Looking for more sun care products? Once you’ve invested in a facial sunscreen lotion, check out our guide to SPF, plus the best sun creams for your body, the best SPF makeup and scalp sunburn treatments. Oh, and don’t forget about makeup primers too.
Can I use a body SPF on my face?
No, you really shouldn’t substitute an SPF that’s been expertly formulated for your face with your go-to body sun cream (however tempting that may be). According to most dermatologists, it’s almost as big of a skincare sin as using body moisturiser instead of a face moisturiser.
First of all, body sun creams generally tend to have a much thicker consistency compared to face sunscreens and face SPFs, so applying them to your face can block your pores and even potentially lead to unwanted breakouts.
“The skin in the face is much thinner and more delicate than the skin in other parts of the body. Products formulated for the body tend to be stronger and thicker than those that are formulated for the face,” shares Dr Christine hall.
“The face is also an oilier area meaning that the skin on our bodies tend to be drier – hence body products will be heavier in terms of ingredients like oils and butters which would be too much for the face. So whilst it is OK to use face products on the body, you run the risk of inflamed and greasy skin if by using body products on the face.”
Why do I need to wear sunscreen every single day?
For starters, UVB and UVA rays are known culprits behind sunburns, pigmentation, accelerated wrinkle formation and premature ageing of your skin cells. Not to mention, prolonged, consistent and unprotected exposure to the harmful UV rays doesn’t come without an increased risk of skin cancer.
Plus, some face SPFs have been expertly formulated to counteract other stressors, including pollution and the blue light emitted from screens on electronic devices. And much like other skincare products, the main difference lies with the added ingredients, which can vary depending on your skin’s needs and personal preferences.
So not only do sunscreens for face (or face SPFs) prevent long-term damage, but they also help our skin maintain its ability to produce collagen and elastin, both of which are essential when it comes to keeping you looking plumped and youthful.
What kind of ingredients should I look for in a sunscreen?
When reading the ingredients list, you may often spot components like avobenzone,
octinoxate, octocrylene, oxybenzone and homosalate (popular in chemical sunscreens), as well as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, squalane, green tea extract, aloe vera (which is also often seen in after sun products). Otherwise, mineral sunscreens also tend to include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which help create a protective barrier on your skin that will reflect the harmful UV rays all the while avoiding irritating sensitive skin.
With the soothing and repairing ingredients you’d typically expect in your moisturisers and facial serums, today’s face SPFs are generally long-lasting, hypoallergenic and some tinted versions are good enough to wear under – or even in lieu of – foundation. Non-comedogenic (in other words non-clogging), mineral SPFs are not just for the beach, but for every day. And so are SPF lip balms, by the way (not to be skipped).
Is SPF 30 or SPF 50 better for your face?
According to both the EWG and the Skin Cancer Foundation, SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB radiation while SPF 50 blocks about 98% and SPF 100 blocks about 99%. So technically speaking, SPF 50 is the best facial SPF… but only marginally.
What is the best face SPF?
We’ve tried and tested all the best sunscreens for face in a range of textures and protection levels – from SPF 15 to SPF 40 and above – all coming from some of the best brands in the biz, including La Roche Posay, Ultra Violette, Eucerin, Medik8 and, of course, Garnier (and yes, we’re talking about the iconic Garnier Ambre Solaire Protection Spray).
Denise Primbet
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