Picking the best sunscreen for your face will keep your skin protected daily.
Here, our beauty team and a panel of dermatologists share their favourites.
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Using the best sunscreen for your face every day, rain or shine is an essential aspect of skincare.
All experts agree that using thebest sun creamsis a non-negotiable way of keeping your skin safe.
UVA causes skin ageing and hyperpigmentation.
UVB causes damage that increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
We narrowed down our favourite picks and spoke to several dermatologists to get their expert take on each buy.
And these work behind the scenes to banish the pesky free radicals which can speed up the ageing process.
“It’s also non-comedogenic which means it’s safe for acne-prone skin too.
Plus it is made by an experienced dermatologist and is very hydrating.”
Heliocare 360 Oil Free Gel SPF50
SPF and oily skin dont tend to play nicely together.
The oil-free formula glides onto skin before becoming quickly dry to the touch.
Once on, we found it sits nicely under make-up, and doesnt contribute to the dreaded 3pm shine.
It didn’t block our pores either, leaving skin clear and fresh.
The colour is ever-so-slightly tinted, which makes it a great all-rounder for all skin tones.
spray, cream, gel etc,“says consultant dermatologistDr Emma Wedgeworth.
“It’s hydrating and applies easily.
It’s particularly useful if you have dry skin.”
Plus it’s both water and sweat resistant, making it a good contender for hotter days.
We loved using this on a particularly sweltering summer day, skin felt comfortable and soothed.
“Water and sweat resistant, it contains powerful antioxidants to protect against UVB and UVA damage.”
If that sounds like you, youre not alone.
Its completely transparent, so wont leave you with tell-tale white dots on your skin.
“This means it protects from both infrared and visible blue light.
It’s a quick drying transparent spray which can be worn over or under cosmetics.”
Actinic Keratosis appears on the skin as dry, scaly spots and is often clay-like in colour.
It can become malignant if left untreated.
Remember to check your skin regularly for any changes, and visit your GP if youre concerned.
As for the formula, we found it to be impressively lightweight for an SPF 100.
The yellowish colour absorbs quickly with no white cast.
Theres no added fragrance and it wont sting if some does end up near your eyes.
The addition of glycerin helps skin to hold onto moisture, even in warm, drying conditions.
Our blemish-prone tester loved the texture of this, and the grease-free finish.
This ticks all those boxes”
9.
Its lovely and light and feels cool on the skin, which is a welcome treat on warm days.
“Aka the more pollutant protection the better.
It has a luxurious, velvety texture and creates such a smooth canvas that it doubles as aprimeras well.
We like wearing it on no-make-up days too to take the edge off of large pores and other imperfections.
If thats not enough to sway you, the skincare benefits might.
Mushroom peptides and cucumber extracts work behind the scenes to restore firmness and moisture.
It’s ideal before make up.”
This two-in-one make-up setting spray and SPF might just be the best facial sunscreen for you.
It looks good too, with light-diffusing silicones leaving skin looking like its been graced by a soft-focus filter.
I also like that it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes,“says dermatologist Dr. Anton.
Its lightweight, and doesnt make your face feel hot or caked in product.
The finish is smooth and silky with a subtle glow.
The ideal base for make-up.
Dermatologist verdict:Dr Anton Alexandroff likes this mineral-chemical hybrid for it’s added spot fighting powers.
“It helps to treat spots, hydrates skin, lightens dark spots and protects against new dark spots.
A little goes a long way, so apply slowly, you could always add more.
“They are effective and are developed to suit patients with and without skin sensitivities or problems.
Dermatologist verdict:Harley Street consultant dermatologistDr Ophelia Veraitch, rates this formula.
“This contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin which are great for maintaining the skin barrier,” she says.
Dermatologist verdict:Dr. Veraitch’s verdict is, “It is water resistant so good for summer holidays.
I like that this formulation is fragrance-free too.
Very fair pale skin could benefit from increasing the SPF to 50.”
Unfortunately, not all sunscreen manufacturers have cottoned on to the importance of suitable shades for all skin tones.
Mineral v Chemical - what’s the difference?
Ultimately, its down to personal preference.
Dont be afraid to play around with different formulas until you find the right one.
I find the chemical ones easier to blend into the skin,” she tells us.
When to apply your face sunscreen?
The general consensus from the experts is to apply 20 minutes before heading out into the sun.
It reduces the risk of any skin having missed sunscreen and ensures a generous quantity to fight the rays.
Is SPF30 or SPF50 better for your face?
An SPF 30 will protect you from 97 per cent of UVB rays.
That number rises to 98 percent protection with SPF 50,according to dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross.
If you find SPF50s too heavy, you may be less likely to apply liberally and regularly.
What SPF doesnt take into account is UVA.
These pesky rays are present all year round, and can penetrate through clouds and glass.
Good software is also vital for adequate protection.
Pay special attention to easy-to-miss spots like the top of your ears and temples.
Is the SPF in my moisturiser enough?
Should you wear sunscreen on your face everyday?
Yes, you should wear facial sun cream every day.
Experts stress that sunscreen for the face is an all-year-round requirement, not just for the summer months.
Can you wear normal suncream on your face?
These features may not be present in a body sun cream.
A body sun cream would be more likely to contain perfumes to enhance its use.
If you want to use a body sun cream choose one created for the most sensitive skin.”
Dr Emma Wedgeworth is a Consultant Dermatologist with a passion for healthy skin.
She treats patients of all ages, seeing both adults and children.
Dr. Gitta Neufang began her career at Beiersdorf AG in 2003 as a researcher for sensitive skin.
His areas of interest include acne, eczema, psoriasis, blistering conditions and skin cancer.
He has over 20 years of experience in Dermatology.
Dr Abha Gulati is a UK-trained consultant dermatologist here at 108 Harley Street.
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