best SPF to be using now that the sun is actually out

3 mins

13 Apr 2023

best SPF to be using now that the sun is actually out

Plus how and why we should really be using SPF all year around...

image New Line Cinema / Vertigo Entertainment / Warner Bros. Pictures

words Rhys Thomas

SUN. That hot ball of glowing gases roughly 4.603 billion years old that often seems reluctant to visit the United Kingdom.

But what about our skin? We know you know sun protection (in the form of a product containing SPF) is important, we also know there are just soooooooo many choices and varieties: different SPF levels, chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens, UVA, UVB. Where to even begin?!

Don’t let it put a dark cloud in your blue sky, we’ve everything you need to know about SPF right here. We’ve even recommended a few great products, and will get into all the details on how and what to use to make sure your skin can enjoy the sun as much as the rest of you will.

What even is sunscreen?

Firstly, there’s two main types of sunscreen. Physical (also known as mineral) and chemical. Mineral sunscreen will block and reflect the sunlight, which is why it’s also called ‘sunblock’ in some parts of the world. There’s a host of ingredients that play a part in this, but one of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will be the main ingredient.

A chemical sunscreen will absorb the rays of sunlight to stop them from hitting your skin (or at least reducing how much gets through). It then turns the rays of light into heat before releasing it, which is kinda cool. You need to apply it half an hour before exposure to the sun, though.

Really, the one you choose comes down to personal preference. Chemical sunscreen tends to be water and sweat resistant, physical sunscreens tend to be better for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Which level of SPF do I need?

The level of ‘sun protection factor’ you need can vary depending on skin tone, but ideally, if you’re about to step out into the sunniest sun, you should be using SPF 30 or higher.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

UV is ultraviolet, it is a light energy that radiates from the sun. It’s what causes a tan: when exposed to UV radiation, we increase our melanin production in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. As this implies, UV is technically bad for us. This is why we look to protect ourselves from UV.

Anyway, UVA and UVB are two different rays. UVA has a longer wavelength and gets deeper into the skin, UVB tends to hit the top layers. Conveniently, the skin cancer foundation says that UVA affects ageing, UVB is what causes burning. A and B. Ageing and burning. We should protect against both types – this means using ‘broad spectrum’ SPF.

How to use SPF?

In an ideal world, we’d be very on it with sunscreen. Dr Joshua Van der Aa says “wearing SPF every single day, regardless of the weather -even if you’re indoors- is vital.” He adds that; “If you’re applying less than two finger lengths of cream on your face, it’s not enough. You should apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside, and ideally, you’d reapply every two hours.”

Why is sunscreen so important?

Ultimately, UV exposure can lead to skin cancer. Suncare as part of a routine can feel a bit long and annoying to implement, but it’s worth considering. And here’s some of the best options, whether you’re looking to still max out the tan or to just not feel like you have a face full of cream.

the cream

SPF50 Sea & Sun Formula

Saltee

£32.00

If you’re looking for something that will protect your skin fully while also providing hydrating, anti-ageing and hyper-pigmentation goods, the sea & sun formula from saltee is well worth looking into. All the above, sorted. SPF 50 means even the palest of us can worry less.

no more grease

City Serum SPF+

Saltee

£38.00

Some people are deterred from sunscreen because it leaves their face feeling like the translucent wrapper that once held some oil-soaked chips. If this is the case, a serum might be the solution you have been looking for. SPF 50, incredibly, life-changingly light, and containing a few extra active ingredients that help to prevent sun-related ageing and provide hydration.

a starter

SPF 25 Mineral Sunscreen - Travel Size

UpCircle Beauty

£14.99

With anything ~beauty based that you’re unsure you’ll like, seeing if they have a travel sized version is always wise. It’ll be cheaper and smaller, plus if you like it, you’ll have a travel sized version for holidays. Yay. This mineral sunscreen is a blocker, and at 25 SPF is probably suited to darker skin tones. It’s a great eco-conscious choice, being certified by the vegan society, certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny, and plastic negative. You could layer some SPF-laced makeup on top for optimal coverage.

suncare ogres have layers

Detoxifying Day Moisturiser SPF 15

Flanerie

£47.00

While this product is SPF 15, it has some additional benefits that you might want thanks to the antioxidants, which help to prevent ageing caused through sun damage. Also, there’s no harm in layering SPF products. It might even be beneficial in some cases: for example, generally serums go deeper into the skin than creams, so if you have SPF 15 in a serum, it is going to protect deeper layers of your skin, where a SPF 30 cream can then sit on top and ensure maximum protection. An example of studies that back this says “layering sunscreen and makeup products greatly increased the effective SPF compared with that achieved by single application of each product”.

smells good, does good

#3 NEROLI DAY CREAM + SUNSCREEN

Face Junkie

£20.00

While very much a day cream first and a sunscreen second, given it’s a low-to-medium SPF 20, this is an ideal product to be using all year around to provide at least an initial base of sunscreen. Or, you know, all of it if you’re someone who forgets or cannot be bothered to use more than one product, especially in the winter (we’ll forgive you!) Neroli oil smells like how you imagine the fruits and flowers overlooking the clear light blue sea of Positano do, and it happens to be hydrating. Glowing, protected skin, here.

yes you can still tan!

Tan Enhance Formula

Saltee

£26.00

Yup, tan without the bad things! A healthy summer glow, a top up of melanin, “some colour” are all ways of saying that many people enjoy how they look and feel with a tan. Blocking ultraviolet rays is counterintuitive to a tan. The tan enhance formula from saltee has other ideas. It contains MelinOil, designed to stimulate the skin’s natural sun defences while boosting your natural glow for an all-year-round sun-kissed look.

protection perfection

Antioxidising Day Moisturiser SPF 20

Flanerie

£47.00

Another great shout for layering up the skin (while removing the jackets and coats). Niacinamide is great for protecting the skin from everyday environmental stressors such as sunlight, pollution and toxins. It’s also good at helping hyperpigmentation to heal. That infused with SPF 20, means slotting this under other products is guaranteed to elevate your suncare routine.

three is a magic number

Sun Heroes Trio

Saltee

£74.00

For an all out ‘let’s get this sun protection bag going’ choice, this trio combines both the sea and sun formula and the tan enhance formula for wonderfully protected skin that still glows and bronzes, in addition to a body lotion with SPF 30. They all come in a cute beauty bag with stripes that look like the deckchair you’re dreaming to lay on.

featherweight protection

Sun Defence Drops SPF 50

Olivanna

£56.00

This featherweight formula shields from sun exposure and hyperpigmentation with SPF 50, while its healing antioxidants help to reduce free radical damage and accelerate skin healing.