The best face sunscreens in the UK: 10 lightweight, non-greasy SPFs for every skin type – tested

4 hours ago 10

There’s nothing quite like the warmth of the sun on your face after a long, dreary winter. But before you bask in it, you should always apply an SPF. That’s especially true if you use vitamin C and retinol serums, which can increase your vulnerability to sun damage. If you’re not wearing an SPF every day, you might as well toss the rest of your skincare out of the window.

As well as the risk of sunburn, UV rays cause longer-lasting, deeper skin damage, resulting in age spots, pigmentation and premature ageing. But if the thought of slathering sticky sunscreens on your face every day makes you want to spend your life in perpetual shade, you’ve come to the right place.

Dedicated facial SPFs are designed to feel weightless, sit well under makeup and leave no trace on the skin, so you can skip that ghostly white cast or looking like a greasy mess. I’ve spent the past three months putting the most popular face SPFs to the test; you’ll find my pick of the best below.

At a glance

Best face SPF overall:
Beauty of Joseon relief sun rice + probiotics

£12.40 for 50ml at Cult Beauty

Best budget face SPF:
E45 Sensitive Sun face cream

£10.39 for 50ml at Amazon

Best face sunscreen for oily skin:
Haruharu Wonder black rice moisture airyfit daily sunscreen

£11.20 for 50ml at Stylevana

Best face sunscreen for dry skin:
Laneige Hydro UV Defense Ex

£20.80 for 50ml at John Lewis

Best face sunscreen spray:
Naked Sundays hydrating glow face mist

£24 for 75ml at Cult Beauty

Why you should trust me

As a beauty writer, I’m constantly testing new skincare. I’ve worn face SPF every day for the past five years, and tested 30 formulations for this roundup, so I’ve become well acquainted with the best and worst aspects of a facial sunscreen.

I’ve also completed a course in cosmetic science, which has taught me everything I need to know about how a brand might formulate an SPF, and what to check for in an ingredients list. It also taught me what works for different skin types, including sensitive skin. These recommendations are the result of months of testing and my analysis of any skincare benefits.

How I tested

I started with each sunscreen’s formulation. Sun sticks, sprays, creams and lotions all have advantages and disadvantages, but I was looking for those that would apply smoothly, without leaving a greasy film or white cast on the skin. They also had to play nicely with makeup and skincare serums. Over each day of testing, I took note of how well each SPF lasted on my face. Any extra oil buildup, stinging in my eyes or makeup separation were huge red flags.

Many SPFs for the face also include skincare benefits. In those cases, I checked for extra protective antioxidant ingredients, hydrating humectants or other hard-working actives on top of the UV filters.

Efficacy is tricky to judge without a skin-imaging camera. However, advanced facialist Mariam Abbas reassured me that “for an SPF to be approved for retail sale, it must undergo stringent safety and efficacy testing. This process is expensive and time-consuming, so if you see an SPF on the shelf, the brand has already met significant regulatory standards.” Any facial SPFs I’ve included here are at least SPF30, with UVA protection, since this is the minimum protection recommended by experts. Sunscreen from many Asian countries uses PA as the rating system for UVA protection (SPF is a measure of UVB protection). The more pluses that come after the PA, the better the protection you’re getting.

The best face SPFs in 2026

The best of the rest

What you need to know

How much sunscreen should I apply to my face, and what factor should I use?

“For the face and neck, apply about half a teaspoon, roughly two finger-lengths of product,” advises consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips. This amount will provide the labelled level of protection.

Most experts recommend opting for at least SPF30, or higher, if you spend a lot of time outdoors. But the SPF rating isn’t all you should consider, as this only protects against UVB. “UVA protection is equally important,” continues Phillips. “Look for the UVA circle logo, which indicates the product meets EU standards.”

While this is the most common sign of UVA protection in the UK, other grading systems are used. You may also encounter a star rating, where five stars indicate the best protection. If buying a sunscreen from some Asian countries, such as Japan or Korea, check for the PA system, where PA+ offers the lowest protection, and PA++++ is the highest.

Reapplying SPF is key to achieving the best sun protection. “The general guideline is to reapply SPF every two to three hours,” says advanced facialist Mariam Abbas. “However, SPF breaks down more quickly with sun exposure, heat, sweat and water. If you’re at the beach, exercising outdoors, swimming or spending extended time in direct sunlight, you’ll need to be more diligent about reapplication.”

What’s the difference between UVA and UVB protection?

Fundamentally, sunscreens protect you from UVA and UVB rays. They have different impacts on the skin.

“UVA are the longest rays that penetrate the skin all the way to the dermis,” says Abbas. “UVB are shorter, so they penetrate the epidermis and cause tanning, sunburn and skin cancer.” UVA’s effects are more gradual and covert. “They break down collagen and cause skin ageing, and can pass through clouds and glass.” This is why experts recommend wearing facial SPF every day, even if you’re staying indoors.

Chemical vs mineral SPFs

Thanks to their physical mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, mineral SPFs work as soon as they’re applied. However, since the mineral filters provide sun protection by reflecting UV light, they tend to leave a white cast on the skin. According to Phillips, “older formulations used larger [mineral] particles that reflected and scattered more UV light”. Newer formulations use smaller mineral particles, but are still reflective and more likely than chemical sunscreens to leave a white cast on darker skin tones.

Instead of using reflective mineral filters, chemical SPFs use chemicals that absorb harmful UV rays. They tend to be lighter in texture and can blend into the skin without leaving a trace. But they don’t work instantly; to allow a protective film to form, always wait 15-20 minutes before sun exposure.

As a rule, mineral sunscreens are better tolerated by those with very sensitive skin. At the same time, I have sensitive skin and have never had a problem with any of the non-mineral sunscreens above. If you have sensitive, darker skin, it may be worth trying a sunscreen that’s been formulated specifically for sensitivity before resigning yourself to an ashy complexion.

Should sunscreen go on top of or underneath makeup?

“Apply sunscreen after your usual moisturiser and before makeup,” says Phillips. “When reapplying, it’s fine to apply on top of makeup, although using a generous amount is still important.”

Some SPFs don’t layer well with makeup. The most common complaint is pilling, which is when products roll up on your skin as you apply them.

“SPF tends to pill when it can’t form an even film on the skin,” continues Phillips. This usually happens when your previous layer of skincare hasn’t fully absorbed. Before you rush out to buy a new SPF, he says, “keep your morning routine simple and allow each layer to settle before applying the next”.

For more, read our guide on how to build a skincare routine

Can I just use a body sunscreen on my face?

“There’s no hard-and-fast rule against using a body SPF on the face. It will still provide protection from UV rays,” says Abbas. I can also understand the temptation, since a 50ml facial SPF often costs the same as a 200ml body sunscreen. Sadly, it’s not so simple.

“Facial SPFs are typically developed with greater precision, considering factors such as ingredients that won’t sting the eyes or sensitise the skin.” Furthermore, Abbas says, “Body SPFs tend to be richer and heavier, which can be comedogenic when used on the face. This may lead to blocked pores and breakouts, and can also cause makeup to pill.”

Does sunscreen expire?

Yes. Phillips says, “the filters can degrade over time and become less effective”. So, it’s always worth checking the expiry dates on your sunscreen, regardless of whether it’s for face or body.

They tend to last six to 12 months after opening, but remain stable for up to three years if unopened. To check the expiry time, look for a small period-after-opening symbol on the bottle, which looks like an open tub. This should contain the length of time a product is safe for – “12M” would mean 12 months. Occasionally, sunscreens will also be marked with a normal expiry date, as you’d find on food.

For more:
The best eye creams for banishing bags, puffiness and fine lines
The best anti-ageing creams, serums and treatments
The best vitamin C serums – tested

Sarah Matthews is a consumer journalist who’s spent the past four years testing more beauty products than she can count. Whether that’s hi-tech skincare gadgets, hair stylers or swanky new cosmetics, she’s never far away from discovering something new to love or loathe. Regardless of what hits her desk, face SPF is a non-negotiable in her morning skincare routine

Read Entire Article