Summer may be drawing to a close, but sunscreen is a non-negotiable skincare step all year round. As Baz Luhrman’s 1999 spoken word track Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) proclaimed: ‘If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.’ In 2024, it’s a sentiment taken as gospel, reflected in the ever-evolving roster of sun care products now available. So finding an SPF you truly love involves a degree of trial and error – particularly when it comes to those designed for the face.
Some SPFs can cause sensitive skin to break out, or be unsuitable for your skin tone, while others might ‘pill’ when mixed with certain make-up products. There’s also a choice to be made between physical (mineral) or chemical sunscreen. The former sits on the surface of the skin, creating a ‘shield’ that stops harmful UV rays from penetrating, whereas the latter absorbs them. In addition, compliance regulations – rules by medical or governing bodies written to ensure SPF products are created with safety and efficacy – vary from country to country. Dermatologists usually recommend an SPF rating of 30 or above, however, for maximum protection against UVA and UVB rays. UVA is responsible for ageing, whilst UVB causes burning, so opting for a ‘broad spectrum’ SPF ensures you get the best protection from both.
