 Matis Sun Protection Stick, £20.99 for 8 g at www.feelunique.com; find it on-line here.
Score: 8.28/10
Not your usual format for a facial sun care product: this is a lightweight- swivel-up swipe-on product which is then blended with fingers, and really more appropriate for specific vulnerable zones - ears, noses, lips, cheeks, scars - than for all-over. (But as it's spill-proof it would make a great handbag sun accessory.) Suitable for all skin types, it contains a patented ingredient with one of those 'boffin-y' names, to help protect the cells' DNA. (Antileukin 6™), for your edification.)
Comments: ‘Great for delicate spots - like shoulders, ears, nose - rather than overall body coverage. Perfect for handbag’ • ‘very moisturising balm-like texture, very comfortable on skin’ • ‘put on cheeks and lips - fab! Best lip balm I’ve ever used; stayed on my lips for ages; really liked subtle fragrance’ • ‘so easy to use, I carry it in my pocket to add more protection to lips when out and about and if I have no make-up on, I reapply to cheeks and nose – just great!’
 The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sun Cream SPF25, £29.95 for 100 ml at www.theorganicpharmacy.com; click here to find it on-line.
Score: 7.8/10
A downside of some natural sunscreens is that they can 'whiten' on the skin - so Organic Pharmacy make a big thing about the fact this zinc-based cream sinks seamlessly into skin. (Though there is a touch of pearl extract, for radiance.) Red, white and green teas help to boost antioxidant protection, while shea butter and rosehip nourish sun-exposed skin.
Comments: ‘Felt wonderful, very effective moisturiser; face looked plumper; could put foundation on after a minute; would splash out on this one’ • ‘easy to apply, non greasy, liked the absence of preservatives, fragrances, colourings etc’ • ‘little sticky at first when I patted it in, took five minutes to sink in; would suit dry and/or mature skin due to its richness’ • ‘skin looked as if it had a light foundation on, very attractive, just needed a little blusher; gave a lovely matt finish’ • ‘quite thick but not off-putting, skin felt well protected’ • looked a bit greasy at first but with 10 mins, it looked more dewy; felt almost like a primer’ • ‘skin felt supremely hydrated – very luxurious cream, felt as I was nourishing as well as protecting my skin’.
 Green People Oy! Face The Sun SPF15, £10.99 for 50
ml at www.victoriahealth.com; find it on-line here (remember you get a 5% discount on almost everything at victoriahealth.com, plus free p & p - no need to add a code).
Score: 7.78/10
Just a micro-point behind the other 'green' entry in this category, one of the first-ever certified organic sunscreens, originally intended for young faces (Oy! = Organic Young) - but the more mature testers who trialled the green tea/chamomile/lavender-infused light lotion, with its suntan accelerator, loved it too.
Comments: ‘Absorbed easily with matt finish so I could put on make-up in five to ten mins’ • ‘wonderful for my skin, cleared my persistent spots’ • ‘love the hint of lavender and chamomile’ • ‘nice packaging, easy to get right amount’ • ‘moisturising enough for my combi skin but drier ones would need moisturiser first’ • ‘ I love this product and will restock immediately. Not heavy or sticky, rubbed in easily, nice herby smell. A treat to use.’ • ‘none of that having to powder over shiny face with this’ • ‘Will use forever!’ • ‘love the fact it’s organic and I can use on my little one too’ • ‘really easy to get out of squeezy tube’ • ‘could use daily without irritating my skin’.
 Lancôme Généfique Soleil Skin Youth UV Protector SPF50, £22.50 for 50 ml at www.boots.com; find it on-line here.
Score: 7.67/10
The original mega-anti-ageing Généfique concentrate sells 10,000 bottles a day worldwide; now Lancôme deploy the same gene-protective technology in a sunny-fragranced facial SPF creation. Non-sticky, resistant to water and salt.
Comments: ‘Perfect sunscreen with light consistency and heavy protection’ • ‘sank in completely leaving skin soft and moisturised’ • ‘doubled as primer, giving smooth base for make-up’ • ‘felt very comfy on skin; smoothed on easily; great pump action bottle’ • ‘really like this – more of a face cream with added SPF; didn’t feel heavy at all; no chalky residue’ • ‘perfect sunscreen! Light consistency but heavy protection’ • ‘extremely comfy and pleasing on skin, needed little rubbing in, left slight radiant sheen’.
 Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Sensitive Face Protection Cream SPF50+, £10.99 for 75 ml at www.boots.com; click here to find it on-line
Score: 6.5/10
So: you have touchy, sun-sensitive skin. Or you’re seriously concerned about the ageing effects of UV exposure. (And you’re on a budget, too.) This ticks all the right suncare boxes, guarding against sun-induced lines and wrinkles.
Comments: ‘Sank in well with no white residue’ • ‘superb sunscreen for hot sunny days’ • ‘left skin nicely moisturised without greasiness’ • ‘like the high factor for face; will use for anti-ageing benefits’ • ‘impressed how well it went on and how easy to rub in’ • ‘liked that it was practically unscented’ • ‘no white film so would be good for days when you need real protection and have to look presentable’.
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