Beauty Bible Summer Sun Special: The Best Facial SPFs
Earlier this spring, the Beauty Bible team spent several weeks slathering on sun products of all kinds, for the YOU Magazine Summer Sun Special. There was barely an inch of our bodies un-SPF-ed, in the end – and we wound up real experts in what's out there. Over the month of June, we're going to be sharing with you the products we rated most highly. Since the sun has got its hat on (at least some of the time) right now, the key product you need to be thinking about is a facial SPF. We really recommend SPF30+ for faces, when you're spending any decent amount of time outdoors - though under make-up you can probably get away with SPF15 if it's just to and from work in the sunshine for a few minutes, or evenings outside (when the sun is much less strong).
These formulations, by contrast, are really for the beach: slightly richer, perhaps not such a great base for make-up – but offering a good level of protection. (We do still suggest a hat, always, though.)
Here's what we liked - and why.
iS Clinical Extreme Protect Treatment Sunscreen SPF30/£60 for 100 ml at www.victoriahealth.com. At the 'luxe' end of the spectrum, from one of Hollywood ‘A’ listers’ favourite brands comes this DNA-protecting sunscreen based on cutting-edge science, which also reduces sun damage.
Vita Liberata SPF30 Dry Oil Serum/£28.50 for 30ml at www.vitaliberata.co.uk. A real winner from this leading ‘green’ range: an oil, yes, but not greasy and very hydrating down to argan and sweet almond oils (and good for hair too).
Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF45/£26 for 30 ml at www.clinique.co.uk. If pigmentation's an issue, this is one of the very few formulated to tackle that specific problem: a lightweight, sinks-in-fast milk.
Chanel UV Essential SPF50/£41 for for 30 ml at www.boots.com. What we especially loved about this is its portability: a very compact size of really high SPF which can be slipped in a handbag for touch-ups (especially on the so-vulnerable décolletage area, for instance) when sitting outdoors for a summer lunch or at a street café.
Temple Spa Self Defence SPF30 for Face/£34 for 50ml at www.victoriahealth.com. We loved, loved, loved how lightweight this was, despite being nicely moisturising – and the fact it features plenty of repairing ingredients in the protective blend, including cherry extract, bearberry and antioxidant vitamins C and E.