Back in the day (and I’m speaking for myself here), there was little to no information on SPF, sunscreens, sun protection factor, whatever you want to call it. They were bought and used specifically for holidays, and when at home in Ireland, they were only brought out on rare, hot, sunny days and rationed. I remember going away one year and using SPF 2 in Spain! 2?!
Nowadays, we’re much more aware of the damaging effects of the sun. I think most of us know that we should wear SPF every day, regardless of the weather, as the sun’s rays can penetrate through clouds. So, while we mightn’t be worrying about the UVB rays – these are the rays that cause burning – when it comes to those overcast days, of which there are many in Ireland, the UVA rays can still cause the skin to age prematurely.
Up until recent years, daily facial sunscreens felt so thick and heavy on the skin and trying to find one that sat well on the skin and under makeup was a big challenge. And when asked which SPF I recommend to people, I usually say it’s the one that people want to wear. Like foundations and mascara, SPF is a subjective thing, and this year, I’ve found some gems that I’ve added to the rotation, along with a couple of favourites.
Things you should know when it comes to SPF
Chemical vs mineral sunscreens
Keeping things really simple, chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, while mineral sunscreens (sometimes referred to as physical sunscreens) sit on top of the skin, acting as a barrier.
Chemical sunscreens should be applied around 20 minutes before sun exposure to give them time to fully dry down. Mineral sunscreens provide instant protection to the skin after application.
Chemical sunscreens typically don’t leave a white cast, whereas mineral sunscreens mostly do.
Mineral sunscreens are generally better tolerated by those with sensitive skin, while chemical sunscreens can irritate sensitive skin. (For the record, I have sensitive skin and the sunscreens mentioned here haven’t given me any reactions.)
If you’re ever unsure whether a sunscreen is a chemical or mineral one, find the ingredient list online, copy it, and throw it into ChatGPT and ask it. It’ll save you time, and you’ll know the kind of SPF you’re looking at.
How much to use
The Irish Cancer Society recommends applying half a teaspoon of sunscreen to the face, neck, and ears, half a teaspoon to each arm, and a full teaspoon to each leg, as well as to the front and back of the body. A half teaspoon equates to approximately two fingers’ worth of sunscreen.
Reapplying
It’s recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’ve been swimming, sweating or drying yourself off with a towel.
Now, on to the sunscreens. It’s worth noting that five out of the six products mentioned below are chemical sunscreens, and I’d label them as daily SPFs. These are ones I’d typically use on a day-to-day basis, so a daily sunscreen. And I’m happy to use them for that. However, if I were going to be sunbathing (I don’t sunbathe anymore, but you know what I mean), I’d use a mineral sunscreen. I’ll explain more about this further down in the post.
If you’re looking for something lightweight, hydrating, or want a sunscreen that sits beautifully under and over makeup, here are my top picks that I’ve been recommending this year.
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50
This is my current favourite SPF and has been since I bought it on a whim at 3 am one sleepless night last year after watching a review on TikTok. I usually do my research when buying products, but I blame the insomnia and the need for a dopamine hit to make me feel better! And it was a purchase that well and truly paid off because it opened my eyes to the world of Korean skincare.
The Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel has a lightweight, hydrating formula that feels like a moisturiser, rather than an SPF. It’s a chemical sunscreen, so no need to worry about a white cast on the skin. There’s no scent to it, and it has never broken me out. I’ve bought this one for my Mam and sister to be a part of their morning skincare routine, that’s how much I’m enjoying using it.
Skingredients Skin Shield SPF 50
I love that the Skingredients Skin Shield is a mineral SPF, as the protection starts right away, and it also has a natural peach tint. It’s not a fully tinted sunscreen, like some of the others on the market, so we’re not talking about makeup-style coverage, such as a foundation or tinted moisturiser. However, I prefer that in this instance, as it evens out my complexion lightly and is a much better match compared to many darker-tinted sunscreens.
It should come as no surprise that Skin Shield also contains other skincare ingredients, including niacinamide and vitamin E, and despite being a mineral SPF, it doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin. It doesn’t feel as moisturising on my skin compared to some of the other sunscreens, but instead feels more like a primer for under makeup. I love that you can buy refills for it, and every time I’m going away, I make a wish that someday they’ll bring out a travel-friendly version, because this bottle is really big and doesn’t fit into my little plastic bag for carry-on. So I’ll continue to live in hope that someday they’ll bring out a version that we can travel with!
No7 Future Renew UV Defence Shield SPF 50
This is another lightweight sunscreen that replaces my moisturiser on days when I’m using it. With peptide technology and sodium hyaluronate, it’s beautifully hydrating with anti-aging benefits too. Interestingly, when I was getting the link for it and reading through the description, it says that “This product is not designed for sunbathing”. And it’s the only product from this group that makes that statement.
I think many sunscreens are designed for incidental sun exposure, such as day-to-day life and going for walks. Therefore, the importance of regular reapplication is vital to ensure we continue to stay protected. And that’s where we come to the next product on my list.
Sculpted by Aimee Sun Mist SPF 50 AF
Because most of us don’t apply enough sunscreen, or apply makeup and don’t remember to reapply the sunscreen, having an SPF like the Sculpted by Aimee Sun Mist is a must. It’s an aerosol mist that can be applied over makeup without affecting it, making it a must-have for your handbag. I’ve tried aerosol SPFs from other brands and this is my favourite of the ones I’ve tried. It doesn’t sting my eyes, doesn’t leave a greasy film on my skin, and the scent isn’t too strong. With Vitamin E and Apricot Oil, this promises to hydrate and protect the skin – just remember to keep reapplying. If you’re doing that outside and it’s windy, try to find a sheltered spot to spray it, or else it’ll go everywhere except on your face!
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour SPF 40
This is the newest sunscreen I’ve tried from this range, but as soon as I felt its texture, I knew I was going to love it. Now, this is part of the Eight Hour range and doesn’t promise eight hours of SPF protection, in case you were wondering. I just wanted to flag that!
This is beautifully lightweight and has a thin liquid formula that melts into the skin in seconds, drying down to an almost invisible finish. It contains antioxidants, which help to prevent free radical damage to the skin, while sugar beet extract strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier. One thing I haven’t tried with this yet is applying it over my makeup, but the team said that it can be applied on top of makeup with a makeup sponge. I’ll give that a go and report back on how it looks! But don’t forget to use it under your makeup first, so you have the proper level of protection.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Air SPF 50
I’ve been a big fan of the Anthelios range from La Roche-Posay for years and was excited when they introduced this product recently – an ultra-lightweight sunscreen that leaves no greasy feeling on the skin after use. I think this would be ideal for those who have found the other Anthelios sunscreens to be a bit too heavy for their skin.
This dries down quickly to an invisible finish and is said to control oiliness for up to 16 hours, making it an excellent option for those with oily skin. It works great under my makeup, and the packaging is carry-on friendly as it’s so small and compact.
Those are my favourite daily SPFs that I’ve been wearing and enjoying so far this year. If you do pick any of these up, I hope your face loves them too, and make sure to keep reapplying if you’re out in the sun for a longer period.
As the Irish say, we have to make the most of the weather, and with a heatwave approaching, let’s mind our skin in the sun!
Is SPF in foundation enough protection? Find out here!
