shaving foam-like texure that's soft and non-sticky, while still delivering super high-protection. The clever formula contains factor 50 and vitamin C and E for skin nourishment, but it also actually forms a protective barrier over your skin, which makes it both water-resistant and budge-proof, even when rubbing your skin with a towel.
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Lead image: Beauty of Joseon
Any Questions or Tips to add?