The number one cause of skin ageing is sun exposure. There’s no two ways about it. But the importance of daily SPF application goes beyond just aesthetics, it’s essential for skin’s health and to prevent serious conditions like skin cancer.
Ensuring you don’t leave the house in the morning without a layer of protective lotions and potions is a brilliant first step, but it’s just that; the first step.
Next you must consider reapplication where it is suggested right there on the bottle that you do so every two hours. According to a report detailed in the National Library of Medicine, only 20.4 per cent or people surveyed make the effort to reapply - and that is no doubt in part due to makeup.
SPF-infused face mists have seen a huge surge in popularity for that very reason. While you may swap your heavy, full coverage foundations in the winter for lighter weight tinted moisturisers, arduous suncream with white casts are not conducive to the flawless finish that you are trying to achieve.
Spray innovations form a seemingly invisible veil of SPF protection with their fine mist textures. This marks a transformation in the approach to suncream formulation that is a direct rejection of the laborious, opaque sun creams that dominated the market for many years. In their place comes these light-as-air compositions that are easy to apply and non-comodegenic.
Clinic Lead at Face the Future, Kimberley Medd, explains, “SPF mists have grown in popularity due to being able to lightly spray over any make-up/skincare and to top-up easily throughout the day without feeling greasy. For body, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Body Mist SPF50+ is great for sensitive skin with broad-spectrum coverage that’s easy to reapply and layer over make-up, as it’s also suitable for face application with the high SPF and lightweight formula. For face specific, Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF 50 is a transparent mist which is also water resistant. It’s free from perfume, alcohol, mineral oils and emulsifiers, making it hypo-allergenic and great for the most sensitive of skin types”.
Just give the product a shake and spritz directly onto the face and neck - just don’t forget the ears too. There’s no rubbing in necessary, preserving the look of your base as well as treating your complexion to a hydrating and shielding boost of SPF and skin-loving ingredients. Best of all, their compact size means you can easily stash one in your bag for a quick top-up on the go.
Shop the best SPF face mists below
Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF50 Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray
Kate Somerville is taking setting spray to the next level by incorporating SPF50 within the formula. This ensures that while you use as a finishing touch for your makeup, you are also adding another layer of protection against harmful UV rays and pollution.
That said, you should still be applying suncream as the last layer of your skincare routine, before applying your makeup. This is designed as double-duty protection.
The super-fine spray particles make it easy to achieve even coverage and it has a mattifying effect at the same time, while also bringing a subtle luminosity.
Buy now £36.00, Kate Somerville
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Protection Invisible SPF50+ Face Mist 75ml
You know you are in safe hands with La Roche-Posay. The French pharmacy label excels in its SPF offering that is designed for all, especially those with sensitive skin. This is thanks to the brand’s signature infusion of thermal spring water that plays a crucial role in each and every one of its skincare products and provides a soothing, hydrating effect.
It is set along high broad-spectrum SPF protection in this face mist, applying clear and cooling onto the face for an easy sun shielding pick-me-up that is mattifying and layers beautifully over makeup. To create this grease-fighting formula, La Roche-Posay has harnessed the expertise of NASA by including Airlicium, an ingredient used by aeronautic experts to absorb three times its weight in oil.
Buy now £14.00, Cult Beauty
UltraViolette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist Skinscreen
Whether you are spending the best part of the summer hopping between beer gardens, soaking up the sun in the Med or enjoying the great outdoors on leisurely strolls, keeping your skin protected from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays should be top priority. That’s where UltraViolette comes in with its designated range of suncare that is designed to fit seamlessly among your skincare products, bringing luxurious textures and addictive aromas into the realm of SPF.
This misting formula makes reapplication a breeze. Under or over makeup, it is packed with free radical-fighting antioxidants like vitamin C and E as well as bisabolol and aloe vera chosen for their soothing properties. Best of all, it leaves a glowy finish in its wake.
Buy now £25.60, Space NK
Sculpted By Aimee Sun Mist - SPF 50 Spray
There’s no excuse not to layer up the SPF when you have the Sculpted By Aimee Sun Mist on hand. The lightweight spray does exactly as the name suggests and mists onto the skin with an effortless application that doesn’t leave an oily, greasy or sweat-causing finish. This makes it easy to reapply, as does the pocket-sized container. The brand has infused nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and apricot oil into the formulation that work to hydrate the skin, while imparting its UV-shielding properties.
Buy now £22.00, Sculpted By Aimee
Hello Sunday Sun Face Mist SPF30
SPF is important all year round but particularily in summer when the UVA and UVB ray are stronger. Hello Sunday SPF is making daily application a breeze with its Face Mist. All you do is shake and spray to keep your complexion shielded from external aggressors.
This product is ideal for a quick-fix when you’re running out the door and to stash in your bag to ensure you are covered throughout the day. It’s a lightweight texture that still has high factor, broad spectrum protection. This includes blue light from your devices thanks to the inclusion of carnosine that mimics what is found naturally in the body, alongside SPF30.
Buy now £18.00, Selfridges
COOLA Classic Face Mist SPF 50+
Light as a feather, this is one of the most advanced sun protection products in the market, eschewing all connotations of traditional suncare. Instead of thick textures that are hard to rub in and leave unpleasant white streaks, this mist becomes an invisible veil on the complexion, giving a much-welcomed boost of ingredients you’ll recognise from your bathroom cabinet. The composition is made up predominantly of organic components that includes the Coola-own Plant Protection complex that combines antioxidants like prickly pear extract and buriti oil. It won’t interfere with makeup below or leave greasiness behind.
Buy now £32.00, Cult Beauty
Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Face Sunscreen Mist
Bondi Sands may be best-known for its fake tan offering but the Australian-born label has turned its knowledge of safe sunning into protective SPF products. This mist contains SPF50+ with broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays but while the formulations of old had a way of drying out your skin, this works to up the hydration levels for up to 72 hours. It’s also non-greasy and vegan.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Vichy Idéal Soleil Freshness Face Mist SPF 50 75ml
Each spritz of this face mist is a cooling treat for parched, sun-soaked skin. The Vichy formula has been created to make it simple and effective to apply SPF where the invisible texture is immediately absorbed. The factor 50 gives it a high protection against UV rays, while the signature Vichy Mineralising Water contained within the ingredient line-up provides that hydrating, soothing effect. Keep one in your bag, on your desk and by the front door so you’re never without your suncare fix.
Buy now £23.10, Amazon
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50 Super UV Over Makeup Mist
This inexpensive mist gives a thorough shield against the sun’s rays. The lightweight spray is just the ticket for reapplication throughout the day where the inclusion of hyaluronic acid makes it a joy to spritz. It’s totally clear, non-greasy and feels lightweight on the skin. Use throughout the summer and beyond.
Buy now £8.00, Amazon
