Many of us will be thinking about SPF a little more than usual thanks to the fast approaching heatwave (the bank holiday promises a 30C forecast), but sunscreen is something we should all be wearing, every single day – not just in the peak of summer or when temperatures soar.
Face the Future’s 2025 SPF report found that four in ten SPF users in the UK only purchase sunscreen when heading on holiday. It also showed that 48 per cent of people don’t recognise the signs of skin cancer, and just 22 per cent wear SPF every day. Alarming? We think so.
Clinic Lead at Face the Future, Kimberley Medd, told Standard Shopping: “SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor, measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays, which are the kind responsible for sunburn and contributing to skin cancer. SPF 30 means it would take 30 times longer for your skin to burn compared to no sunscreen.”
Fortunately, incorporating SPF into our daily routine has never been easier, especially with brands like e.l.f. Alongside its stellar makeup and skincare roster, the beauty behemoth offers purse friendly SPF in several forms – stick, spray, cream and tinted. Here’s everything I’m shopping for summer and beyond.
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e.l.f suntouchable invisi-stick SPF 50
Easy to apply with a gentle swipe, the e.l.f suntouchable invisi-stick applies clear on all skin tones for a natural finish without the undesirable white cast that some sunscreens leave behind. Because of its solid formula, you can carry the stick around in your bag and not have to worry about it leaking all day.
Free from that unappealing greasy feel, this non-comedogenic SPF is safe for use around the eye area, and actually helps to prep skin for makeup. Your skin will remain water resistant for up to 80 minutes, too, so it’s perfect for splashing about in the pool.
e.l.f suntouchable! invisible sunscreen spf 30
Doubling up as both sunscreen and makeup primer, this invisible SPF glides on as a lightweight gel, leaving skin feeling smooth and velvety, perfectly prepped for foundation (and helping it stay put for longer, too).
The formula is enriched with aloe and meadow foam seed oil to help soothe and condition the skin, and it’s fragrance free for a more gentle finish. Water-resistant and suitable for all skin types, whether oily, dry, combination or normal. And, it offers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection in a completely invisible formula designed for everyday wear.
e.l.f suntouchable! whoa glow spf 30
Available in three radiant shades – sunbeam, sunlight and sunburst – e.l.f.’s glowy sunscreen primer hybrid gives skin that effortless, sun kissed sheen in a bottle. The lightweight formula combines broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection with a soft, luminous finish, with tones ranging from peach and champagne to bronze to flatter different complexions.
The trio of shades also makes it easy to customise your glow, as you can sweep bronze across cheekbones, add a touch of peach to the apples of your cheeks, and use champagne to highlight high points for a naturally sculpted look.
e.l.f wake up skincare kit
If you're looking to give your skincare routine a bit of an overhaul this side of summer, consider the wake the e.l.f. up skincare kit your next buy. You'll get four travel sized skincare products, to complete your morning routine, for just £20. Alongside a hydrating daily cleanser, vitamin C + E ferulic serum and daytime moisturiser, you'll also receive a suntouchable invisible sunscreen SPF 30.
e.l.f all set for sun SPF spray
This clear spritz from e.l.f. is a quick drying sunscreen that doubles as a setting spray, delivering broad-spectrum SPF 30 while helping to lock your makeup in place. The ultra fine mist sits on the skin, leaving a natural finish and making it easy to top up protection throughout the day, without disturbing your makeup.
Its transparent formula works for all skin tones, while added ingredients like watermelon fruit extract, prickly pear seed oil and bisabolol help keep skin hydrated, soothed and nourished during sun exposure.
Read more: I wear SPF50 every single day, and these are my top picks
