When it comes to protecting your skin against UV damage, you need the best sunscreens for your face as possible.
As one of the leading causes of skin ageing and skin cancer, sun damage is something we all need to be aware of. Using high-quality and high SPF sunscreens will help shield your delicate skin against both UVA and UVB rays, ensuring you give your complexion the best possible protection you can.
Our Top 10 Picks of the Best Sunscreens for Face
- Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30
- Elizabeth Prevage City Smart Hydrating Shield
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Face Mist
- DECLÉOR Face Sun Fluid SPF 30
- REN Clean Screen Mineral Sunscreen
- Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50
- NUXE Sun High Protection Fondant Face Cream with SPF 50
- SkinCeuticals Oil Shield UV Defense Sun Cream SPF 50
- VICHY Idéal Soleil Dry Touch Face Cream SPF 50
- Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30
Which is the best face sunscreen for your skin type?
Whether you prefer a lightweight lotion, cream or spray, we have selected our edit of the best sunscreens for face on the market, to help you choose what to include in your skincare routine for long-term skin health.
1. Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30 50ml
One of Dermalogica's newest launches, the
Prisma Protect is a light-activated sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It works by cleverly detecting light and then shielding your skin against damage.
Super lightweight upon application, it's brilliant for anyone who doesn't like the traditional feel of a sunscreen as it hydrates without making your skin feel greasy. Free from common skin irritants like parabens and artificial fragrance, it's great for all skin types, including sensitive.
- Best for: All skin types, but especially sensitive
2. Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF50 Hydrating Shield 40ml
The
Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart is one of the best sunscreens for face we have tried. Tinted to even out the complexion and give the skin a flawless finish, it also combines anti-pollution and UV technology to shield the skin against damaging environmental aggressors.
With 100% mineral broad spectrum
SPF 50, this is one of the best performing sunscreens we have tested.
- Best for: All skin types, but especially skin prone to dryness and dehydration
3. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Protection Invisible SPF50+ Face Mist 75ml
If you prefer a lighter weight feel sunscreen, you will love
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Invisible Face Mist. As its name suggests, it feels invisible on the skin, yet provides incredible coverage, and because it's in mist form, it makes it so easy to top up during the day.
Specially formulated for sensitive and fair skin types, it's also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't break you out.
- Best for: Sensitive skin, especially fairer complexions
4. DECLÉOR Aloe Vera Suncare Face Fluid SPF30 40ml
Part of their soothing Aloe Vera Sun range, the
DECLÉOR Face Sun Fluid SPF 30 both hydrates and nourishes the complexion to keep it protected and free from irritation from sun exposure.
The lightweight lotion protects against all UV rays as well as other external aggressors that can lead to skin damage and premature ageing. The formula absorbs quickly into the skin to create a smoother and softer surface to enhance the visage.
- Best for: All skin types, especially maturer
5. REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF30 50ml
With an increased focus on clean beauty and sustainable packaging, we expect
REN'S Clean Screen Sunscreen to be huge for summer 2019.
The non-nano and mineral technology means that it's ocean safe as it doesn't contain any pollutant particles. Instead, it's infused with zinc oxide, which helps to shield against UVA, UVB and blue light technology, alongside rice starch to absorb excess oil and yellow passion fruit seed extract to hydrate and boost the skin's defence system against free radical damage.
It's moisturising yet not greasy, super lightweight and great as a makeup primer. In fact, there's nothing we don't love about this new generation of suncare.
- Best for: All skin types, especially oily skin as it doesn't feel greasy
6. Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA ++++ 50ml
If you're going to be spending a lot of your summer travelling or working in cities, you will need a suitable SPF that shields against pollution and environmental aggressors: enter
Murad's City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum with SPF 50.
Protecting the skin against both UVA and UVB rays, the lightweight sunscreen is 100% mineral-based, so great for all skin types, including sensitive. In addition, this SPF also shields against blue light pollution from your phone and computer, so perfect for anyone commuting into work every day.
- Best for: All skin types, especially sensitive
7. NUXE Sun High Protection Fondant Cream for Face SPF 50 50ml
Great for anyone with particularly sensitive or fair skin that burns easily, the
NUXE Sun High Protection Fondant Cream has an SPF 50 to shield against both UVA and UVB rays for complete complexion protection.
Free from alcohol and parabens, the lightweight lotion is also non-comedogenic so won't block pores or cause breakouts. Enriched with water hyacinth, the cream hydrates and soothes the skin to help reduce redness and irritation. Plus, it also makes an excellent makeup base.
- Best for: All skin types, especially skin prone to redness
8. SkinCeuticals Oil Shield UV Defense Sun Cream SPF 50 30ml
Trusted globally, SkinCeuticals create scientifically backed formulas that work to support and protect the skin. Their new
SkinCeuticals Oil Shield UV Defense Sun Cream SPF 50 is an anti-oxidant rich, mattifying cream that helps to both shield against harmful UV rays, and guard against unwanted shine that develops more commonly in the summertime.
The high SPF 50 formula helps to prevent against the signs of premature ageing, keeping the skin looking youthful, balanced and hydrated throughout the year.
- Best for: All skin types, especially maturer skin
9. VICHY Idéal Soleil Dry Touch Face Cream SPF 50 50ml
Water resistant and hypoallergenic, the
VICHY Idéal Soleil Dry Touch Face Cream SPF 50 is a high protection formula that is suitable for event the most sensitive skin types. The wide spectrum filter shields the skin from sun damage, keeping it hydrated and protected.
Enriched with the brand's famous Vichy Thermal Spring Water, the formula nourishes the skin and leaves it with a matte and oil-free finish.
- Best for: Very sensitive skin types
10. Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30 50ml
Combining hydration, anti-ageing and sun protection, this SPF from
Medik8 is the perfect hybrid of skin and sun care. Fortified with a nourishing blend of antioxidants, this creamy blend contains Moringa extract and Theobroma cocoa seed extract to protect against environmental aggressors and blue light. Combined with the powerful peptide Carnosine, the formula works to repair collagen in the skin which in turn plumps it up to even out fine lines and wrinkles.
- Best for: Maturer skin types
As someone with an affinity for all things beauty, discovering fantastic new products is my not-so-secret obsession. Over the years I've tried and tested a mountains worth of creams, serums and cleansers, finding some of my favourite 'holy-grail' products along the way. However, I'm always on the lookout for more ways to nourish my hair, perfect my dewy base, or enhance my skincare routine.
Working as a beauty blogger for over 3 years, I've been lucky enough to collaborate personally with lots of amazing beauty brands including Christian Dior, The Body Shop and Dermalogica. I've used the Dermalogica special cleansing gel religiously since I first got it and their products are some of my ultimate skincare faves. When it comes to cosmetics, NARS Sheer Glow foundation is definitely my go-to - I live for a light, glowy base!
