Sunscreen for the face. Review thread.

[45DegreestoReality]

Hello all!
I spend a lot of time outdoors (year round) and have developed an obsession with facial sunscreen.
I’ve tried quite a few, so I thought I’d share my opinions here in case it’s helpful for anyone. I try and aim for high factor- 30 would be my minimum, 50 ideally.

If anyone has tried and rated others- please add them on!

For the record I am in no way a skin expert, these are just my thoughts on the products I have tried.

Also for reference, I’m caucasian, mid 30s, deathly pale with combination skin. It tends to be dry on the cheeks and a little oily on the chin. I get the occasional spot (usually on the chin/jawline) but mostly it is clear.

I have included links to products, but these aren’t necessarily the places I bought them from.
Right here goes…

Simple Protecting Moisture Cream 30spf
www.boots.com/simple-kind-to-skin-protecting-moisture-cream-spf30-uva-uvb-50ml-10164560

Pros: Affordable, and easily available on the highstreet.

Cons: I found this to be greasy and left a white mask on my face despite much rubbing in. I abandoned this quickly for the face, but used it up on my arms/chest over the summer. Fine for that, but I won’t be buying it again.


La Roche Posay Anthelios XL face 50spf
www.feelunique.com/p/La-Roche-Posay-Anthelios-XL-Face-Ultra-Light-Fluid-SPF50-50ml

Pros: Widely available. No white mask. I found it was nice to use under makeup (though perhaps I’m not the best judge as I only use BB cream).

Cons: Quite runny, and if “slapped on” I found it felt like it was slipping down my face a bit. This is helped if I put some niacinamide on beforehand (I used the Ordinary), but I don’t want to have to do that all the time. It takes a while to sink in.


Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Sun Defence for Face 50spf
www.feelunique.com/p/Elizabeth-Arden-Eight-Hour-Cream-Sun-Defense-for-Face-SPF50-High-Protection-50ml

Pros: I loved this initially as I found it quite moisturising for my dry cheeks, without being greasy on my chin/nose area. Rubs in easily.

Cons: Tends to pill, and after prolonged use I did gets some spots on my chin.


Piz Buin Sensitive face cream 50spf
www.boots.com/piz-buin-allergy-sun-sensitive-face-cream-spf50-50ml-10167569

Pros: Widely available and affordable. Over summer I got this on offer (I think it was a buy one get one free or something similar) along with the other Piz Buin sunscreens.

Cons: I found this quite shiny and heavy. For me it just “sat” on the skin, rather than sinking in. I don’t think it would work well under makeup (but I didn’t really try). Not my favourite.


Sunsense Anti-aging Face Matte 50spf
shop.sunsense.co.uk/collections/all/products/sunsense-anti-ageing-face-matte

Pros: Very quickly absorbed and leaves a really lovely matt finish. Works well under my BB cream- no pilling. Bigger bottle than some (100ml).

Cons: It is advertised and having an “invisible tint”, but I am sure that it does leave a tint on my skin. As I mentioned earlier, I am deathly pale- so this might not be an issue for others.
I love the finish though, and plan on trying the non-tinted one next.
It is quite runny, but this isn’t really a con in my eyes, (worth mentioning though) as it absorbs very quickly.
Not widely available on the high street- but can be bought on t’internets.


Ultrasun Face 50spf
www.superdrug.com/Skin/Sun-Protection/Face-Sun-Protection/Ultrasun-Face-50spf-50ml/p/467105

Pros: Nice consistency- thick without being greasy or shiny. Pump bottle is a nice idea, so you get the right amount out in one go. Quickly absorbed. It feels moisturising, without being shiny.

Cons: Has a slight white cast, but this goes very quickly. I think this is my second favourite, with the Sunsense just pipping it!

Hope that’s of help to someone. Please add on your reviews!

[45DegreestoReality]

Sorry for the wall of text. I wanted to bold the sunscreen names to make them clearer, but it didn't work. I'm a novice here!

[MissisBoote]

Great idea.

Biore watery essence spf 50 p++++

Pro's:
Excellent coverage
Dries down very matt. Makes a good base for make up.
Broad spectrum protection.

Cons
Quite runny but once you get used to this it's not a problem.

My hg sunscreen.

[MissisBoote]

Another con for the biore:
You have to buy online.

[45DegreestoReality]

Thanks MissisBoote, I've not tried biore, and I like a matt finish. I'll add that to my try list!

[MajorSharpesButtons]

Clinique city block (spf 30)
Pros: not heavy, good for oily skin, seems to last well both the tube and on the face.
Cons: I'm very pale, it works for me (it's kind of foundation like) I think if your skin was olive or darker it would be mask like. Could be drying.

[MissisBoote]

Another con for the biore:

High alcohol content.

[eyespydreams]

Really like biore but for me hg is hada labo, buy from amazon!

[Dulcimena]

Ultrasun SPF 30 Family - sounds very similar to the Face 50 version reviewed in the OP. Apart from the difference in protection, I wonder if the Face version is lighter textured?

Korres SPF 30 yogurt extreme fluid face - silicone-free, very light, very elegant, absolutely no white cast, moisturising, lovely stuff. Cons are that it's fragranced and I think discontinued :(

[45DegreestoReality]

Dulcimena the Korres one you mentioned sounds lovely. I've had a quick look online and it's out of stock everywhere. I think you might be right about it being discontinued.

[JohnCheese]

Biorè irritates my face a little. Is the had a labo less irritating eyespy?

Currently and for over a year, maybe 2, I've been using Neostrata sheer physical defence this one

My skin is combination/oily
Pros: excellent sun protection, v non-irritant, nice subtle tint
Cons: expensive, a bit slippy

I've used La Roche Posay in the past, this is nicer to use. I've a La Riche Posay serum this one here and I love it. Really easy to wear, sinks into skin v nicely, leaves a velvety finish, excellent SPF with extras. I love it. Not sure how easily available it is, I got it in the USA.

[eyespydreams]

Yes john, biore bit irritating for me too but hada labo not at all!

[blowmybarnacles]

This is so helpful OP, thank you!! I've got a few bottles saved in a basket on Amazon of various sunscreens so could add reviews of ones I've tried too.

[45DegreestoReality]

blowmybarnacles please do! It'll be helpful to get different peoples feedback on different products. I'll add on anymore I try. No doubt there will be more! I'm like an SPF magpie.

[Nicketynac]

La Roche Posay dry touch gel was too thick for me to wear under make-up and put me off trying the other versions.
Kiehls was far too greasy for my oily skin.
Currently using the Biore Watery Essence mentioned above but also tried their Watery Gel which was OK but somehow felt strange to apply. Not sure how to describe but reminded me of that PVA glue you use in school!
Saw Biore UV Perfect Face Milk recommended on here a few weeks ago and it arrived from Japan this morning but I haven't opened the pack yet. Supposed to be great for oily skin but I can't vouch for it personally.
I have also used a Bare Minerals SPF primer as I felt that moisturiser, SPF then primer was a bit much for my skin and I liked it (comes in three or four shades) but didn't feel confident about skipping a proper SPF. I bought a Bare Minerals powder sunscreen (not their foundation with SPF, an actual sunscreen) to use on top but I think it has been discontinued although still available on amazon.
Clinique City Block was too oily for me and sunk into my pores.
I am sure I have tried others and just can't remember them!

[LiquoriceWheel]

I've heard good things about Shu Uemura and Shiseido sunscreen. I'm helpful aren't I

[TheCaptainsCat]

Eau Thermale Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF 50 + is my HG facial sunscreen!

www.boots.com/avene/avene-sun-care/eau-thermale-avene-very-high-protection-emulsion-spf-50-50ml-10125563