APPLYING sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays is essential.
Without it, you risk premature ageing and increase your chances of developing skin cancer.
While your standard will offer protection, it’s worth considering adding a specialist facial sunscreen to your routine.
SPFs for your face are lighter in texture, easier to wear year-round, and offer protection against UVA and UVB rays, as well as blue light emitted from screens.
The best products on the market won’t clog your pores, won’t leave a white residue, and will sink in fully without making your skin sticky or greasy.
Luckily, there are plenty of facial sunscreens available, so you're bound to find one suited perfectly to your skin type.
Without further ado, here’s our roundup of the best SPFs for your face that you'll want to wear, come rain or shine.
How we tested the best SPFs for your face
All sun creams have been tested by members of Flying Eze's team over a few weeks.
The testers considered several factors including the application of the cream or spray, the level of protection it offered and how often reapplication was required.
Our team also considered other things such as the scent and consistency of the formula, how it felt on the skin and how well it absorbed.
Best SPF for your face at a glance
- Best Overall SPF for Face: Bioré UV Aqua Sunscreen SPF50
- Best SPF 50: La Roche-Posay Anthelios
- Best Budget Face Sunscreen: Glow Hub Defend Yourself SPF30
- Best SPF for Under Makeup: SUQQU Protecting Day Cream SPF50+
- Best Face SPF for Sensitive Skin: Sun Secure Blur Soft-Focus Mousse SPF50+
Best SPF for your face 2025 tried and tested
1. Best Overall SPF for Face: Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen SPF50
Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen SPF50, £10.66 (was £15.99)
Pros:SPF 50, absorbs quickly, UVA and UVB protection, oil-free, lightweight, doesn't clog pores, no white cast, contains moisturising ingredients
Cons: None
Rating:5/5
Bioré is the number one SPF brand in Japan and, with that in mind, I had high hopes for this watery SPF.
It's oil-free and doesn't clog your pores or feel greasy on the surface of your skin. I also found it to be lightweight and hydrating.
After testing this product for a week on oily skin, I had no new breakouts. It behaves like a regular hydrating moisturiser, and the finish is sheer, leaving no white cast.
One of my pet peeves about facial sun creams is the way they disturb makeup application. However, this one is a pleasure to use under makeup.
Plus, it's affordable and has a sun protection factor of 50.
SPF: 50, Finish: Sheer, Protection: UVA and UVB
2. Best SPF 50: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream, £16 (was £20)
Pros:High sun protection, moisturising, can be used on face and body
Cons:Not vegan
Rating:4.5/5
If you ever suffered from acne as a teenager or adult, then you'll know about the wonders of the cult French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay.
But did you know it has its own SPF50+ broad-spectrum sun cream? If not, this is one to add to your basket.
Unsurprisingly, (as with so many of its products), this sun cream is of high quality.
It's a lightweight and non-greasy formula, protecting against standard UVA and UVB rays and long UVA rays, and doesn't bring me out in spots.
The formula is also water, sweat and sand resistant, making it ideal for outdoor activities or holidays.
It also comes in the perfect size to carry around in your handbag, so you can top it up throughout the day.
SPF: 50, Finish: Sheer, Protection: UVA and UVB
3. Best Budget Face Sunscreen: Glow Hub Defend Yourself SPF30
Glow Hub Defend Yourself SPF30, £9.60 (was £12)
Pros:skincare ingredients, glowy finish, lightweight, UVA and UVB protection, no white cast, non-greasy, fragrance-free
Cons: None
Rating:5/5
This face sun cream is my go-to for day-to-day use, whether I'm working from home, meeting mates for coffee or commuting into the city for a long day in the office.
At just £12, this SPF 30 sunscreen provides excellent protection against UVA and UVB rays while doubling as a hydrating serum that leaves you with glowing skin.
I found this product worked perfectly under makeup and while SPF 50 is ideal, dermatologists agree that SPF 30 offers a good level of daily protection.
SPF: 30, Finish: Glowy, Protection: UVA and UVB
4. Best SPF for Under Makeup: SUQQU Protecting Day Cream SPF50+
SUQQU Protecting Day Cream SPF 50+, £43.20 (was £48)
Pros: Lightweight, SPF50, UVA and UVB protection, added skincare ingredients, glowy finish
Cons: Expensive
Rating:4/5
This luxury SPF is worth the splurge for special occasions, but at nearly £50 for 30ml, there's no denying this product is pricey.
However, I'd argue that it's one of the best face sunscreens to wear under makeup. Silky and lightweight, it’s packed with hydrating ingredients and provides a flawless base, making it feel like you have nothing on your skin at all.
It contains bilberry, olive leaf extract, green tea and horsetail plant extract which help to moisturise your skin and leave you glowing.
The SPF 50 protects you against UVA and UVB rays, but I'd wear this as a step in my makeup routine even if it didn't contain sun protection.
Because it's so expensive, I reserve this SPF for fancy days out when you need makeup to look flawless.
SPF: 50, Finish: Satin, Protection: UVA and UVB
5. Best Face SPF for Sensitive Skin: Sun Secure Blur Soft-Focus Mousse SPF50+
Sun Secure Blur Soft-Focus Mousse SPF50+, £16.80 (was £21)
Pros:SPF 50, UVA and UVB protection, lightweight
Cons: None
Rating:5/5
SVR Laboratorie Dermatologique is a French pharmacy favourite that is gentle enough for sensitive or problematic skin. Its mousse texture smooths over redness and spots, acting as a primer while offering robust sun protection.
I was a little sceptical about this product to begin with, however, I was pleasantly surprised.
I tried this on a day when my skin was irritated and breaking out and found that the blurring mousse helped to smooth over my spots and reduce any redness.
It works as an excellent primer for makeup and the summery apricot scent makes it enjoyable to use.
In terms of the actual sun protection, the SPF 50 formula protects against UVA, UVB, blue light, infrared and visible light.
SPF: 50, Finish: Matte, Protection: UVA, UVB and blue light
6. Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist
Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist, £22
Pros:SPF 50, lightweight
Cons: Not moisturising
Rating:3/5
Ultrasun's face and scalp mist is a great product for topping up your sun protection on the go, providing SPF 50 against UVA, UVB, infrared A and blue light.
The mist can simply be sprayed on the face and scalp and feels really light, cool and refreshing on the skin.
It also sits well on top of makeup, which is great when reapplying throughout the day.
This face sunscreen product is great to throw in your bag for a day on the beach and I really liked using it.
But the biggest drawback is it's not moisturising, so I would opt for a traditional cream SPF moisturiser in cooler months.
SPF: 50, Finish: Glowy, Protection: UVA, UVB, infrared A and blue light
7. Coola Refreshing Water Cream Sunscreen SPF50
Coola Refreshing Water Cream Sunscreen SPF 50, £36 (was £45)
Pros: UVA, UVB, blue light and pollution protection, non-greasy, vegan
Cons: Pricey
Rating:4/5
The Coola sunscreen has SPF 50 to protect you against UVA and UVB.
Made with the brand's plant-derived blue screen digital de-stress technology, the formula also protects against blue light, infrared and pollution.
It's intensely hydrating on my skin and I'd wear it whether it has sun protection or not. Infused with hyaluronic acid and coconut water, the cream leaves your skin looking dewy, fresh nourished and feeling super soft.
Unlike other SPF moisturisers, it isn't greasy, sticky or oily and absorbs within seconds with little effort.
I also love that it's vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, containing ingredients that are 70%+ certified organic, and it's free from synthetic fragrance.
SPF: 50, Finish: Dewy, Protection: UVA, UVB, blue light, Infrared, Pollution
FAQs about SPF for your face
Navigate by clicking below:
- Should I be wearing sunscreen every day?
- What SPF is best for faces?
- Is SPF15 enough for your face?
- How much sunscreen should I apply to my face?
Should I be wearing sunscreen every day?
Yes! Consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips explains: “Using SPF is something many of us do not do every day.
“It's only thought of when going on holiday as the sun will be hotter and our skin is more likely to experience damage.
“However few know that UV rays affect our skin every day, even on rainy and cloudy days.
“Through a window at home or our car windscreen, these harmful rays damage our skin.
“UVA is present all year round. It penetrates the lower layers of our skin through to the dermis, mutating cells as they are being formed. UVA has now been seen to be a trigger and cause of skin cancer.
“UVB is present during the warmer months of the year and is responsible for sunburn and most skin cancer cases. Unlike UVA, it does not penetrate clouds or window glass.”
Not only does SPF protect from sun damage which can cause cancer, but it also helps to prevent signs of ageing like sagging, wrinkles and dark spots.
What SPF is best for faces?
The best SPF for your face depends on your skin type, preferences, and budget.
Dermatologists recommend at least SPF30, but SPF50 offers extra protection.
We have tested a selection of face sunscreens and our top-rated ones were the Bioré UV Aqua Sunscreen SPF50, which offers a high protection at a very affordable price tag.
We also loved the La Roche-Posay Anthelios which is also SPF50 and has a great non-greasy formula.
If you have a bit more cash to splurge our testers loved the SUQQU Protecting Day Cream SPF50+, which works best under makeup for a flawless base and maximum coverage.
Is SPF 15 enough for your face?
SPF15 doesn’t provide sufficient protection and dermatologists recommend using a minimum of SPF30 or SPF50 for better coverage.
The difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 isn't as big as the numbers make it sound, but the change in the level of protection between SPF 30 and SPF 15 is significant.
, Dr Stephanie Ooi, a GP atMyHealthcare Clinicin London, advises using the highest SPF you can.
She said:“Choose the highest SPF possible to give yourself the best protection.”;
Dr Ooi added: “Some people choose lower SPFs because they think this will boost their body’s levels of, but studies have shown vitamin D levels aren’t affected by a higher SPF sunscreen.”;
“If you are worried you can always take a daily vitamin D supplement. The NHS recommends taking 10mcg (or 400 units) daily during the winter months.”;
How much sunscreen should I apply to my face?
You almost certainly aren't using enough sunscreen on your face.
It can be hard to know exactly , but a simple rule of thumb is to use a teaspoon amount on your face, ensuring you reapply every two to three hours.
Pay particular notice to areas prone to getting sunburnt. As your nose sticks out of your face it will burn quicker, so ensure you use a a 5p-sized blob for your nose alone.
For areas like your forehead use a 10p-sized blob of SPF and rub right into the hairline, especially if you are not wearing a hat.
Also don't skip your ears and the back of your neck, these areas are often ignored but are often exposed to the sun so need adequate protection too.
