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Stylist Loves
17 of the best sunscreens to wear under make-up, according to Stylist’s beauty experts
By Lucy Partington &Chloe Burcham
2 years ago
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
6 min read
We’ve rounded up the best SPFs to wear under make-up or alone. They’re non-greasy, non-ashy and won’t break you out.
We know it’s all we ever harp on about, but if there’s one beauty truth in this world, it’s that it’s imperative for every person to wear at least factor 30 sunscreen every single day. In fact, it’s essentially become our mission to make sure that happens. (Can you tell we’re passionate about it?) And given that 90% of skin ageing is caused by UVA and UVB rays, it’s for good reason.
And now that summer’s upon us, the SPF in your moisturiser or foundation categorically isn’t enough – you need a separate product. Plus, it’s been proven that wearing sunscreen can help improve existing wrinkles, pigmentation and texture.
That said, we’re aware that SPF can be a divisive topic. Some think they’re better than it (you’re not), others think they don’t need to wear it in the UK even in the summer (you absolutely do, all year round), some believe it’s too thick, white, greasy or oily and it causes them to break out in spots (not if you choose the right formula).
It’s also vital that you still wear sunscreen when you’re not outside. Believe it or not, UVA rays can penetrate both clouds and windows. So even when you’re sitting daydreaming at your desk, it’s essential that you protect your skin as much as possible.
Don’t despair, though, because SPF has come a long way in the last few years. Formulas are so much better and less visible than ever before, which means they’re much nicer to use and sit well under make-up.
Trust me, though, we get it: finding the perfect product that works for you and your skin type can be difficult. So, in a bid to make things slightly easier, we’ve rounded up the best sunscreens that we’ve used (and finished) in the last few months. Just in case you’re interested, we apply sunscreen every morning as the last step in our skincare routines, after cleansing and vitamin C and before either primer or foundation.
All of the products mentioned below come on the recommendation of Stylist’s expert beauty team. So please: make us happy, do the right thing. Pick one, treat yourself, protect your skin and let us know how you get on.
17 best face SPFs to wear under make-up, as loved by the Stylist beauty team
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen
“This lightweight, milky formula is made with mineral zinc-oxide, meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays and is suitable for even sensitive skin types.”
Shop Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen at Cult Beauty, £36
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
“Primer-like in texture, this sunscreen is velvety soft and sheer – a transparent, melting formula that disappears into the skin, creating a blurring effect under make-up.
With broad-spectrum protection, it’s a non-greasy formula that doesn’t leave my skin ashy or purple (a common concern with sun cream). It’s also sweat and water-resistant, so perfect for holidays. Can you tell I wear it every day? I wear it every day.”
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+ Lightweight Skinscreen
“SPFs have come a long way in recent years, and this feather-light sunscreen proves that. It feels almost invisible on the skin, hydrating like a serum and protecting against free radical damage with vitamin C. It’s like your final step of skincare… while boasting SPF50+. Ideal.”
Shop Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50+ Lightweight Skinscreen at Cult Beauty, £37
Sun Bum Original Glow Lotion SPF30+
“Perfect for giving your complexion a lit-from-within glow while protecting your skin, this moisturising SPF leaves your skin feeling moisturised and looking radiant.”
Shop Sun Bum Original Glow Lotion SPF 30+ at Cult Beauty, £19.99
Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA ++++
“Murad’s City Skin Age Defense formulation helps protect the skin from the effects of free radicals – think pollution and the blue light from our screens, all of which cause damage.
It also contains vitamin C to brighten the skin, brilliant for addressing uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.”
Shop Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA ++++ at Lookfantastic, £66
Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30
“Medik8 is one of my favourite skincare brands that I trust implicitly, and I love that this feels more like a hydrating moisturiser than anything else. It’s free of alcohol and fragrance, it has antioxidant protection and it has additional blue light defence, too.”
Shop Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30 at Lookfantastic, £57
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Protection Invisible SPF50+ Face Mist
“A supremely easy to use spray, this sunscreen is brilliant for oily and blemish-prone skin. It’s lightweight and moisturising, leaving a thin, invisible layer of protection on the skin. Breathable and long-lasting, it’s a good one to pop in your bag pre-holiday.”
Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist
“I’ve been using this super-fine SPF spray on myself and anyone in the nearby vicinity for the last month or so. It’s truly invisible (on any skin tone), absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling plump and dewy – perfect over skincare and under make-up.”
Shop Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist at Beauty Bay, £30
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 with ceramides
“This SPF50 moisturiser is hydrating without being greasy, affordable yet efficacious and formulated with niacinamide to reduce redness, improve resilience and regulate oil production in the skin.”
Shop CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 with Ceramides at Lookfantastic, £16.50
Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF50 Soft Focus Make-Up Setting Spray
“Another one to pop in your sunscreen wardrobe – Kate Somerville’s genius SPF50 spray protects and sets make-up, leaving a softly diffused, smooth appearance to the skin.”
Shop Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF50 Soft Focus Make-Up Setting Spray, £36
Bondi Sands Fragrance-Free Broad Spectrum SPF50+
“Perfect for people with sensitive skin, this broad-spectrum SPF is water-resistant, meaning it won’t slip or slide off with humidity, sweat or, of course, water.”
Shop Bondi Sands Fragrance-Free Broad Spectrum SPF50+, £6.99
Lancaster Sun Protective Water SPF50
“A refreshing, sheer fluid that doesn’t leave a residue of any sort behind, this SPF water spray feels cooling and hydrating on the skin. Best applied before make-up, this spray is fast-absorbing, but do wait a few minutes before using complexion products to make sure the SPF has sunk in.”
Shop Lancaster Sun Protective Water SPF50 at Lookfantastic, £31
Glossier Invisible Shield SPF30
“I wish I’d tried Invisible Shield a lot sooner. It’s slightly fragranced, which I’m not necessarily a fan of, but the fact that it truly is invisible on the skin, doesn’t leave any sort of greasy residue or film, and the addition of antioxidants means this has shot straight into my top three of all time (which, as I’m sure is already obvious, is a list that I take very seriously).”
Avène Very High Protection B-Protect SPF50+ Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin
“As someone with incredibly sensitive, reactive skin, I feel you when you say sunscreen is the devil’s work – another product to wait and see if you break out in itchy splotches from. Categorically not the one.
This formula is designed specifically for our skin type, it contains the brand’s signature thermal spring water to soothe and hydrate sensitive skin, as well as UV and anti-pollution ingredients, too.”
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF50 Sunscreen
“A moisturising, lightweight lotion that sits well under make-up, Skinceuticals is renowned for efficacious products with myriad skincare benefits and this SPF is no different – it helps protect against hyperpigmentation and the damage from sun exposure.”
Shop SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF50 Sunscreen at Lookfantastic, £45
Saltee Face Daily Protection Formula SPF50
“Enriched with moisturising ingredients like avocado oil, neroli oil and vitamin E, this vegan sunscreen is lightweight and soothing, helping to reduce the appearance of redness, tiredness and hyperpigmentation.”
Hello Sunday The Take-Out One Invisible Sun Stick SPF30
“An easy-to-use invisible stick, this SPF30 from Hello Sunday can be swiped along your face and forgotten about. It’s lightweight (and vegan) and works for all skin tones – a godsend if you’re sharing SPF with a friend or partner.”
Shop Hello Sunday The Take-Out One Invisible Sun Stick SPF 30 at Cult Beauty, £18
Images: courtesy of brands
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