The best sun cream for year-round protection (yes, even in the depths of winter)

Source: The best sun cream for year-round protection (yes, even in the depths of winter)

Suncare is a bit like flossing your teeth; you know it’s bad to skip it, but sometimes you just can’t be bothered. Even when you’re using the best sun cream, it can feel like a chore.

We are here to tell you: do not give it a miss. Don’t do a Gwynnie on us. Sun damage is not to be messed with.

We say that because every year over 15,000 new melanoma (the fifth most common cancer in the UK) cases are recorded in the UK.

‘There is a misconception in the UK that we don’t need to wear sunscreen as the sun isn’t as strong,’ says dermatologist Dr Hiva Fassihi.

‘The UV index measures the strength of sun-burning UV rays outside, ranging from one to a very high 11. When it reaches three you need to apply sunscreen. In the UK, the UV index can hit six or seven in summer so broad spectrum sun cream is essential.’

How To Choose The Best Sunscreen For Your Skin

There are lots of little symbols and numbers on sun cream bottles, here’s a little guide to help you decipher the information.

You want your suncream to protect against both UVA (ageing rays) and UVB (burning rays). Look for the term broad spectrum as this indicates adequate protection against both types of rays. However, it’s a good idea to pay closer attention to the individual levels of both UVA and UBV protection.

UVB protection:

The SPF (sun protection power) number indicates the level of protection against burning.  The NHS recommends using SPF30 and above. SPF 30 is clinically proven to be a sufficient amount of protection to reduce the adverse effects of sunlight.

UVA protection:

To protect against the ageing, skin-damaging rays, you should look for the UVA protection. You want to make sure your suncream protects against UVA rays, because they travel deeper into the skin where they can trigger pigmentation, wrinkles and loss of firmness. This protection is indicated in various forms, depending on where the sun cream is from.

UVA star rating: Here in the UK, our suncare brands will use the UVA star rating. It shows UVA in a circle with stars below indicating the level of protection. One star is minimum, two stars moderate, three stars good, four stars superior and five stars ultra.

UVA Seal: This is the most common UVA rating. It’s the letters UVA in a circle and has been classed as sufficient protection.

PA Rating: Seen mostly on American and International brands. The higher the number of + after the PA the better (the highest rating is PA++++). It’s not really recognised as the best way to show protection here in the UK.

The best suncream for 2022:

Caudalie Beautifying Sun Care Oil SPF30, £21 | Lookfantastic

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: UVA Seal

Why we love: It’s ocean-friendly. As we all should be.

Each year 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen pollute the oceans and end up in coral reefs worldwide. The main culprits? Filters such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are not easily biodegradable and cause fatal coral bleaching. But there is an alternative. French skincare house Caudalie uses filters that are biodegradable and non-toxic to the marine eco system. Also nice: this sunscreen is a dry oil and antioxidant-rich polyphenols from grape seeds add another layer of wrinkle-fighting protection.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Spray SPF50+, £19.99 | Superdrug

UVB protection: SPF50+

UVA protection: PA++++ and UVA Seal

Why we love: Good for the whole family.

Oil-capturing polymers keep grease at bay and provide higher water resistance while thermal spring water soothes sun sensitive skin.

Lancaster Sun Protective Water SPF50, £26.50 | Lookfantastic

UVB protection: SPF50

UVA protection: UVA Seal

Why we love: Can we applied to wet skin

High filters to thwart UV rays? Tick. Completely sheer coverage? Double tick. The fact that it can be applied to wet skin also deserves a mention. Those with dark skin tones can apply with abandon – there’s zero chance of this sunscreen leaving a grey cast behind.

Sunbum Sunscreen Lotion SPF30, £15.59 | Boots

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: UVA Seal

Why we love: It smells just like holidays should.

You rarely see ‘oil-free’ and ‘moisturising’ in the same sentence when it comes to sunscreen. Sunbum is the exception. The cream may come out white but it goes on clear, absorbs fast and smells of a pina colada in a good way.

REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF30 Mattifying Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen, £30 | Lookfantastic

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: Broad spectrum

Why we love: A non-greasy facial sunscreen.

For a mineral sunscreen to not leave behind a sweaty or chalky finish is nothing short of a miracle. If that weren’t juicy enough, REN has also made sure its sun cream plays nicely with oily skin (thanks to mattifying rice starch) and is fully recyclable. Two words: we love.

Ultrasun Tan Activator for Body SPF30, £28 | Amazon

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: UVA Seal and PA +++

Why we love: Encourages a tan whilst protecting you. Genius.

If the benefits of UV protection aren’t enticing enough, then the addition of an ingredient to activate the tanning process should be. Prepare to get your glow on – the safe way.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF30, £30 | Cult Beauty

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: Broad spectrum

Why we love: Instagram’s most famous sun protection lives up to the hype.

Weightless, scentless and utterly undetectable – exactly what you want from a facial sunscreen. Plus, it doubles up as a primer and deflects UV rays without suffocating your pores. Your face has never been so safe.

Nivea SUN Kids Protect & Care Caring Roll-On SPF 50+, £7.99 | Amazon

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: UVA Seal

Why we love: Just really, really easy to use.

Putting sun cream on children is one of life’s biggest challenges. They don’t want it on and you don’t want to do it. So anything that makes life that little bit easier is a winner. Nivea’s SPF 50+ Roll-On is exactly that. Full body application in no time at all. Plus it has that gorgeous Nivea Sun smell, which makes cuddles with the tiny ones afterwards glorious.

Coola Pina Colada SPF30 Sunscreen Spray, £25 | SpaceNK

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: Broad Spectrum

Why we love: It works as a cooling mist if you’re somewhere particular hot.

This is the ultimate summer holiday sun cream. Not only does it smell just like one – pineapples and coconuts – but it’s so easy to apply. So when you’re in and out of the sea, cafés and outfits, this spray makes for super simple reapplication.

Eucerin Sun Protection Sun Allergy Protect SPF50, £19.50 | Lookfantastic

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: UVA Seal

Why we love: A trusted sun care brand.

For those who are really, really sensitive to the sun and have allergies triggered by free radicals, this is ideal for everyday use in the summer. There are two ingredients inside that protect the upper and deeper levels of the skin offering double the protection.

COSRX Aloe Soothing SPF50 PA+++ Sun Cream, £18 | Lookfantastic

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: PA +++

Why we love: Skincare and sun care – a match made in heaven.

One tube of this sun cream sells every 30 seconds in the UK and it has sold out eight times already in 2021. From Korean brand, COSRX is super hydrating and soothing on the skin. It takes some time to work into the skin, but the results are softer and more supple-looking skin.

Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick SPF50+, £28 | John Lewis

UVB protection: SPF30

UVA protection: UVA Seal

Why we love: An ideal on-the-go, handbag essential

There are really no excuses for not keeping on top of your sun protection with this handy little stick. So small it will fit into even the smallest of handbags, it’s ideal for on-the-go top ups, as it’s clear and glides on easily to areas that most need it – like shoulders, the chest and face.

Why is it so important to use the best sun cream?

We chatted with Jo Stoddart, Cancer Specialist at Bupa UK, about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun.

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in the pigment cells in your skin – called melanocytes – and can spread to other parts of your body. Thought mainly to be due to sun exposure, the incidence is increasing and unfortunately in some cases can be life-threatening.

What are the causes of melanoma?

Melanoma is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. There are certain genetic factors, which will increase your risk of developing melanoma, including those who have a larger number of moles or moles that are atypical. Additionally, people with pale skin, red or blonde hair and blue or green eyes are at a greater risk than those with dark features.

Family history is also important when it comes to your risk of melanoma, with it playing a part in around one in ten cases.

Excessive exposure to sunlight or UV radiation from sunbed use is the main environmental factor that can cause melanoma. If you have had severe sunburn or intense exposure to the sun in the past, particularly in childhood, then you are also at a higher risk.

What are the signs of melanoma?

Melanoma may start in an existing mole on your skin or it may start on normal skin, creating a new, abnormal mole. There are key signs to look out for when checking your moles on a monthly basis.

We suggest employing the ABCDE checklist when you check your moles, which should flag up the key signs that your mole could be a melanoma:

A – asymmetry – one half of the mole looks different to the other
B – border irregularity – the edges are uneven or jagged
C – colour variability – the mole is a mixture of different colours
D – diameter – the mole is bigger than 6mm across
E – evolution – the mole has changed in size, shape or colour

‘But sunscreen is so sticky and unpleasant,’ We hear you say. And you’d be right. Historically sunscreen had a bad reputation for being gloopy and leaving behind white smears, especially on dark skin tones. (However, there are some that are the best sun creams for dark skin tones.)

However, the formulations now are so different to days gone by. They absorb quickly, they have added skincare benefits and most importantly they are easy to apply.

The Latest SPF Waters

New technology means that the latest sunscreens are now genuinely invisible on application. Oh-so sheer that they glide over the skin as light as coconut water.

This is especially true of the latest SPF50 oil-in-water hybrids, which are as far from a traditional suncream as you can get.

The waters use the same bi-phase technology found in eye make-up removers.

‘You need to have oil in sunscreen as that’s where the high, broad-spectrum filters are embedded,’ says dermatologist Dr Hiva Fassihi. The water phase is where the hydrating and antioxidant ingredients sit.

Dispensed as a fine mist, those like La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Spray SPF50+ and Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water Hydrating SPF50, are so lightweight, you could almost forget you were wearing sun cream altogether.

The bottom line? You’re more likely to want to use them every day.

Use A Separate Sunscreen For The Face

The sun protection ingredients for facial use aren’t necessarily different from those you apply elsewhere. You’ll just find the textures thinner, less pore clogging and designed to play nicely under make-up.

The best facial sunscreens and the best SPF moisturisers are also flooded with skincare ingredients such as antioxidants to ward off sun-related issues such as wrinkles, pigmentation and dehydration.

How To Use Sunscreen

Rub It In Well: Apply a tablespoon’s worth to the entire body and re-apply every two hours.

Sunscreen Can Expire: This makes it less effective. Check the bottle for the open jar symbol, which indicates a product’s shelf life after it’s been opened. For sun cream this is usually 12 months. So even if it hasn’t hit its expiration date, if it’s over a year old, it won’t be as effective. And remember to always store your sun cream in a cool, dry place.

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