High protection, great under makeup, no white cast, and no triggered breakouts: our beauty director has you covered for the heatwave, with her tried-and-tested picks of the very best sunscreens.
Sunscreens don’t traditionally have a great reputation. At best, they are 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.
What makes a good sunscreen?
The best SPFs offer broad-spectrum UV protection against the sun’s rays, while also providing a wearable finish that isn’t sticky, cloying, or overly noticeable on the skin – aka the dreaded white cast.
With sunscreens steadily improving for all skin tones, and with an ever-growing array of wearable creams, sprays and gels available, there’s simply no excuse to skip this all-important step.
From lightweight formulas that 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, from brands like Elf and Ilia, these are the tried-and-tested sunscreens our beauty director totally trusts.
It's hard to overstate how impressive this sunscreen is (and I've tried a lot of them in my time as a beauty director!). First of all, it's completely clear so there's no risk of a white cast on any skin tone, and it doesn't just sit nicely underneath your makeup (with no greasiness) – it actually primes your skin so your base products apply smoothly and last longer. That's super important when fighting the heatwave heat! And, when the need to top up comes around, you can rely on Elf's on-the-go SPF sticks that I love too.
This is SPF made luxe and it's actually a treat to wear (even if you previously have hated wearing sunscreen), while still delivering the very high SPF 50+ protection you need to truly guard your skin. Designed to double as a makeup base and infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidant vitamin E, skincare benefits are a really big focus for this formula meaning it leaves your skin looking and feeling hydrated and glowy, rather than sticky and greasy.
Feels like a serum, protects like SPF, Laneige's new Water Bank sunscreen bottles the best of K-Beauty's skin-first philosophy for an SPF you'll actually forget you are wearing. The clever formula offers super high protection, while drenching your skin in some much-needed hydration (considering the sun is often responsible for drying out your skin). That's thanks to the brand's clever blue hyaluronic acid complex, which also helps repair your skin's moisture barrier.
If you have sensitive skin and hate how traditional SPF irritates your complexion, look no further than Green People's fragrance-free SPF50+, which I really trust for keeping you protected without side effects. In fact, the formula is allergy certified and contains lots of skin nourishing ingredients such as organic aloe vera and glycerin, alongside that all important ultra-high broad-spectrum protection.
Darling is a new vegan suncare brand from Italy that is really making waves and for very good reason. The products are all focused on making SPF much more wearable with serum-like finishes and different textures to suit all your preferences. A highlight though is this travel-friendly suncare kit, which includes a full-sized SPF50+, mini touch-up spray, and an after sun all contained in a chic little carry case.
Ilia is a brand already loved by CF's founder Sheena, and this mineral sunscreen is set to become another makeup bag essential! The lightweight, zinc-based formula blends beautifully without the heavy, chalky finish that many mineral sunscreens leave behind, while the subtle tint gives skin a healthy, dewy glow. We love the sleek rounded packaging too, so if you want high protection with a 'glass skin' finish, this is one of the most elegant mineral SPFs around.
Kama Ayurveda’s SPF 50 really stands out within the suncare market because it blends modern sun protection with traditional Ayurvedic skincare principles. That makes it especially appealing for anyone looking for a more natural, wellness-focused approach to daily suncare, as it combines high SPF protection and a lightweight, non-oily texture with plant-based, skin-loving ingredients that have been used to calm and nourish skin for generations.
Think that a need to top up your vitamin D levels is an excuse to not wear SPF? Think again. This clever sunscreen defends against the full spectrum of sun-based skin aggressors, including UVA, UVB, pollution and blue light (which makes it great for city dwellers), while also containing ingredients that help boost your skin’s natural vitamin D production and protect against premature ageing over time. Best of all, it’s fast-absorbing and non-greasy to wear too.
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.
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Lead image: Elf
Becki Murray is Citizen Femme’s Beauty and Wellness Director. As one of the only UK journalists to hold a Distinction-grade diploma in cosmetic science, she combines her unique knowledge with an editor’s eye to help you make smarter choices about beauty, wellbeing, and aesthetics. Becki also heads up CF’s spa guide so you could say she’s an expert in the science of relaxation too…
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