Dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts always recommend a daily dose of sunscreen, but you’d be forgiven if you’ve neglected it in your morning beauty routine.
Suffice it to say that, until recently, SPF formulas were far from ideal. Whether you opted for high-end or high-street products, it was hard to find products that weren’t sticky, greasy, stinging to the eyes, or dark products that didn’t leave a grey cast on the skin.
Sure, sunscreen is there to protect you, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise. Why use sunscreen during the day?
While the idea of wearing SPF year-round has slowly caught on in the UK to protect the skin from cancer-causing UVA rays and prevent common skin issues like dark spots and fine lines, it’s fair to say that Australian skincare enthusiasts know a thing or two about the must-have skincare product.
After all, they get a lot more sun than we do. When Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette landed in Space NK last year (followed by Cult Beauty and Sephora), the hype was justified.
From lightweight sunscreen serums to hydrating face creams, these products have five-star reviews, and for good reason: they’re unlike anything skincare fans have tried before.
What’s the best SPF for oily, combination and dry skin? I first picked the Ultra Violette Super Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+, £48. A few quick conversations with friends, family and colleagues revealed that many people aren’t sure about SPF 50 (it’s one of the highest factors and offers great protection) because they’re worried it’ll look chalky or feel heavy on the skin. That makes all the difference with this sunscreen. It’s nourishing enough to double as a moisturiser and primer, but light enough not to leave a white film (reviews agree). It targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation in two ways, and contains brightening vitamin C so you don’t need to layer a serum underneath. If you prefer fragrance-free products or have sensitive skin, try the Clean Screen Sensitive Skinscreen SPF 30 (£32), which is now my favourite (and I’m picky). This is a mineral sunscreen that reflects UV rays at your skin to prevent it from getting white. Two or three pumps work fast and the best part is you don’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all. I layer it over my moisturiser to boost hydration, but it’s so refreshing you can use it on its own too. If you’re acne-prone or have overly oily skin, you’ll love it. If you’re looking for a tinted sunscreen, look no further than Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil (£38). 16 shades offer a pop of colour, combining your favourite tinted moisturiser with powerful sun protection.
Like the rest of the range, it feels less like a typical sunscreen and more like an everyday moisturiser, making it a breeze and a pleasure to use. The range also includes a hydrating lip balm (£16) in four colours (because your lips need sun protection too), an oil-controlling mineral SPF (£34) to curb shine, and a hand and body sunscreen (£27). Do you need an SPF refresh? Skincare expert Holly Thaggard, founder and CEO of Supergoop, says it’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours to maximise its effectiveness, especially on sunny days outdoors! However, I admit that Ultra Violette may not be the cheapest sunscreen brand on the market. TikTok users rave about it
The affordable Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Face Fluid (£7.99) and Eucerin Sun Oil Control Face Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ (£16) are suitable for oily and acne-prone skin and are available at Amazon and Boots.
Dermatologists also recommend Altruist Dermatoographer Sunscreen SPF 50, which is a steal at £4.99. If you wear make-up or don’t like to apply sunscreen with your hands, I would recommend Garnier’s Ambre Solaire Sensitive
Face Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 is available for £8,040. It’s cheap, available in the market and easy to refill.
