The Best Sunscreens for Summer
Words by Verity Clark
When it comes to skincare, the experts agree that there is one product that is non-negotiable: sunscreen. SPF is the first line in defence against premature skin ageing, as well as more sinister concerns. A high protection, broad-spectrum SPF should be part of everyone’s skincare routine.
Happily, thick, gloopy, white-cast producing formulas are a thing of the past. The new era of face and body sunscreens are lightweight, fast-absorbing and work well with make-up and other skincare products.
Read on to discover our favourite SPF products of 2026. Plus, some of the industry’s leading skincare experts weigh in to answer the most-asked sunscreen queries.
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Our Top SPF Products of 2026
Lancaster Sun Beauty Sun Body Water SPF30
Best SPF for Active Holidays
This ultra lightweight mist absorbs in record time and is barely perceptible on skin – great if you’re someone who usually finds wearing sunscreen irksome. It can even be applied to wet skin so there’s no excuse that you’re ‘just waiting to dry off’ before you reapply your sunscreen.
Augustinus Bader The Solar Shield
Best SPF for Body
Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 is the stuff of legend thanks to its ability to boost cellular renewal. Now it’s available in the brand’s body SPF. Expect broad-spectrum protection, lots of hydration and, crucially, it helps work against the key signs of sun-induced skin damage.
Clarins UV Plus Skin Barrier SPF 50+
Best Multi-tasking SPF
It’s not just sunlight our skin has to contend with come summer; pollution, blue light and pollen all negatively affect our skin health too. Packed with plant extracts and a new anti-pollution complex this hardworking formula from Clarins works to protect skin from all these environmental aggressors, plus it helps strengthen the skin barrier in the process. A great choice for everyday wear.
Kama Ayurveda Amsuman Daily Sun Shield SPF 50
Best Natural SPF
Combining ayurvedic botanicals that have been used in skincare for centuries with innovative UV filters, Amsuman is a masterclass in merging traditional practices with modern technologies. The 98% natural-origin skincare base provides antioxidant properties to boost skin radiance while providing everyday sun protection.
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+
Best SPF for Reducing Signs of Sun Damage
Tatcha’s first chemical sunscreen is gloriously lightweight as an ode to the milky textures popular in Japan. Beyond feeling lovely on the skin, its hero ingredients – Encapsulated Ectoin and Vitamin E – help to repair the skin barrier, which in turn works to reduce the appearance of signs of previous sun damage. Clever.
SunsolveMD Correct + Fade SPF 50
Best SPF If You Have Pigmentation
Pigmentation – or darker coloured patches of skin , is – one of the most common signs of sun damage. The best prevention is solid broad-spectrum sun protection, but if tell-tale signs have already started to appear, look to Sunsolve’s mineral formula, which brightens areas of pigmentation while simultaneously protecting skin from further damage.
Sisley Sunleÿa Anti-Ageing Sun Care SPF50+
Best Hydrating SPF
Sunleÿa SPF 50+ is a protective shield against photo-ageing. It targets fine lines, as well as the loss of elasticity in your skin – both of which are accelerated during exposure to the sun. Consider this a holiday friendly moisturiser and reap the benefits of the radiance boosting formula.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50
Best SPF for On-the-Go
If thick formulas and hefty bottles are your usual obstacle to applying SPF everyday, then allow us to introduce you to this nifty dropper from Dr Barbara Sturm. A few drops can be mixed into moisturiser or foundation for an easy morning application, and it can even be applied over make-up throughout the day.
Skin|Cycles Sun RX Stick SPF 50+
Best SPF for Easy Touch Ups
An exploding sunscreen in your suitcase or beach bag is an all-too common, and unpleasant, experience. Enter, the solid sunscreen stick. These clever formulas are spill-proof, offer high-level protection and are handy for on-the-go touch ups. Plus, the handheld stick is perfect for manoeuvring into the harder-to-reach contours of the face.
Pers Daily Protection Gel SPF 50+
Best SPF for Under Make-Up
Leave no trace should be the universal sunscreen motto, but it’s often hard to find one that truly delivers on its promise of no white cast. Thankfully, the transparent formula of this PERS SPF really does sink into skin without leaving any residue. Comfortable enough to be worn every day and it sits invisibly under make-up too.
What the Experts Say
Wear Sunscreen Daily
Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) wasn't just a 1999 chart-topping hit for Baz Luhrmann: 24 years on, the sentiment is as important as ever. “Everyone should wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen regardless of age, gender or skin type. Just because you don’t burn, it doesn’t mean you’re not receiving UV damage from ageing UVA rays, which are the same strength all year round and can penetrate through windows. Your collagen starts to break down after just 10 minutes of being outside, even on a cloudy day,” says Dr Howard Murad, dermatologist and founder of Murad.
There Are Two Types of Protection
You will be able to tell whether a sunscreen is physical (also known as mineral) or chemical by looking at the ingredients list on the back of the packaging. Physical sunscreen creates a barrier to deflect UV rays. Dr Maryam Zamani recommends this type of sunscreen for sensitive skin and children. “Physical SPFs include ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide – they can appear white and be thicker in texture.” Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, “are absorbed into the skin and scatter UV radiation. These sunscreens are thinner and require less product to protect skin, however, they can clog pores and cause more irritation, so they’re best avoided by acneic skin types. These formulations include oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone.”
Every Skin Tone Needs SPF
“Darker skin tones are just as susceptible to the hazards of sun damage, such as hyperpigmentation and free radical damage,” says Dr Murad. Medical and cosmetic doctor Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe has some top tips: “For skin of colour, a key thing is making sure that your sunscreen doesn't leave an ashy cast. We can’t be tolerating that any longer! Beware of physical sunscreens that contain a high concentration of metals such as zinc oxide, which typically give the product a white cast on application.” Double check the ingredients list if you’re unsure.
Your Questions Answered
The protection factor highlights the level of protection against the sun, while UVB+UVA and PA showcase the protection against the damage caused by environmental factors, such as blue light and air pollution.
The British Skin Foundation recommends using an SPF higher than 30, and if you have a fair complexion, that rises to SPF 50. When properly applied, SPF 50 can block up to 98% of all rays.
We recommend using two teaspoonfuls for your face and neck and six for your body.
For maximum protection, always remember to apply your SPF every two hours. This is where SPF mists come in handy, as they allow you to re-apply over your make-up.
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