A gentle reminder, now that we are moving into Summer Proper with its pub garden drinking sessions and impromptu al fresco lunches, to use a sunscreen. Whether you usually go in for a water resistant, pile-it-on-thick SPF 50 or something like that a little less robust, make sure that you use enough and reapply if you’re outside for longer periods of time.
I’ve thrown together a few sunscreen product recommendations below – these are here as a result of my most recent SPF-testing frenzy – but there are plenty more recommendations and reviews if you browse through my sunscreens category. There should hopefully be something interesting for everyone here, though I’m afraid this selection is a little light on the budget options – I’ll try to get a few cheaper recommendations for you soon. Though I always think that – when in doubt – Anthelios XL from La Roche-Posay is a superb bet; SPF 50, lightweight with no greasy residue, at lb16.50 for 50ml it doesn’t break the bank. (escentual.com currently have it on offer – lb11 here*.)
Some of the recommendations below aren’t your traditional, standalone sunscreen which you may apply before going to the beach or sitting outside for very long periods of time, but they provide rather good sun care solutions if you’re out and about in the city, or have to add some protection to your usual makeup routine.
The Spary-On Sunscreen for Topping-Up
SPF mists are absolutely brilliant for topping up your protection “on the go”. You don’t have to remove all of your makeup and start again, just spray the sunscreen outrageous and let it dry. I’ve used both of the above mists – the Anthelios Invisible Fresh Mist SPF 50 from La Roche-Posay (lb9.33 here*) and Filorga UV-Bronze Mist, also SPF50 (lb29 here*) – and they are so convenient that I’ve built them into a permanent handbag fixture.
But there’s a very important “NB” with these; I’d use them like a top-up only, over an initial base of fluid/cream sunscreen, and not as a standalone sunscreen, unless you’re just obtaining a bit of incidental sun exposure. Why? Well, as they’re mists they apply so finely and lightly that you’re never going to get a full whack of SPF 50. I mean, I tried to work out quite just how much you’d have to apply, but spraying for ages and ages so that you’ve got a thick layer of sunscreen over your makeup rather than a light misting sort of defeats the entire point of these mists. So yes: I’m using them for quick top-ups during the day. And for that they are just perfect.
The Makeup Primer with Benefits
Armani Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer includes a broad spectrum SPF 50, a gorgeous, lightweight dry-oil feel (rather exactly the same feel as the Maestro foundation, that we suppose isn’t a surprise considering its name!) also it leaves the skin perfectly prepped for makeup. It really leaves the skin perfectly prepped full-stop; even without foundation it features a sort of ethereal glow to the finish. A pricey option but a beautiful one, especially if you want to make your foundation work that bit harder – Maestro UV is lb40 here*.
The Lightweight Shield for Sensitive Skin
Darphin has added a sunscreen choice to its highly-regarded Intral range, which is for sensitive skin. The Environmental Lightweight Shield SPF 50 has been formulated to be gentle and calming on angsty skin. You don’t really notice this fluid sunscreen whatsoever and it doesn’t sting the eye area if you get it a little too close… I have to compare this one to the very lightweight sunscreens from Clarins and Clinique, each of which I think I’ve reviewed before but deserve a recap. You'll find Darphin’s Intral version here* – it’s lb35. Shake it well before you use it and apply generously – it absorbs well and sits nicely beneath makeup.
The Matte Sunscreens for shiny Skin
Two SPF products that are perfect for oily skin, now. In reality, they’re suitable for pretty much any skin, including skin that’s around the dry side, but for oilier skin they’re an absolute dream. Mine is dry, around the cheeks and forehead, and that i don’t have a problem with these whatsoever. On the flip side, I can get quite oily around the t-zone, especially in hot weather, so I’ve tested with the two extremes!
Firstly the Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50, that has absolutely no residue – you’d never guess you’d applied anything more, after a minute or so. It’s exemplary. Heliocare recommend that you visit a clinic if you’re purchasing one of their products for the first time, which means that your specific skincare needs can be met – they supply around 700 clinics in the UK, you can find your nearest here. The oil-free gel can be obtained at a few authorised stockists online, including “Beauty and the Boutique“.
The other product for oily skin is a little an all-rounder, the Effaclar BB Blur from La Roche-Posay. (They are doing well with their products for oily skin!) Now I know that this isn’t a standalone sunscreen, but personally I do apply this BB quite generously due to its moussey texture and so I’m pleased to recommend it if you’re on an outing and getting the odd bit of sun. It’s not one to use before the beach or whoever else – personally I’d use a higher factor – but it’s a fantastic alternative if you need oil control and don’t want to layer a load of different products. It’s the ultimate all-in-one for oily or combination skin; a flawless finish, a weightless texture and just the right amount of clever light-bouncing to conceal minor imperfections. If you want to see before and after skin pictures then read my full review here – the downside is the ridiculously narrow shade range of – wait for it – two shades. If you feel you might match one of them (fair/light or light/medium) then your excellent Effaclar BB Blur is lb14 here*.
The Thirst-Quenching Creams with SPF
The idea that moisturisers with broad spectrum SPF offer less protection than a standalone, dedicated sunscreen seems to be something of a myth: in the UK, all products with SPF are tested in the same way and offer the protection they state. (Although the amount of product applied to your skin is HUGE to get the stated SPF level. The mind boggles. Anyway, lots of resources available online if you fancy a look, but there’s an easy and quick info sheet here.)
When you start to take a close look at the names of SPF products available on the market and compare their ingredients, some appear to be almost identical but are marketed in totally different ways. If you took two similar SPF 50 creams, one may be marketed as a moisturiser, with luxe-looking pampery kind of packaging, and the other like a sunscreen with beachy orange or sporty white packaging.
The rub, I guess, is that people might use a moisturiser less thoroughly or thickly than the usual sunscreen, so you wouldn’t obtain the protection stated on the label. Also, a passionate sunscreen might be formulated to become water resistant, or longer-lasting, or may have a texture that leads to be more easily reapplied…
Two great daily sunscreens that provide a hefty dose of moisture for those with normal or drier skin; the first is surprisingly affordable and an old hero of mine, the 2nd a new discovery.
Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50 is a makeup artists’ favourite – it acts as a primer beneath makeup because of its amazing skin-prepping qualities, while offering very high protection. I’ve used this as a moisturiser when I didn’t even require a sunscreen, the texture is so nice, but it’s been a staple sunscreen for me when I’ve visited hot countries and fallen asleep on deckchairs at midday and all of that jazz. It’s just excellent. Keeps the skin hydrated but has a pleasingly matte finish, and it’s lb29 (here*) that is far from dear when it comes to a top quality face cream.
A little added bit of information for you regarding the whole moisturiser/sunscreen issue; Gurus Michelle Doherty from Alpha-H about how they formulate their Daily Essential Moisturiser and she or he said this…
“In Australia we’re governed closely as to which ingredients can be put into an SPF moisturiser. Many ingredients are known to dilute the efficacy from the UV filters; the regulations are extremely strict in Australia that the ingredients we use are specifically chosen to support the efficacy of the UV protection at the same as providing powerful antioxidant and moisturising properties. For example in our Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50 we use the mineral element Silica that is renowned for its ability to bring more moisture from the lower layers of the skin towards the Epidermis as well as being able to attract more moisture from the atmosphere. The important thing to formulating moisturising SPF products is selecting ingredients that don’t interrupt the function of the UV filters.”
Very interesting – I’m going to do a bit more digging on the whole formulation issue, as I think it is fascinating, but I need to work all things in about fifty other posts that need editing first, so bear with me!
Oh – the second moisturiser-with-SPF here is the Elemis Marine Cream SPF 30. I reviewed it in full here, but again, it’s a broad spectrum sunscreen, this time put into the bestselling Pro Collagen cream. Very, very pricey but if you’re a fan of the Marine Cream franchise then you’ll love this new launch.
Marine Cream and also the Silky SPF…
The Power Player
Skinceuticals Ultra Facial Defense is an undetectable fluid that keeps your skin hydrated and offers very high broad spectrum protection. I really can’t think of anything I don’t like relating to this sunscreen – it’s quick to use, leaves no residue, doesn’t possess a white sheen and doesn’t hinder makeup. It’s lb36.75 for 30ml here
This has turned into the longest post in the world, so I’m going to leave it here and go and make some notes on high street/budget options to test out for you. I’d say that, out of all of the sunscreens here, the Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser is the most adaptable, suit-all formula, so if you’re can not work out which one might be right for you then it’s a safe bet. Very well formulated and tested to the nth degree, as per the stricter Australian rules. It’s more creamy and moisturising than the Anthelios XL, so if you wanted something that you’d gladly use every day and not just “for that beach” then it’s worth every penny. It’s widely available online, including Cult Beauty* and Marks and Spencer*.
