An SPF product is a must regardless of the weather. It's not just for sunburn: it prevents UV damage, premature ageing, and pigmentation too. Wearing a day cream with SPF 15 isn't enough to ward off the damage, even in the Winter. With studies also suggesting that we can get blue light damage from our laptop screens, even those of us in an office during the week aren't safe from serious UV damage.
If you loathe wearing sunscreen during the Winter (or any time of the year, to be honest), join the club. You just need to find the formula that's right for you. I now wouldn't dream of leaving the house without my Deciem sunscreen. If you're still an SPF hater, don't give up on it just yet, because there are plenty of sunscreens that don't feel like sunscreen at all. Forget those childhood memories of being slathered in that dreaded layer of white, sticky cream. These new formulas are so gorgeous you'll barely notice you're wearing anything.
Keep reading to shop some of our favourite sunscreens that are so light, you won't even feel them. And for those Summer months, here's what you should be using based on your skin type [1].
NIOD Survival 30
NIOD Survival 30 [2] (£25) changed the SPF game for me. It is lightweight and doesn't pill or cause my makeup to not sit properly on my face. Despite the questionable packaging, (half of the product leaks on the screw top), I'll continue to repurchase this and use it daily.
Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream UVB/UVA 50+
Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream UVB/UVA 50+ [3] (£21) is perfect for the Clarins devotee [4] who needs a little more SPF and likes a slightly thicker consistency.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 [5] (£105) is pricey, but if you're looking to up your skincare game, then you're in for a treat. These drops control how much you're using and can be mixed with moisturiser and BB creams for an easy and effective protection.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF50+ 50ml
Those with oily skin types might want to reach for a gel rather than a cream. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF50+ 50ml [6] (£16.50) is anti-shine and won't leave you feeling greasy but still gives maximum protection.
Bare Republic Tinted Sunscreen
Bare Republic Tinted Sunscreen [7] (£17) is great if you like a slight tint without clogging the skin with a decent daily sunscreen. It's also got a melting texture that feels more like primer than sunscreen.
Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF 30
Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF 30 [8] (£35) has a physical formula containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which works great on my dehydrated skin type and as a makeup primer.
Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen Facial Sun Cream SPF 45
Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen Facial Sun Cream SPF 45 [9] (£27) is a very light cream perfect for a base underneath makeup. Reviewers have also noted that it leaves no ashy tones on darker skin and dries to a silky texture.