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9 of the best face sunscreens for holiday season
Written byLiz Connor
Reviewed byH&B Regulatory Affairs
SPFs that work hard while you play hard, keeping your skin happy, healthy and holiday-ready from sunrise to sunset – with expert advice from a consultant dermatologist
Our top picks
24-hour hydration
Cetaphil
Cetaphil SPF 30 Daily Defence Face Moisturiser 50ml
Free Biotin when you spend £20
£16.50
Promotes glowing skin
Q+A
Q+A Squalane SPF50 Hydrating Daily Facial Sunscreen 50ml
Free Biotin when you spend £20
£12.00
RRP £15.00
Broad spectrum UVA
Antipodes
Antipodes SPF50 Supernatural Ceramide Silk Facial Sunscreen 60ml
Free Biotin when you spend £20
£34.00
Planning to jet off to balmier climates this year? Beyond your passport and clean pants, arguably the most important item in your suitcase is a decent sun protection.
Most of us know that slathering on a daily layer of SPF is a non-negotiable for protecting skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, which can cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer.
“Extended UV exposure to the skin can result in premature aging,” clarifies consultant dermatologist Justine Hextall.1 “So if you want to protect your skin from photodamage like wrinkles, dyspigmentation, loss of firmness and textural change, then an SPF with both UVA and UVB protection is essential.”2
If you’re in the market for a really good, protective sunscreen that will see you through the warmer season and beyond, we’ve got you covered. Our pick of the best skincare-first formulas hydrate, brighten and balance, all while keeping you safe in the sun.
Armour up with SPF: our top picks
If you battle oily skin on the daily, the last thing you’ll want is a greasy sunscreen that clogs pores and triggers a breakout mid-holiday.
“Not only does this light fluid SPF50 have good UVA protection, it also includes niacinamide – a form of vitamin B3 that’s good for helping to reduce dyspigmentation,” Dr Hextall notes.3
“It’s a great option for blemish-prone skin, but works well across all skin tones.”
Nervous about adding something new into your routine that could disrupt your already delicate skin?
“This daily SPF is a smart pick for dry, delicate skin,” says Dr Hextall. “It’s packed with skin-soothing ingredients like squalane – a non-comedogenic oil that helps lock in moisture, plus humectants (substances that attract water) like glycerine4 and allantoin5 to keep skin comfortably hydrated.
“It’s especially well-suited to anyone with rosacea-prone skin or those noticing dryness, which often crops up during perimenopause.”
Research suggests that urban pollution can age women's skin faster than those who live in the countryside.6 This feather-light formula delivers daily defence against the elements and environmental aggressors.
“Hero ingredients include vitamin C and ferulic acid, which when combined,7 are a powerhouse for protecting against both UV and pollution,” explains Dr Hextall.
“It also contains a good dose of the humectant hyaluronic acid to hold moisture, making it the perfect SPF for city dwellers who are keen to protect, brighten and hydrate skin.”
If your eyes sting throughout the day as a result of wearing SPF, you might want to consider switching to a mineral formula.
Carefully formulated to be gentle for those whose skin needs it, this cream feels deliciously nourishing to gently smooth into skin.
“This one is particularly ideal for delicate skin types as it's non-perfumed and contains purely mineral filters,” says Dr Hextall.
Skinimilasts, we’ve got your back. If you want to skip a laborious step in your AM routine, try a product that combines an anti-ageing serum with high-grade sun protection.
“Offering up to SPF50, this facial sunscreen provides high-level protection against both UVA and UVB rays,” explains Dr Hextall.
“The addition of peptides not only supports its UV-defending power but also helps plump the skin – perfect for mature skin that needs a pro-ageing boost.”
Jetting off with the kids in tow this summer? Save space in your liquids allowance with this full-body sunscreen that’s great for the whole family.
Star ingredients include vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants like jojoba oil, plus rosehip and omega-rich sea buckthorn to soothe and support your skin.
“This zinc oxide-based SPF can be used on all skin types and all ages and contains richly moisturising ingredients such as shea butter that’s similar to natural oils we find in
skin,” says Dr Hextall. “Beeswax8 can also help reduce summertime moisture loss.”
With a nod of approval from several high profile dermatologists, Cetaphil has become a cult favourite in TikTok land, and this multi-tasking formula ticks all the skin-loving boxes.
Powered by a complex of niacinamide9 and chicory extract10 to hydrate, soothe and support skin barrier defence, it offers a silky, natural finish that won’t pill or separate under foundation.
“While most facial moisturisers with SPF focus mainly on UVB protection (the type of ultraviolet light that causes sunburn, this one also protects against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and are just as important to block,” Dr Hextall explains.
Gone are the days of chalky sunscreens that cast a ghostly white finish or pack an off-putting scent.
New Zealand brand Antipodes has nailed this all-vegan high-spectrum SPF, which glides onto the skin with a silky, lightweight texture that blends beautifully.
Dr Hextall explains: “As we get older we lose ceramides11 and skin can become drier and more sensitive, so it’s always a good idea to look out for them in your skincare formulations as you age.”
Just like the rest of the skin, your lips are susceptible to painful summertime burns, so they deserve just as much protection against the sun’s harsh rays.
Keep yours juicy and kissable with this little tube of goodness that offers SPF30 protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Swipe a thin layer onto clean, dry lips every few hours to keep chapped lips firmly at bay.
The final say
Similarly to how you'd use your go-to face moisturiser to keep things hydrated on a daily basis, it's only reasonable that our skin deserves sufficient protection too.
But don’t just lean on these hard-working formulas in the peak summer months, as dermatologists say that sun protection is a must 365 days per year. Need some more inspo for your holiday? We’ve gathered 8 of our favourite products for holiday-ready skin and hair.
This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Tang X, Yang T, Yu D, Xiong H, Zhang S. Current insights and future perspectives of ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure: Friends and foes to the skin and beyond the skin. Environment International. 2024 Feb 1;185(108535):108535–5.
2. Chavda VP, Acharya DR, Hala V, Vora LK, Shilpa Dawre. Sunscreens: A comprehensive review with the application of nanotechnology. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2023 Jun 1;86:104720–0.
3. Boo YC. Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation. Antioxidants [Internet]. 2021 Aug 21;10(8):1315. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8389214/
4. Chen HJ, Lee PY, Chen CY, Huang SL, Huang BW, Dai FJ, et al. Moisture retention of glycerin solutions with various concentrations: a comparative study. Scientific Reports [Internet]. 2022 Jun 17;12(1). Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-13452-2
5. Sigit R, None Damayanti, Anggraeni S, Menul Ayu Umborowati, Sari M, Made Putri Hendaria, et al. The Role of Moisturizer Containing Anti‐inflammatory on Skin Hydration in Mild‐Moderate Atopic Dermatitis Patients. Dermatology Research and Practice. 2024 Jan 1;2024(1).
6. Robic J, Lata W, Nkengne A, Armelle Bigouret, Vie K. The impact of air pollution on the facial skin of Caucasian women using real‐life pollutant exposure measurements. Skin Research and Technology. 2024 Jul 1;30(7).
7. Jesus A, Mota S, Torres A, Cruz MT, Sousa E, Almeida IF, et al. Antioxidants in Sunscreens: Which and What For? Antioxidants [Internet]. 2023 Jan 1;12(1):138. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/1/138
8. Eshetu A, Ibrahim AM, Forsido SF, Kuyu CG. Effect of beeswax and chitosan treatments on quality and shelf life of selected mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars. Heliyon [Internet]. 2019 Jan 1;5(1):e01116. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844018367392
9. Marques C, Hadjab F, Porcello A, Lourenço K, Scaletta C, Abdel-Sayed P, et al. Mechanistic Insights into the Multiple Functions of Niacinamide: Therapeutic Implications and Cosmeceutical Applications in Functional Skincare Products. Antioxidants [Internet]. 2024 Apr 1;13(4):425. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/4/425
10. Maia Campos PMBG, G. Mercurio D, O. Melo M, Closs-Gonthier B. Cichorium intybus root extract: A “vitamin D-like” active ingredient to improve skin barrier function. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2016 May 10;28(1):78–81.
11. Wang Z, Man MQ, Li T, Elias PM, Mauro TM. Aging-associated alterations in epidermal function and their clinical significance. Aging (Albany NY) [Internet]. 2020 Mar 27;12(6):5551–65. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7138575/
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