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The holy grail of day cream…??

77 replies

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 09/05/2026 09:37

SPF 50
Moisturising
Doesn’t leave a white film
Good for aged 40+ skin
Doesn’t cost £100000

DOES IT EXIST???
Thank you in advance for any miracle suggestions!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Melonjuice · 09/05/2026 23:14

Most sunscreens these days are very expensive with all the top brands jumping on the spf bandwagon charging £20 plus, In testing some of these brands don't even offer near the spf they are claiming. Last year Lidls SPF 30 which is less than a fiver was tested was shown to actually offer the SPF. unlike other more expensive brands and came out top - look it up . U Don't need to spend 30 quid on Eucerin or la Roche posay or avene or any other similar brand. I have polymorphic light eruption it's an allergy to the sun and get terrible rashes and none of those sunscreens worked, In fact, they often make it worse . Factor 50 is only marginally better than factor 30, factor 100 blocks 99 percent, 50 blocks 98 percent of UVB rays and factor 30 97 percent, factor,15 93 percent, I stopped using sunscreen in the end because they made me worse but I would always recommend using one. Just don't get too caught up in the sun factor numbers

Computadora · 09/05/2026 23:39

I’ve found that my moisturiser works better with serum underneath. I’m currently trying out:
no7 serum
clinique moisturiser (pink one)
new no7 combined spf 50 and primer

the latter seems to go on well

Morepositivemum · 09/05/2026 23:44

Another that says separate spf- they actually should stop putting it in moisturisers as it’s lulling people into a false sense of security, it’s not enough to protect people

Interested in this thread?

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Minesril · 10/05/2026 07:04

The Body Shop ‘skin defence’ cream is really good. Although sold out at the moment!

suburburban · 10/05/2026 07:20

I use the Garnier Vit C sun screen but I put it over moisturiser, make up etc.

PersephoneParlormaid · 10/05/2026 07:23

I use Cerave and it doesn’t sting my eyes like separate SPF

Teaandtarot · 10/05/2026 07:28

Heliocare !

I like the oil free gel

It can be expensive but worth it

RenoSweeney · 10/05/2026 09:23

I know you said you want an all in one but I use Hello Sunday The One That’s a Serum SPF50. You mix a few drops into your moisturiser and off you go. It works really well and I’ve used it for a few years now.

MaryBennetThe2nd · 10/05/2026 09:27

Bobbi Brown Facebase plus separate SPF

74username52 · 10/05/2026 16:29

Melonjuice · 09/05/2026 23:14

Most sunscreens these days are very expensive with all the top brands jumping on the spf bandwagon charging £20 plus, In testing some of these brands don't even offer near the spf they are claiming. Last year Lidls SPF 30 which is less than a fiver was tested was shown to actually offer the SPF. unlike other more expensive brands and came out top - look it up . U Don't need to spend 30 quid on Eucerin or la Roche posay or avene or any other similar brand. I have polymorphic light eruption it's an allergy to the sun and get terrible rashes and none of those sunscreens worked, In fact, they often make it worse . Factor 50 is only marginally better than factor 30, factor 100 blocks 99 percent, 50 blocks 98 percent of UVB rays and factor 30 97 percent, factor,15 93 percent, I stopped using sunscreen in the end because they made me worse but I would always recommend using one. Just don't get too caught up in the sun factor numbers

Same here. When I was younger my sun rash was absolutely awful.

Mine stopped when I stopped using sun cream and also started with beta caroten vitamin supplements.

midwalker · 10/05/2026 16:36

I have tried various products but always come back to Cerave.

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 10/05/2026 20:06

Wow, so many suggestions - I’m going to look at each and every one. Thank you!!

OP posts:
largeredformeplease · 10/05/2026 20:23

JulietteHasAGun · 09/05/2026 10:10

It is correct. You should moisturise first and then put on spf. The spf in a moisturiser isn’t good enough.

Oh no, is this true?

I have only just started trying to properly take care of my skin after years of just using Astral / Nivea.

I had a facial and beautician recommended I use this, which is what I’ve been doing.

is this not enough?

The holy grail of day cream…??
Motnight · 10/05/2026 20:25

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 09/05/2026 10:11

Some mentions of Cerave with factor 50 - will check it out!
Separate sun protection is what I’ve been doing but I’m lazy…

This works really well for me.

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 27/06/2026 17:25

I thought I’d report back as I’ve tried two of the recommended creams!
Nivea Q10 anti aging face sun cream factor 50 - horrible. I found it greasy and it made my face feel sweaty for hours.
Cerave factor 50 for dry skin - AMAZING!!! Moisturising, sinks in quickly, no white cast, excellent all round.

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/06/2026 17:35

The only thing I sometimes use (and even then it doesn’t really make much of a difference) is an Estée Lauder anti aging serum or capsules. You can’t reverse ageing but you can prevent it. My French friend who smokes (lives in UK) but has a healthy diet (and some lines probably caused by smoking) has great skin. I must ask her what she uses but she did use Caudalie.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/06/2026 17:36

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 27/06/2026 17:25

I thought I’d report back as I’ve tried two of the recommended creams!
Nivea Q10 anti aging face sun cream factor 50 - horrible. I found it greasy and it made my face feel sweaty for hours.
Cerave factor 50 for dry skin - AMAZING!!! Moisturising, sinks in quickly, no white cast, excellent all round.

You know what I might try the Cerave one you mentioned.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/06/2026 17:37

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 27/06/2026 17:25

I thought I’d report back as I’ve tried two of the recommended creams!
Nivea Q10 anti aging face sun cream factor 50 - horrible. I found it greasy and it made my face feel sweaty for hours.
Cerave factor 50 for dry skin - AMAZING!!! Moisturising, sinks in quickly, no white cast, excellent all round.

It’s important there’s no white cast or pilling and the moisturiser is also important in that it doesn’t break out your skin and feels nice. I’ve used face lotions but prefer a light cream.

Highonmyownsupply · 27/06/2026 18:14

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 09/05/2026 10:33

Well…not really. Or not for me. Moisturiser - then wait for that to sink in. Then the spf. Then makeup (on working days) once the spf has sunk in.
A one-does-all cream would be quicker, no question.

Optima by Superdrug. 30 spf. It’s lovely. I get compliments on my skin.

daisybaby121 · 27/06/2026 18:26

La Roche pose spf 50 is the best, if you want a thin moisturiser over the top laneige water bank is lovely.

personally I use Clinique moisture surge with spf in day to day. If it’s really hot I use the above

OrangeMoonsAreCool · 27/06/2026 19:23

Should have added - I’ve also worn full make-up over the Cerave with no probs.

OP posts:
NorthFaceofthelaundrypile · 27/06/2026 19:25

If M&S still have the summer beauty bags, they have a full size of the Clinique moisturiser with SPF50 in there.