Summers are approaching and I am excited as I love spending time in the sun and enjoy the sunshine. But being out in the sun has its own downside. It can damage the skin, cause premature ageing, sunburn & skin cancer and that’s why I take sunscreens very seriously. Checkout more skincare and beauty blogs here.
No matter what the weather is, one should never skip applying sunscreen, especially while stepping outdoors. It protects the skin from harmful UV rays and prevents any skin damage that might happen. Therefore, using a good and effective sunscreen with the right amount of SPF is very important.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The level of protection a sunscreen gives the skin from the UVB, or burning rays is measured by the SPF number it has. It also indicates how long a sun protection product allows us to stay in the sun without getting sunburn.
What do different SPF numbers mean?
A question that many of us struggle with while buying sunscreen is what number of SPF to buy. We usually think that a sunscreen with a higher SPF number will give us better protection than the one with a lower SPF number, but that’s not the case. A sunscreen with SPF30 blocks 97% of the UVB rays, whereas one with SPF50 blocks 98% of UVB rays, so the difference is not that much.
Although using a higher SPF is always a good idea, do remember that SPF only protects us from UVB rays. For overall protection, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF30 is recommended. While staying indoors, when not in direct sunlight, a sunscreen with SPF15 can also work.
Types of sunscreens
There are 2 types of sunscreen commonly found in the market, chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen. A chemical sunscreen soaks into the skin, absorbs the UV rays and changes them into heat and releases them from the body, whereas a physical sunscreen creates a protective barrier on the skin that filters out UV rays.Physical sunscreens tend to be more moisturising, cause less irritation and are best for sensitive skin, but they can be a bit heavy and leave a film on the skin. Chemical sunscreens on the other hand absorb quickly, are thinner and spread easily, which makes them best for swimming & sports.
Both physical and chemical sunscreens are equally effective in protecting against the harmful rays, it is our personal preference which one to choose. Another thing to keep in mind while choosing a sunscreen is to go for a non-comedogenic sunscreen as it doesn’t clog pores and prevents breakouts and acne.
When to apply sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be applied daily, even while staying indoors and one must never-ever skip them while stepping outside no matter what the weather is. A question that many of us have about sunscreen is, in which order it should be applied. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before stepping outside and it should be the final step in your skin care routine and therefore it should be used after the moisturizer. When doing makeup, sunscreen should come before the primer. Primer acts as a barrier between your sunscreen & makeup and keeps its effectiveness intact.
When it comes to protection from the sun, using sunscreen just once a day is not enough, it should be reapplied every 2 hours. While swimming or if one sweats heavily, it is recommended to use a water-resistant sunscreen or apply it more frequently.
Top 10 Face Sunscreens
Now that we know the importance of using SPFon a daily basis, here are 10 face sunscreens to try these summers:
- Bioderma Photoderm Anti-Pigmentation and Ti-Wrinkles Sunscreen SPF50+
This Bioderma Photoderm Anti-Pigmentation and Ti-Wrinkles Sunscreen with SPF50+ moisturises and is ideal for everyday use. It shields against the UV rays and doesn’t feel heavy & sticky, as it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly.
Price – £16.80
Click here to buy!
- Avène Very High Protection B-Protect SPF50+ Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin
Packed with antioxidants, this 3-in-1 Avene Very High Protection Sun Cream with SPF50+ is perfect for sensitive skin. This light coverage, tinted sunscreen protects against the sun & pollutants and covers any spots or blemishes.
Price – £14.00
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- REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF30
REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral with SPF30 is formulated with naturally-derived ingredients such as yellow passionfruit seed extract and soothing rice extract, it forms a protective shield against harmful rays, manages excess oil and gives a matte finish.
Price – £32.00
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- Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield SPF25 Moisturiser and Facial Sunscreen
Give the skin a boost of hydration with Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Sunscreen with SPF25. It is an oil-free, water-gel based sunscreen that protects the skin from sun damage & pollution while keeping it moisturised throughout the day.
Price – £12.99
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- VICHY Idéal Soleil Dry Touch Face Cream SPF 50
VICHY Idéal Soleil Dry Touch Face Cream with SPF 50 provides flawless sun protection by creating a protective film. It has a water-resistant texture & gives a soft, dry-touch finish and doesn’t leave the skin shiny.
Price – £16.50
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- Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA ++++
Shield the skin from UVA/UVB rays, sun damage, pollution and blue light with mineral rich Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum with SPF50 PA ++++. It’s suitable for all skin types, brightens the skin and gives it a soft peach tint.
Price – £60.00
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- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid Sun Cream SPF50
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid Sun Cream SPF50 provides high protection against UV rays. It is water, sweat and sand resistant, which makes it an ideal choice for the day at the beach. Its fluid formula is easy to apply and doesn’t leave white marks.
Price – £13.13
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- Shiseido WetForce Expert Sun Aging Protection Cream SPF30
With a unique WetForce formula, the Shiseido WetForce Expert Sunscreen with SPF30 provides UV protection that becomes even more effective when it comes in contact with water which makes it perfect for a beach day and swimming.
Price – £34.00
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- Dermalogica Pure Light SPF 50 – PowerBright TRx
This medium-weight, day time Dermalogica Pure Light Sunscreen with SPF50 guards the skin from harmful UV rays and reduces hyperpigmentation caused by the sun. It evens skin tone and creates a natural moisture barrier reducing the appearance of fine dehydration lines.
Price – £60.00
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- SkinCeuticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense SPF50 Sunscreen Protection
Boost the skin’s natural defences UV rays and sun damage with SkinCeuticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense Sunscreen with SPF50. It spreads easily on the skin, dries quickly without leaving any residue and gives a nice sheer, weightless matte finish.
Price – £37.00
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Body Sunscreens
Protecting just the face from sun damage is not enough. Securing the body from harmful rays is just as important and that’s why having a separate sun product for that is essential. So, here are some effective body sunscreens:
- Bioderma Photoderm Light Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+
Powered by anti-UVA and UVB technology, this Bioderma Photoderm Light Sunscreen keeps skin safe. Its water-resistant formula spreads over skin effortlessly, creates a protective barrier and prevents sunburns and inflammation.
Price – £17.50
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- Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Body SPF30
This Clinique Mineral Sunscreen is perfect for all skin types, even for sensitive skin. The invisible shield technology of this sunscreen creates an invisible layer and protects the skin. It’s light-weight and super-comfortable to wear.
Price – £26.00
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- VICHY Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water Tan Enhance SPF50
As the name suggests, this VICHY Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water mist hydrates, defends against environmental aggressors and enhances the tan at the same time. It is fast absorbing and is perfect for people who want a nice tan without burning the skin.
Price – £19.00
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- NUXE Sun Melting Spray for Face and Body SPF 50
Ideal for both face and body, this NUXE Sun Melting Spray protects from UV rays, prevents premature ageing and the appearance of pigmentation and sun spots. Its light-weight formula quickly absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Price – £21.00
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- NIVEA Sun Protect & Dry Touch Sunscreen Spray SPF50
NIVEA SUN Protect & Dry Touch Invisible Sun Spray is extra water-resistant and leaves skin feeling refreshed. It’s non-greasy formula, light formula is highly effective and provides immediate protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Price – £08.00
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These are some sunscreens that can help protect the skin from sun and prevent premature ageing and other skin problems. Try them and soak in the sun without the worry of skin damage.
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