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The SPFs approved by Good Housekeeping's beauty team
Including smart protection that you can powder over makeup, and mists that make your skin glow.
The line between a glorious summer glow and a lobster-like sunburn runs fine, and in some cases, we can’t even feel the effects of the sun on our skin until it’s too late.
Making your skin safe from sun damage is important, particularly in summer, but the benefits of wearing SPF go beyond even that; the secret to avoiding brown spots, dullness and many of the tell-tale signs of ageing is wearing high factor sun protection.
The rising forecast also has us taking a more vigilant approach to reapplication. While sun care is essential all year around, whether you’re on a tropical beach trip or in the thick winter snow, the summer sunshine is a welcome reminder to layer up your protection every two hours. And while the thought of reapplying may provoke memories of strong scents and slick, heavy textures, the SPFs of 2022 tell a very different story.
New advances in skincare technology have made SPFs as light (and as nourishing) as serums, while maintaining the high factor protection needed for a heatwave or holiday. They can be dusted or misted over a full face of makeup without disturbing the glossy cosmetics underneath and in some instances, offer coverage in their own right. Essentially, smart and modern SPFs have made applying your second, third, fourth layers of protection as simple, effortless and pretty as possible.
Shop: Good Housekeeping beauty team's summer SPF buys
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Suncare Emulsion SPF30
"I’m always hunting for sunscreens that don’t block pores, cause breakouts, feel horribly sticky or leave a white cast," says Beauty Director Eve Cameron. Her solution? This smart, lightweight sunscreen from Shiseido. It uses skincare ingredients to protect against UV rays, environmental aggressors and prevent signs of ageing caused by sun damage.
Beauty Director Eve also lists this weightless, translucent SPF mist as one of her summer favourites. Quick drying and 100% streak-free, this water resistant sunscreen can be spritzed on for lightweight protection and a shimmering finish.
With shea butter, aloe vera and squalane, this SPF50 is full of protection that has added skincare benefits.
"It feels like a luxurious body cream, leaving skin soft and luminous as well as protected," says Eve.
"I’ve always been a sucker for a luxury sunscreen, but in the past 15 years my obsession has shifted from the below-the-neck holiday kind, to daily protection for my face and neck," says Senior Beauty Editor Alexandra Friend.
She notes this sensitive-skin friendly tinted cream as one of her favourite summer SPFs. "It melts into the skin and has a beautiful velvet finish."
"Modern sunscreens are so much easier to wear than they once were and I’m convinced that they (not the retinoids, acids or face oils I use) are the reason my skin looks better and brighter year on year," says Alex. "My newest find is Supergoop (Re)Setting Powder SPF30. It's a fine powder that leaves skin looking flatteringly matte and can be quickly reapplied throughout the day, even over makeup."
Beauty Editor Fleur Fruzza has described finding a high, broad-spectrum SPF that her sensitive skin care tolerate "a labour of love." However, in this fast-absorbing factor 50 from La Roche-Posay, she may have found the one.
"The lightweight fluid belies its potent sun protection, which includes innovative defences against ultra-long UVA rays (the ones that cause sunlight-related premature ageing), and doesn’t cause irritation or make my eyes water. And because the consistency is so light and absorbent, I have no trouble applying it over my moisturiser."
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