Ask any beauty editor, makeup artist or A-lister what skincare product they couldn’t live without and nine times out of 10 they will say sunscreen.
We’re not talking about the factor 15 you pick up in Departures on your way to the Balearics, sunscreen for your face is big business and if you’re not using it, you may as well be done with the bounty of lotions and potions in the bathroom. SPF is top of the list when it comes to protecting your skin and, to sound unashamedly superficial, keep you looking young.
Suncream isn’t just for summer though- from overcast days to computer screen, harmful rays can wreak havoc on our skin. To avoid skin cancer, wrinkles and premature ageing, it’s so important to include an SPF in your daily skincare routine.Read on for our favourites plus the seven golden rules to applying sun cream to your face…
- Wear SPF on your face every day, even in winter.
- Apply over your moisturiser and before your foundation.
- Always choose an SPF of 50 at least.
- Reapply throughout the day if you come in contact with water or are sweating.
- Always apply before you go out in the sun.
- Use approximately half a teaspoon of product for your face or more if the consistency doesn’t feel like it’s covering the entire face.
- Don’t forget your ears and neck.
The A-Listers’ Favourite
Skin Insurance SPF 50+ | Sarah Chapman | £56
Sarah Chapman’s celebrity client lists reads like the invite list to the Oscar’s after party – Victoria Beckham, Gigi Hadid, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts and Meghan Markle to name just a few – so you can guarantee her products are worth their high-end price tag.
Think of her Skin Insurance SPF 50+ as an SPF with a little bit more, thanks to its optical blurring technology, adaptive tints and light-scattering particles. In short, it will give you glowy, slightly covered skin without the need for heavy foundation, and a safe broad-spectrum protection from strong sun, HEV and daily aggressors.
The Makeup Artist’s Choice
360 Oil-Free Gel SPF 50 | Heliocare | £22.50
There isn’t a makeup artist worth their salt who doesn’t have this in their kit and while it might not look like the sexiest of products, it does the job.
Drying with a pure matte finish, it’s the perfect base for applying makeup on top of without that greasy feeling that makes your base slide out of place. Due to the no-oil formula it’s also great for acne-prone skin and any extra perspiration brought on my warm weather days. Heliocare also protects skin at its surface against damage caused by UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A, and defends against free radical and DNA damage.
The Skincare Junky’s Favourite
Timexpert Sun’s Anti-Ageing Protective Fluid Tinted SPF50| Germaine de Capuccini |£49.20
Any skincare guru knows that sometimes a 10 step skincare routine just ain’t cutting it. Germaine de Capuccini’s product fights ageing and protects the skin, all while combating wrinkles and dark spots.
The ultra-light texture is great for anyone with combination skin, and you’re guaranteed with protection against UVA, UVB, infrared and blue light. Concentrated ginger extract also has powerful anti-pollution properties, so you can keep your skin clear and glowing all year round.
The Doctor Certified Choice
Combining no nasties, non profit and certified by a British dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon, Altruist’s range on sun care might just be one of the best. Portions of their profist got o various charitites, so you can rest easy knowing you’re taking the best care of your skin, while giving back to those in need.
The sunscreens have a 5 star UVA rating, and in 2021 49% of packaging was made from recycled plastic- it’s a no brainer.
The Handbag Essential
UncompliKated SPF 50 | Kate Sommerville | £32
Few sun creams come as handy or as hard working as this; Kate Sommerville’s shine-free, ultra-fine mist spray. If you’ve not heard the name, Kate is basically a skincare guru to the AAA List – think Eva Mendes, Kate Hudson, and Kirsten Dunst – and her unique SPF is without a doubt the easiest way to apply throughout the day.
The French Pharmacy Favourite
Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ | La Roche-Posay | £13.10
As affordable sun creams go, French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay is brilliant. The lightweight fluid glides effortlessly across skin, absorbing fast to avoid that greasy look and feel. It has staying power too with a sand, sweat and water-resistant promise – perfect for popping your beach bag. UVA, UVB and infrared protection shields delicate and damage-prone skin and because it’s a simple, french pharmacy formula it’s not full of nasty toxins.
The Water Resistant One
Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50 | Thank You Farmer £20
Weird name, great product: Thank You Farmer hails from South Korea and every beauty junky knows that SoKo skincare is where it’s at. The sun cream’s featherweight formula and filters provide consistent, invisible protection from the damaging effects of UV rays. Plus, this one’s water-resistant too.
The Prime And Protect One
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin™ Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF 50 Sunscreen + Primer
Suncream has a bad rep for that white cast it can leave on your skin; enter Beauty Pie and their super light weight SPF that doubles as sun protection and the perfect makeup primer. Complete with light-absorbing DNA SHIELD + Chromophores to help fight inflammation and sun damage, Vitis Vita Grape Extract for skin detoxification and rehydration, plus VitaFreeze active Tomato Stem Cell Extract – a natural blend of Peptides and Sugar Molecules that reduce the level of stress-induced reactive oxygen species.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
