The 9 best facial sunscreens that you'll actually look forward to applying every day
Our beauty editors have tested and reviewed the best facial sunscreens for comfortable wearability, high protection and long-term skin benefits
Sennen Prickett
Any skin expert, from dermatologists to aestheticians, will agree that wearing sunscreen is crucial to our skin's health and condition. It's one of the core pillars of a good skincare routine, protecting it and preventing premature visible skin ageing and sun damage. In other words, applying one of the best facial sunscreens – high-performing, high protection formulas – is a non-negotiable part of life.
While most of us remember to apply sunscreen diligently while on holidays and during periods of especially sunny weather, from the best sunscreens for oily skin to dry, wearing SPF every day is crucial as UV is still present on greyer days. Daily application is vital "no matter what the weather, or the season," Dr Malvina Cunningham, Consultant Dermatologist for Skin + Me, stresses. "If you were wearing SPF 30 or lower during the winter months, now is the time to consider jumping up to SPF 50 or more."
But finding the best facial sunscreen for you and your skin's needs is trickier – whether you need something with zero white cast, that won't pill underneath makeup or a formula that's the best sunscreen for sensitive skin, specifically. And with the days gradually getting longer, daylight levels are increasing, meaning it's all the more important to find a formula you'l put on every morning without fail. Here, our beauty team joined forces to test dozens of products to pinpoint the the nine very best facial sunscreens to suit every skin type and budget.
The best facial sunscreens, tried and tested by beauty editors
RRP: £19.99 | Sunscreen Type: Chemical | Texture: Light fluid | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E | Fragranced? Yes | SPF: 50+
This milky fluid disappears into the skin with zero residue, greasiness or chalky finish. It's closer to a face moisturiser with SPF than most sunscreens, meaning it sits beautifully under makeup and offers seriously robust protection. It's not oily, so a great choice for combination skin but also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid to gently plump the skin, so dry types will get on well with it too. While the fluid itself is fragranced, said scent is so subtle and unobtrusive it really shouldn't be a problem for anyone.
Pros
- High SPF
- Super lightweight
- Antioxidants protect against pollution
- Doesn't pill under makeup
- Great value
Cons
- Contains light fragrance, which won't suit everyone
RRP: £20 | Sunscreen Type: Chemical | Texture: Fluid | Key Ingredients: Mexoryl 400 filter, glycerin | Fragranced? No | SPF: 50+
This product is an update of the much-loved Anthelios Invisible Fluid, one of the best La Roche-Posay products of all time. It has retained the light, and non-greasy texture and sheer finish of the original but added in a unique and powerful UV filter, called Mexoryl 400. This 10-years-in-the-making ingredient targets long UVA rays, which have been shown to cause the most skin damage due to their ability to reach the deep dermis layer. This, in turn, protects your collagen-producing fibroblast cells like no other formula, which translates to plumper, more even-toned, firmer skin. Top marks all around.
Pros
- Unique filter to protect against long UVA
- Great for sensitive skin
- Non-comedogenic, unscented
- Sheer finish
- Handy bottle
Cons
- None, we love this
RRP: £34 | Sunscreen Type: Mineral | Texture: Cream | Key Ingredients: Sunflower shoot extract, algae extract, raspberry seed oil | Fragranced? No | SPF: 30
As the name suggests, it's made with physical blockers, yet as mineral formulas go is fairly sheer. The rich, creamy texture goes on smoothly and sinks in nicely, although we did find it needed a little more blending than your average sunscreen to look truly invisible. The creamy texture quenches skin to plump fine lines and wrinkles while defending against damage and external environmental aggressors. As this SPF is also fragrance-free, it's one of the best facial sunscreen options for sensitive skin types and anyone who prefers to avoid chemical filters. Its generous 90ml tube makes it decent value too.
Pros
- Broad-spectrum UVA/ UVB protection
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Fragrance- and essential oil-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Mineral SPF can leave residue
RRP: £44.50 | Sunscreen Type: Chemical | Texture: Light cream | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, sunscreen actives | Fragranced? No | SPF: 50
This Kiehl's sunscreen is lightweight, fast-absorbing and boasts SPF 50+ for true protection. Most importantly delivering a pore-blurring soft-focus effect rather than an ultra-powdery matte one. For oilier or combination skin types, this will be hugely beneficial under makeup. It hosts an array of gentle and soothing ingredients, as well as your classic chemical sunscreen actives that help protect your skin from UV damage. If you have very dry skin that needs extra hydration there's probably a better formula out there for you. Otherwise, this non-comedogenic sunscreen is super comfortable for daily wear.
Pros
- High SPF
- Mattifying but not flat
- Non-comedogenic, unscented
- Sulphate-, paraben-, and phthalate-free
Cons
- Might not suit very dry skin
RRP: £14.99 | Sunscreen Type: Chemical | Texture: Light fluid | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Asthaxanthin and Cera-Sun Technology | Fragranced? No | SPF: 50
This a subtly peach-tinted fluid sunscreen is designed not only to deliver SPF50, but also to hydrate and soothe the skin - whilst reducing any redness of the complexion. Our tester, Sennen Prickett hails this formula for its weightless feel on the skin, unlike the plethora of other sunscreens she's tried, she notes: "I love how this sunscreen effortlessly glides onto my skin, before quickly absorbing in for a completely weightless feel. Although it does have a slight sunscreen scent, I can easily overlook it for its ability to effortlessly layer makeup over the top - without pilling."
Pros
- Doesn't leave behind a white cast
- Hydrating and soothing on the skin
- Fast to absorb into the skin
- Doesn't pill underneath makeup
Cons
- Does have a slight sunscreen scent
RRP: £28 | Sunscreen Type: Mineral | Texture: Translucent powder | Key Ingredients: Mineral blockers, ceramides | Fragranced? No | SPF: 30
Wondering how to reapply sunscreen without ruining your makeup? This clever buy combines a loose, translucent SPF with a little pop-out brush that the powder filters through that makes it easy for on-the-go top-ups. It's mineral formula is one of the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin and oily or combination skin types. Its weightless barely-there finish is virtually undetectable, gently mattifying without looking chalky. There's very little to nitpick about this, although while the universal shade is sheer and forgiving, it might be nice to see another one with warmer undertones.
Pros
- Handy portable applicator
- Sensitive skin friendly
- Great for oily skins
- Soft-focus finish
Cons
- Powder won't suit all
RRP: £24 | Sunscreen Type: Chemical | Texture: Cream | Key Ingredients: Grape seed extract, squalane | Fragranced? No | SPF: 30
Impressively, Ultrasun formulas are designed with unique lamellar technology, which allows the ingredients to be absorbed and bind with the skin for true all-day protection that won't wash off. The only times the brand recommends you reapply is after "extensive sweating" or swimming, otherwise, you really are good to go for the day. The texture, a mid-weight cream, feels comfortable and hydrating without being greasy, and the clever pump bottle ensures you get every last drop out. It also contains nourishing squalane, and anti-inflammatory grape seed extract and is non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
Pros
- UVA, UVB and HEV (blue) light protection
- Hydrating and soothing ingredients
- Long-lasting lamellar technology
- Pleasant texture
Cons
- If you prefer SPF50
RRP: £13 | Sunscreen Type: Chemical | Texture: Transparent mist | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid | Fragranced? Yes | SPF: 50+
Once you've applied a full face of makeup, it's pretty unappealing to rub another cream on top of that midday and mess up your hard work. That's why we love this hydrating mist from Garnier, which offers SPF50 sun protection in a completely invisible and non-greasy spray that lands on top of makeup but doesn't disturb it or make it melt away. Naturally, with this being a mist, you will lose a little bit of product into the air with each application, so you may want to use a lotion for your morning application, then this for top-ups. Either way, a tiny bit of wastage is a small price to pay for such convenient protection.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Broad spectrum protection
- Weightless feel
- Great for top-ups
Cons
- Mist can waste some product
RRP: £18.99 | Texture: Light cream | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Fragranced? No | SPF: 50
Enriched with hyaluronic acid, this sunscreen shields your skin from the harmful UV and UVB rays with its SPF50, while also deeply hydrating your complexion to allow for moisturised, comfortable wear. Sennen particularly loves this formula as it doesn't cause any irritation to her sensitive skin, she says: "This sunscreen doesn't boast any fragrance, unlike the classic sunscreen scent of others on the market, which makes it great for my sensitive complexion. It not only delivers protection but also hydrates my skin, leaving a slightly tacky, natural matte finish that works as a great base for makeup too."
Pros
- Matte finish
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight on the skin
- No sunscreen scent
Cons
- If you prefer a more radiant finish
- Can leave a slight white cast when not blended in
How we tested the best facial sunscreens
A selection of the facial sunscreens we tested for this guide
The most important thing any sunscreen can do is offer robust protection. So, it goes without saying that of the dozens of products we tested for this guide, we ensured every single one was from a reputable brand offering well-formulated, trustworthy products to defend the skin from UV damage – and carried a minimum SPF level of 30.
We also looked for a solid ingredients list, skincare benefits, user-friendly packaging and textures and appearances that meant a formula was genuinely comfortable to wear every day. Every product was tested for several days during various weather conditions and through daily activities to observe which ones truly performed best.
How to choose the best facial sunscreen for you
Picking the best facial sunscreen for you starts with pinpointing your skin type, so run a quick check with says Kimberley Medd, Head of Clinic at Face The Future's tips. "Normal skin has a good balance of oil and moisture, whereas combination skin will usually have an oily T-zone with dry areas. Dry skin feels tight and flaky, which is often paired with a dull complexion. Oily skin looks shiny, and will be prone to blackheads and breakouts."
Once you have that down, you can then select the sunscreen type and texture that is best suited to your skin type. As Medd explains:
- Oily skin: “I would highly recommend an SPF that is oil-free to prevent further skin congestion and to reduce shine."
- Combination skin: “Needs an SPF that adds moisture to dry areas of the skin, but that is also oil-free and non-comedogenic to prevent skin congestion in the T-zone."
- Dry skin: “For dry skin types, I would recommend a formula that includes moisturising ingredients, such as Vitamin E, glycerin or ceramides." These can help a natural glow stick around for longer, if you want to know how to make a tan last longer.
- Balanced skin: “Requires an SPF that isn’t oil-rich, but that also isn’t too drying, boasting a comfortable, non-greasy formula.
Your best facial sunscreen FAQs, answered
What is the most effective sunscreens for the face?
Understanding sunscreen effectiveness means first decoding the (often fairly jargon-heavy) labeling. The Australian Academy of Science explains clearly what SPF numbers actually signify.
It's calculated by measuring the time (in seconds) it takes for skin to slightly redden when covered in sunscreen, divided by the time it takes for it to redden without protection. So, if it took 300 seconds for the skin to burn with sunscreen, and 10 seconds to burn without it – 300÷10 – a sunscreen would carry an SPF of 30.
Here is your quick cheat sheet to the other numbers and letters found on a sunscreen label.
- UVA: The ultraviolet rays that are largely responsible for premature and visible skin ageing (think A for ageing).
- UVB: The ultraviolet rays responsible for skin burning and reddening (think B for burning). Both UVA and UVB exposure can result in the DNA damage that leads to cancer.
- SPF: Stands for Sun Protection Factor and only determines protection from UVB rays. Dermatologists recommend applying a minimum SPF of 30.
- PA: The Protection Grade of UVA is measured via plus signs (+) – the more pluses, the better the protection.
- Broad-spectrum: Absorbs or blocks both UVA and UVB rays. So if you are wondering does sunscreen prevent tanning, if it's broad spectrum then yes, it largely will.
- Chemical sunscreen: These widely-used formulas contain chemical compounds that absorb and neutralise UV rays within the skin.
- Mineral sunscreen: Also called "physical" sunscreen, they contain natural reflectors, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that largely physically block the sun and reflect UV rays away from the body.
- Reef safe: Some chemical sunscreens can be damaging to aquatic life when they rinse off your skin into the water supply or ocean. According to Save the Reef, this is any sunscreen product with ingredients that “aren't on the HEL List".
Should you apply SPF before or after moisturiser?
The question of applying sunscreen or moisturiser first is a common one for those who are newer to skincare. But the rule of thumb is to make sure sunscreen is always the last step within your skincare routine (before applying makeup, if you wear it). This means, you should apply your SPF after moisturiser in order for the protective layer to shields your skin from harmful UV rays effectively.
For those with very oily skin, many dermatologists say that sunscreen alone is sufficient in the summer months during the day if you find that moisturiser and sunscreen is too much for your skin to abrosb.
What sunscreen is the most environmentally friendly?
Today, a sunscreen formula not harming the environment is seen as almost, if not equally as important as protecting our skin. Even the best facial sunscreen won't be able to accompany you on all coastal holidays if it isn't "reef safe". In order to protect their coastlines and underwater habitats, some parts of the world have committed to sunscreen bans on chemical sunscreens – and even some mineral ones – that contain ingredients that aren't considered reef safe.
Currently, Hawaii, Key West (Florida), Palau, Rivera Maya (Mexico), Los Cabos (Mexico), Bonaire, Aruba, and the US Virgin Islands have sunscreen bans in place that don't allow the delivery or sale of specific products to their region. It's good to be aware of this before travelling so you can pack compliant sunscreens.
