The high SPF facial sunscreen thread...

[UmiSays]

Thought it might be an idea to share experiences of different facial sunscreens, as I have vowed to wear SPF 50 or higher every day. Been doing a bit of experimenting, anyway, and thought I would share

I'd been wearing Clinique SPF 30 (one in the small yellow tube) for years. Its OK - the usual thick, white, slightly chalky sunscreen texture, but not too sticky once its been on for a few minutes. Make-up goes on Ok-ish afterwards. Stings if it gets near your eyes, though.

Last few months have been using La Roche Posay Antihelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF50 (I think thats the name, sorry!).This is pretty good stuff. Very light and not at all sticky. Eyes don't sting. Make up goes on OK. It gives me a slight sheen, though, that I don't entirely love. There is a tinted version that is a bit orangey on my pale skin, but with a fake tan on the other eek, it was nice, gave me a healthy glow.

This week have tried Neutorogena Dry Touch SPF 100. Hated it when it went on. It was really shiny and sticky and smelled horrible. Had to leave it about 15 mins before I could apply make-up. However, make-up went on OK and the shiny/sticky feel and look disappeared after half an hour or so. Quite impressed for such high SPF. I'd deffo take this on holiday somewhere hot.

And finally...this one is my absolute FAVE. Its so bloody good I am wondering whether it can possibly actually be as high protection as it claims? Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50. Its SO light, smells nice, absorbs quickly, make-up goes on beautifully, not even a tad sticky or chalky. Its amazing stuff.

Please safe any good sunscreen finds you have had, too. Also be interested in body sunscreens (SPF 50 pls). I use the Nivea clear spray, which avoids the sticky/white/chalky look but smells like a chemical plant.

[UmiSays]

Please SHARE

[Theknacktoflying]

The only effective SPF facial sun cream is one that is properly and regularly applied.

It doesn't matter how high the SPF - there is just a minimal difference between a SPF30 and SPF50

[YossarianLives]

I have this Dermalogica one, if applied after moisturiser it is SPF50, if mixed with moisturiser it's reduced SPF. I apply a small amount after my moisturiser and there's no chalkiness and it doesn't feel heavy or oily

It is a bit pricey (around £35 for 50ml) but it lasts for ages as you don't have to use much. Hoping it will keep my wrinkles at bay for another while!

[Apatite1]

Where did you get the biore watery essence from please? Am trying to avoid a sunburnt holiday in June!

[UmiSays]

Theknack - yep, I know. But I apply once on most normal, miserable British days when i am at work most of the day anyway! If out and about I would re-appy. It would be great to have a spray/mist version of sunscreens that yu could apply over make-up...

Apatite - I got the Biore one on Amazon. It was 12 quid and arrived within 3 days.

[Apatite1]

Cool thanks Umi, will try it out! I quite like Mac spf50 primer btw, works for my oily skin.

[DCITennison]

Im just finishing a bottle of Ultra Sun spf50 anti pigmentation - it's really good stuff and definitely made a difference to the brown patches on my forehead (it's supposed to work on existing pigmentation as well as, obviously, preventing any more).
It's really rich, very moisturising and gives a very glowy look to the skin. Unfortunately for me, or rather for my foundation, it's just too heavy and sticky. I'm using the last of it up on my neck and chest.

I'm now on to Heliocare spf50 gel and I love it. Feels gorgeous going on, really cooling and buttery rather than sticky, sinks in well and seems to actually hold my make up in place. It's lightly tinted which doesn't add any colour but just prevents any white cast.

Clinique, LA Roche Posay, Vichy...and countless others - far more niggly than either of the two above.

Definitely recommend the Heliocare - no downside whatsoever, actually feels like one of the nicest moisturisers I've ever used, could easily forget it's a sunscreen.

The Ultrasun also great but definitely best on very dry and minimally made up skin.

[Lovewearingjeans]

I used Clinique City Block SPF 40 on holiday in Florida, and found it brilliant.

[Lottapianos]

'It would be great to have a spray/mist version of sunscreens that yu could apply over make-up...'

It really would. We can live in hope

My high SPF is Bioderma Ultra Fluide SPF50. I use it on sunny days in UK, usually just applying once in the morning. On sunny hols, I either reapply the Bioderma every 3 hours or so, or use Boots Soltan Factor 50 Sensitive, which doesn't sting my eyes

[Howaboutthisone]

Watching with interest!

I use the Clinique city block SPF 25 day to day and have also used the Mac prep and prime SPF 50. Tried the Clinique facial sunscreen in the past but hated it and my eyes stung like crazy!

[MackerelOfFact]

I've been using SunSense Daily Face SPF 50+ with invisible tint (copy and paste not working but it's about £11 for 75g on Amazon) which is fairly non-greasy and feels a bit like a light BB cream really.

The brand is available on prescription so imagine its protection claims are robust. I went under one of those UV camera things recently that shows where your face is sun damaged, both with and without this cream on, so I can see that it definitely protects.

There's a history of skin cancer in my family so I have to be really careful.

[SonorousBip]

I use the Heliocare SF50 gel as well. I was recommended it by a dermatology place and it is the best of any I have tried, I think, because you do not notice it is there. I have also used the clinique city face, which felt thick and sticky to me.

[FrugalFashionista]

Asian suncreens are superb, the Biore Watery Essence (I ordered from Amazon I think, it came from Japan) is a superb product. I binnerd my LRPs (acne, shine, the tinted one was otange) and even my nice American Neutrogena Clear-Face is not as nice.

[Thisishowyoudisappear]

Boots Soltan Dry Touch face SPF50. It's excellent.

[rubyshoes3]

Lottapianos and Umisays look in to Korean skincare as they do quite a few spray/mist sunscreens. If you look at //www.jolse.com there is some on this site.
I got the Biore sunscreen of ebay and it is the best sunscreen I have used.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'm using the Sunsense daily face 50+, and am very impressed with it.

For body, I use P20 spf 50, and though I was sceptical before I tried it, it does last all day, and as long as you let it dry before getting dressed, its not sticky etc

[LtheWife]

Has anyone used Brush On Block? It's SPF 30 but looks like it could be a good idea for top ups over make up throughout the day. I know you can buy refills, does that mean the brush part can be separated and washed?

[mowglik]

I used to use the LRP ultra light facial sunscreen and while it was definitely thinner than other sunscreens it was still quite sticky and greasy and I stopped using it

Using ultrasun anti pigmentation spf50 atm, it's thicker than the LRP but big plus is that it's once a day and for that reason I may just continue using it despite it being pretty heavy

Have ordered the biore for days when I am going to be out for short periods so will see how I go with that

Also there are some high spf and high PA mist sunscreens you can buy to touch up your sunscreen post makeup application - however they are Asian sunscreens and I've had no luck with finding them online yet

[knittingbat]

Someone on here recommended hada labo creamy gel spf 50 - Japanese, from eBay. Imagine it's like boots... In a class of its own. Kicks lrp/dermalogica/neutrogena out of the park. Because it sinks in and disappears, you can really slather it on!

[knittingbat]

Sorry, imagine it's like biore not boots, grrr new apple autocorrect

[gooseflannel]

I did a test in Boots a few weeks ago. Went round all the shelves, but not the counters, and applied a tester (when one was available) on my hand of all the face SPFs. The least inoffensive one in terms of claggy/sticky/Caspar the Ghost sheen/ frightful hellish chemical pong was this Soap and Glory one. Although the bloody tricksters put it in a big box on the shelf and then when you finally get inside this is this pissant little bottle at the box. Bloody theivers. Anyway. It doesn't make me what to to The Edvard Munch Scream face when I stick it on, unlike most sunscreens with their hateful 'I am ON your face' sensation. Gives me the chronic splayed toe.

Might try the counters next time.

[BlairWaldorfLovesShopping]

I usually recommend Heliocare on these threads but have ordered the Biore one to try, it's currently £8.74 on Amazon so thanks for the rec :)

[ababycalledbrian]

Can I ask a stupid question? What do you do about reapplying sunscreen if you're wearing make up? I've never bothered with foundation / tinted moisturiser when wearing sunscreen in the summer but a) I clearly ought to start doing so every day and b) also should start wearing tinted moisturiser more often as I'm looking pretty haggard these days without make up.

[IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt]

Just to check. I've just ordered the Biore sunscreen from Amazon. There were two versions though and I went for the new one that says 2015 version. Does that sound right? Now fretting that it might be a fake?

[ConstanceBlackwood]

I've been using bioderma spf50 for hyper pigmentation. It does the job but is a bit "heavy". I tend to wear it when I'm out running.
I've just ordered la Roche posay anthelios spf50 too for everyday wear. I'm using retin a so need to be careful and use proper sunscreen!