PROTECTING your face from the sun is one of the most effective anti-ageing moves you can make.
The best SPF creams and lotions are not just for holidays, they should be used daily to keep wrinkles, dark spots and pigmentation at bay.
It's important to look for a suncream that is 'broad spectrum', so there's protection from both skin-damaging UVA rays as well as UVB rays, which cause burns that can lead to cancer.
SPF creams have come a long way since the days of thick white layers and strong chemical smells.
There's now a host of sun protection products that you'll actually look forward to using, including complexion-boosting tinted SPF for coverage, antioxidant-rich creams for extra wrinkle-reducing prowess, and hydrating moisturisers with SPF.
So, whether you're looking for oily, sensitive or dry skin, we've picked the best SPF for faces to suit your needs.
1. Best SPF Facial Moisturiser: Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50
Applying daily sunscreen won't feel like a chore with this full-protection sunscreen superhero.
It's lightweight yet intensely moisturising, free from fragrance and nasties like paraben and is fast-absorbing without leaving a white residue – making it perfect for wearing under makeup.
It's an easy addition to your daily routine and also fab to pop in your carry-on for your next sun-filled getaway.
- Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50 30ml, £24.65 from Feel Unique – buy here
2. Best SPF Foundation: Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
This is your one-step-stop for all your skin's needs.
The product offers top protection from the sun with an SPF 50, full coverage for an even, smooth complexion, anti-ageing serum to banish wrinkles and hydration to keep you moisturised and dewy-looking.
Developed with plastic surgeons, it's packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and vitamins, to plump skin as well as reduce pores and blur fine lines.
It glides onto the skin and doesn't crease or cake.
In case you can't tell, we think it's a bit of a multitasking wonder product.
- Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, £29.95 from Boots – buy here
3. Best SPF for Oily Skin: Avene Mineral Fluid SPF50+
Suncreams have traditionally been heavy and greasy, but there's no excuse now for oily skin sufferers to skip the routine.
Lightweight, mattifying sunscreens that don't clog pores really do exist. And this is one of them.
This face cream offers high SPF 50 broad spectrum protection using only mineral-based filters with a non-greasy finish.
It's fragrance-free and contains Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe your skin without the shine.
- Avene Mineral Fluid SPF50+ 40ml, £13.87 from Boots – buy here
4. Best SPF for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+
A high-protection SPF 50 that also offers coverage for dry and sensitive skin? We're all over it.
Providing broad spectrum defence, the tinted moisturiser also works to soothe irritation, inflammation and prickly heat.
The brand's Thermal Spring Water, meanwhile, hydrates and leaves a radiant complexion.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ 50ml, £17.50 from Look Fantastic – buy here
5. Best SPF Lip Balm: Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF 30 in Rhubarb
We love having dry lips – said nobody, ever. So snap up a gorgeous tinted balm that protects the delicate skin as well as hydrates.
Leaving a sheer tint that adds a hint of colour and a lot of gloss, you can keep it in your handbag for out-and-about pout perfection.
You can also pop it on your cheekbones for a soft flush.
It's a little hardworking hottie that's also not tested on animals.
The product is free from fragrances, parabens, mineral oil and sulphates. Now that's lip service.
- Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF 30 in Rhubarb, £8.99 from Look Fantastic – buy here
6. Best SPF for Sensitive Skin: Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Sun Cream SPF 50+
The Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Sun Cream SPF 50+ is affordable, perfectly-sized to pop in your carry-on or handbag and offers full protection against wrinkle-causing UVAs and cancer-causing UVBs.
This potent little cream is specially formulated for fair and sensitive skin, and is infused with pure vitamin E to maintain a healthy, moisturised complexion.
All for under a fiver. We'll have two, please.
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Sun Cream SPF 50+, £3 from Boots – buy here
7. Best SPF tinted moisturiser: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++
NARS' Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with 30 SPF comes in 17 different shades, so you can say goodbye to mismatched face-body skin tones.
When the sun's shining, there's nothing worse than caking on concealer and foundation so this will give your complexion a boost with a natural glow.
And all the 86 reviews on CultBeauty are five stars, with one customer writing "This makes my skin still look and feel like my skin but better…like a real-life filter for your face."
- NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++, £33 from CultBeauty – buy here
8. Best SPF eye cream: Sarah Chapman Eye Insurance SPF 30
The skin around our eyes is extra delicate, so why not treat it to some much-needed TLC with Sarah Chapman's best-selling Eye Insurance SPF 30.
Featuring a tint, this cream promises to help lift the upper eye lid, plumping and firming the skin in the process.
If you're one to struggle with dark circles then this will help brighten up your eyes with UV, infared and environmental protection.
- Sarah Chapman Eye Insurance SPF 30, £48 from Space NK – buy here
What SPF is best for faces?
Dermatologists recommend that everyone should wear SPF30 at least – that allows around 3 percent of UVB rays into your skin.
To be extra safe, we recommend opting for SPF 50 on your face, but applying suncream before SPF products can help with ensuring you are fully protected.
What does SPF do for your face?
SPF stands for sun protection factor which is pretty self-explanatory.
However, not only does SPF protect from sun damage which can cause cancer, it also stops your face from showing signs of ageing, helping avoid sagging or wrinkles.
Is SPF 15 enough protection for your face?
If you're wearing suncream underneath your SPF face products, then you can use ones that only have SPF 15.
Although, if you're not exposed to the sun very much throughout the day then you can stick with the lower SPFs but definitely keep them high for long days of sunning.
How much SPF should I apply on my face?
Experts say that you should apply a teaspoon amount of SPF to your face, then reapply every two to three hours if you're in the sun.
If you want to apply more than that, we aren't stopping you though! Better to be safe than sorry!
If you're looking to protect your skin but are worried about acne, check out our selection of the best SPF for acne.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best SPF for faces? We’ve also rounded up tonnes of the best beauty products on the market if you’re planning to transform your look.
We’re all about helping you find the best products at the best prices, so follow the link if you want to browse more of Sun Selects’ recommendations.
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