Best sunscreens for your face: the top daily SPFs from our expert tests

Your face is typically more exposed to the sun than the rest of you, so you'll want a sunscreen you can rely on for effective protection.

A face sun cream has to work hard to stay put – and it needs to be light and non-greasy too, so you'll actually wear it.

We've tested SPF50 and SPF50+ face sunscreens from the big brands to see which ones can be relied upon for superior UVA and UVB protection – and which products our testers loved using.

Discover our top picks, based on our independent lab tests, and what you need to know when choosing sun protection for your face, below. 

Best face sun cream

See all our sun cream reviews and advice, including all our tested face sun cream, SPF30, SPF50 and kids options, plus the Don't Buys to avoid, in our full guide to the best sunscreens

Why should you use a separate sunscreen for your face and body?

While it's perfectly effective to apply regular sun cream to your face, some people find the consistency of certain sun creams too greasy – and they can be highly perfumed, which could lead to breakouts or oiliness. 

The skin on your face tends to be more delicate than the skin on your body. You may also struggle with sensitive skin conditions such as eczema, which could be worsened by using ordinary sun cream on your face.

And if you're wearing it under make-up, a facial sunscreen usually feels lighter and sinks into your skin more easily. Many are unperfumed too.

As the best sunscreen is one you'll commit to wearing, it's worth finding one that suits your skin and that you feel comfortable wearing daily when needed.

It's generally best to opt for a higher SPF for your face, especially if you'll be wearing make-up, which may make it harder to re-apply during the day. Don't just rely on sunscreen, though – opt for a hat and sunglasses, and seek shade where possible, to protect yourself from strong sun.

Should you apply facial SPF every day?

Some beauty experts advocate for wearing facial SPF cream every day, even in winter, to protect your skin from ageing. 

However, skin health experts – including Cancer Research UK and the British Association of Dermatologists – say that sunscreen use is only needed between March and October in the UK, when UV levels are higher. UV levels can be easily checked on a phone app. 

How soon in the year you use it and to what extent will depend on your personal health circumstances and skin type too. If you're very sensitive to the sun, you'll want to take extra care on early spring days, as you could get burned. 

Why spring sun can catch you out – we explain when to take extra care in the sun, and tips to avoid getting burned

What SPF sun cream should I use on my face?

Most facial sun creams will be SPF50 or more, although there are some that are SPF30. These are considered high and very high protection levels (although no SPF provides 100% protection). The NHS recommends at least SPF30 during summer months. 

Some beauty moisturisers contain SPF – from 15 to 50+. But be wary of SPF claims, particularly on make-up such as foundation or powder. The British Association of Dermatologists says you're unlikely to get the level of protection claimed as you'd need to use much more of the product than you expect to do so. 

Do you put SPF on before or after face moisturiser?

This may depend on whether you're using a chemical or physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens should be applied before you apply your moisturiser, as you need it to soak into the skin to provide the most effective protection.

However, mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin, so you would want to apply it as the last step in your facial skincare process.

The truth about SPF lip balms and beauty products, according to a dermatologist

SPF make-up: does it really offer protection from the sun?

When used realistically, make-up isn’t going to protect you from the sun on its own.

For any product to provide the SPF it claims, you need to apply 2mg per square cm – which means around a teaspoonful of product for your face. And, just as with sun cream, it needs to be reapplied regularly.

In reality, you’re unlikely to apply the amount of make-up required – in the case of foundation, that would mean a 30ml bottle would only last six applications. 

We recommend applying an SPF facial sunscreen before applying any make-up.

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