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The best new anti-ageing face SPFs that hydrate, add radiance and fight pigmentation
The latest facial sun creams with added skincare benefits
You can make a huge difference to how youthful your skin looks by investing in the best retinol creams, vitamin C serums and high-tech LED gadgets, but nothing is more important for the future of your face than SPF. Offering protection like nothing else against premature ageing, uneven pigmentation and skin cancer, a great facial sunscreen isn’t just for summer.
Although we’re exposed to far more sunshine in the warmer months, ageing UV rays hit our skin all year round. That’s why we on GH beauty follow the advice of dermatologists and always, always wear a broad spectrum SPF30+ every single day. Even in Britain, the daily UV count can rack up. It goes without saying that we’d always advise against putting your face in the sun – SPF certainly isn’t a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card for sunbathing. Use one of the best fake tans instead and save your face.
Luckily, wearing facial sunscreen is no longer a chore. The latest textures and clever added skincare actives ensure it’s an enjoyable final flourish to include in your daily skincare regime. In fact, the extra benefits in the new breed of sunscreens make it as exciting and covetable as the hottest new face creams and serums.
For proof, look no further than this year’s latest SPF innovations. We’ve been checking out all the latest advances and have diligently swatched, smothered and slathered in search of formulas to suit all skin types and goals. Anti-ageing? We’ve got you and a whole lot beyond that.
Whether you’re looking for a facial sunscreen to fight wrinkles, hydrate, combat pigmentation or even control acne, you’ll find the winning formulas here. PS: We didn’t stop at the neck, either; we’ve been checking out the best body SPFs for 2025 as well.
Best facial SPFs for 2025
Murad Superactive Moisturiser SPF: Wrinkle Fighting
Three essentials, one easy step! This 3-in-1 moisturiser, primer and SPF not only preps and protects but it also fights wrinkles... What’s not to love? Retinoids aid in firming the skin, all while smoothing out fine lines to give your skin a new lease of life.
That's right, Jones Road has finally launched an SPF, and it of course sits perfectly under makeup (no pilling here). Each shade has colour-correcting pigments to offset white cast - genius!
Revolution Skin Sunray Blur Daily Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ with Niacinamide
An SPF that does it all: protects, primes and moisturises, all while reducing the appearance of pores with a skin-blurring effect. It features a cocktail of niacinamide, vitamin E and glycerin to nourish the skin.
For something lightweight and oil-free, Cetaphil's Daily Defence SPF 30 Moisturiser will keep your skin protected while boosting the skin barrier. The formula is quick-absorbing and leaves no white cast behind, making it perfect for wearing under makeup.
Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50 Drops
Mineral SPFs can be hard to nail, but Kate Sommerville has done just that. These illuminating SPF drops are infused with Sheer Mineral Pigments which blend into the skin like a dream, leaving you with a lit-from-within glow, all while diffusing imperfections. And with a clinical-grade 24.5% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide formula, you can trust that your skin will be protected.
An absolute game-changer: SPF50, self-tanner and skincare all wrapped up into one bottle. Achieve a healthy, bronzed glow – minus the skin damage! It includes actives such as Vitamin C, Green Tea Leaf, Liquorice Root and Chamomile Flower extract to protect, soothe, brighten and hydrate your skin.
Here's a new smart sun protector that goes beyond UVA and UVB. As well as being a broad-spectrum SPF50 moisturiser it features free radical-fighting, skin-brightening antioxidants plus a ThermaRadiance Complex which defends against heat ageing. Not heard of heat ageing before? Well, it turns out that just heat alone causes inflammation, separate to damage caused by exposure to the sun's rays. (Thank you, climate change). To round things off, it's a fantastic daily face cream as well, packed with hydrating ingredients.
Created by dermatologists, you always know you’re in good hands with Skin + Me. The daily moisturiser with SPF50 will both protect, support and maintain your skin barrier. It’s formulated with gold-standard active ingredients including: rainbow algae to brighten and smooth, carnosine to shield against UV damage and ectoin to hydrate. Plus, a unique phyto-collagen blend to help smooth wrinkles and plump.
This gentle, luxurious facial sunscreen is one to add to your basket. Not only does it have a beautiful satin finish, sitting perfectly under makeup – but it also provides broad-spectrum protection alongside 20% Zinc Oxide for mineral-based UVA and UVB defence. It also features an innovative natural biopeptide, mimicking the effects of retinoic acid and fighting against wrinkles, all while keeping your skin protected.
Glass skin in a bottle? Yes please! The Glow Recipe Dew Shield is powered by Korean skincare actives, offering glow, deep hydration and of course, protection from UV rays. A blend of glycerin, watermelon seed oil, niacinamide and vitamin E nourishes, plumps, brightens and evens out skin tone.
If you like a fluid-feeling SPF, this is a great invisible option for all skin tones. It's featherlight, non-greasy and acts as shield against UVA/B rays and pollution. As well as future-proofing your face against the sun, it has extra actives to actively tackle today's signs of premature ageing.
We’re all guilty of forgetting to top-up our SPF throughout the day – but luckily, Bondi has an easy solution. This genius face mist makes it easier than ever (and it applies effortlessly over makeup!) Infused with ingredients to hydrate and nourish, such as Australian Hibiscus and Vitamin E – it’s the perfect SPF to keep in your handbag for reapplication on the go!
In case you missed it, the cult-favourite self-tan brand St Moriz has officially stepped into the world of suncare. Their new face sunscreen is lightweight, fast-absorbing and designed to protect against long-term damage without a trace of white cast! It’s an affordable gem that ticks all the right boxes.
Proof that a great mineral sunscreen doesn’t have to break the bank! The Ordinary’s new SPF serum offers protection and decreases the risk of skin damage all while hydrating the skin – and it won’t clog your pores either! Our favourite part? It leaves a natural looking glow, perfect for when your skin needs a pick-me-up, whether worn alone or under makeup.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti Dark-Spots Fluid SPF50+
La Roche Posay’s iconic UVMune Invisible Fluid has just gotten better. It’s still featherlight (and, of course, invisible), but this upgraded formula also targets unevenness and visibly reduces dark spots. Plus, with its ultra slimline packaging, there’s no excuse to not carry SPF with you on the go.
Meet your new makeup-bag hero: Merit’s brand new tinted mineral sunscreen. Broad-spectrum protection meets a lightweight, buildable coverage for effortless glow. It melts into the skin effortlessly, leaving behind a blurred, velvety, ‘my-skin-but-better’ finish.
REN Evercalm Sensitive Support Sunscreen SPF50
Designed for sensitive skin and city life alike, this daily SPF protects your skin from everyday sun exposure, meanwhile antioxidants and an anti-pollution complex work overtime to defend your skin from whatever the day throws your way. Meanwhile, the inclusion of niacinamide will help to visibly brighten your complexion!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating SPF50
Dry skin? Meet your new daily essential. This SPF not only protects, but is packed with hydration too. No greasiness, no stickiness – just perfectly prepped skin!
Developed in partnership with leading scientists, chemists and dermatologists – this SPF promises to deliver brighter, and younger-looking skin in just 3 phases: Protect, prevent and strengthen. It combines UV protection with a DNA enzyme complex to support the skin’s natural repair process for healthier, more resilient skin.
You never forget your face or neck (or so we hope!), but more delicate areas can often go overlooked. This mineral-powered eye cream is designed to protect, hydrate and subtly even out your under-eye complexion.
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