Our Five Favourite Facial SPF's That Are A Must This Summer
These Are Our Favourite Facial Products That Contain Added SPFs (Because The Sun Finally Showed Up And We Can't Be Too Careful)...
We shouldn’t have to tell you this but for anyone that needs to hear it we will say it once: a daily facial SPF should be your number one go-to skin product every.single.day. When it’s cloudy, when it’s November....always. It’s the best source of protection you have against skin ageing, skin cancer, wrinkles and pigmentation, bar none. That being said, if you don’t already wear a daily SPF on your skin, now is most definitely the time to begin.
Facial SPFs have really upped their game in the last five years and in addition the market is now saturated with skincare and make-up products with added SPF - so adding an extra layer of sun protection to your routine is ridiculously easy. These come in various formulas and in hybrid formats that blur the line between sun-care, skincare and make-up: they double up as serums, treatments, tints; they’re now anti- pollution, anti oxidant, anti- ageing; and they can blur imperfections, cool your skin or leave a dewy glow- whatever you want.
There are a plethora of multitasking facial products with added spfs out there fighting for your attention- so we’ve whittled it down to our fave 5. These are all high performers in their own right - just choose according to your skin’s needs.
The glow-giving serum: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 £40
Don’t be put off by the price tag: this clean mineral SPF will replace your serum AND base. Fusing light coverage (think gentle coverage that’s just enough to blur imperfections, add a hint of colour and even out skintone) with suncare AND skincare (it acts as a serum rich in hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and plant-based squalane, to plump up, hydrate, soften lines and reduce pigmentation), this really is a do-it-all SPF that shields your skin from UVA, UVB, UVC, Infrared and blue light with a finish that’s dewy and healthy-looking. Extra points for the brand’s clever colour-match system- really simple and genuinely works.
The daily moisturiser: BYBI Day Defence SPF 30 Day Cream £20
This daily cream really bridges that gap between moisturiser and SPF - it’s a lovely light non-greasy moisturiser that provides all broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection from non-nano zinc oxide, while hydrating the skin and repairing it via vitamins A and E. If you want a pared back skincare routine and want just one product that will nourish and moisturise, while protecting from the sun, then this is your bag. It also melts in quickly leaving no greasy residue, so if you’re in a rush you can apply your base straight away.
The skin-brightening one: The Body Shop Glow Protect Lotion SPF30 £15
Another one that shuns the need for moisturiser - this is your morning moisturiser and SPF in one. The addition of vitamin C - which we all know is a key ingredient for boosting our natural radiance and revealing brightness - adds a natural glow. Use as a daily moisturiser for protection, hydration and a treatment in one, or apply before a sun protection product as an extra layer of sun protection.
The one that adds a sun-kissed tint: Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defence SPF 30 £30
View this as an SPF with added tint- as opposed to a bronzing tint with added SPF- as it provides a powerful physical sunscreen with a broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Ideal for daily use in summer when a gorgeous sunkissed tint and healthy-looking glow doesn’t go amiss, although very fair skintones might want to skip the hint of tint and opt for the untinted Umbra formula.
The shine-free one: Heliocare 360 Gel Oil Free SPF 50 £25
An industry favorite, you’ll find one of these in the bathroom cabinet of most beauty editors. Offering a high level of sun protection and with the addition of Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, this is a fuss-free but super-potent SPF force to be reckoned with. It suits anyone but is particularly welcome on oily and problematic skin types that often end up with unwanted shine, grease or clogged pores from other suncare products. It provides a welcome dry-touch texture and a matte finish that sits comfortably under make-up.
The ultra-protective one: Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA++++ £30
The ultra-lightweight super-comfortable non-sticky texture of this sunscreen means that you won’t notice it on your skin - and yet its advanced filter system provides an all-time high of protection. Tested in humid conditions it absorbs quickly, hydrating and defending skin while leaving it looking shine-free and feeling smooth. The addition of pollution protection makes it a must for anyone working or living in a busy city.