THE SPF EDIT: WHICH SUNSCREEN WORKS FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE?
If I could give you one thing that in five years would reduce your skin ageing by 26%, it would be SPF.
Almost everyone assumes I'm about to say something else... a serum, a retinoid, a treatment. It's SPF, every time. Daily. Year round. Rain or shine.
That 26% figure comes from a landmark study and it's one of the most compelling pieces of evidence in dermatology for a single, accessible habit. - Dr. Laura
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
If that stat is true, why isn't everyone wearing SPF every day??
The reason people don't do it consistently isn't that they don't know. It's that they haven't found one they actually like. It pills under makeup, leaves a white cast, breaks them out, or just feels horrible. And so it gets skipped.
So here's our current SPF edit; structured by skin type, with a note on format, because both matter when it comes to finding one you'll actually reach for every morning.
Our universal favourites — where to start if you're not sure
These are the ones we recommend most broadly across skin types. If you're not sure where to begin, start here.
A firm favourite; ours and a lot of our customers'. It's a lightweight, hydrating face SPF with a gorgeous lit-from-within finish and no white cast. It wears beautifully under makeup, sits well on all skin types, and just feels like a pleasure to use.
It's exclusively available at Phare.
One note — it does have a light fragrance, so if you're very fragrance-sensitive it's worth knowing before you buy.
Our best-selling SPF and for good reason.
It's a tinted mineral sunscreen with tone-adapting iron oxide pigments that come in multiple shades. It evens out redness, provides buildable coverage, and does the job of both SPF and light foundation.
We always recommend applying a non-tinted SPF underneath it first for the fullest protection (using two-full finger lengths of this can feel like alot) and we'll do a dedicated post on this product soon to walk through each shade in detail.
A non-tinted option we recommend as that underneath layer; completely sheer, no tint, no white cast, 100% mineral. It also protects against blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation alongside UVA and UVB. A brilliant base for the FLEX on top, or a standalone option for anyone who prefers no coverage at all. You'll always find a bottle of this on Dr. Laura's shelf!
We're firm believers that the Anthelios range from La Roche Posay is one of the best SPFs on the market in terms of protection. This is our favourite for everyday use, but they also have SPF for your little ones as well as body sprays/lotions. Genuinely invisible on the skin, no white cast, no residue, wears beautifully under everything. If you want the most invisible, fuss-free protection possible, this is it.
NEW ARRIVALS
We've just added two new SPFs that are worth knowing about.
A beautiful new addition from one of our favourite French pharmacy brands. Super lightweight, sleek packaging and invisible on the skin.
If you're serious about protection, this is the SPF for you. Supports skin barrier function and hydration while keeping skin safe.
Our most recommended for acne-prone skin. Super comfortable, no white cast, doesn't congest pores, and sits well under makeup. For patients on prescription treatments where the skin is already sensitised, this is almost always our first recommendation.
A gel-texture SPF with a clean, lightweight finish. No fragrance, no alcohol, and it contains niacinamide and eight types of hyaluronic acid, which makes it an unusually good multi-tasker for an SPF.
A reliable all-rounder with a completely clear, barely-there matte finish. Particularly good for all skin tones, and one I'd comfortably recommend for acne-prone skin too.
When shopping for SPF for oily or acne-prone skin, you want lightweight, non-comedogenic, ideally with a matte or satin finish.
Another option for oily skin types is Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Matte: we've pulled this one from our active recommendations as the finish runs darker than most, but it's still a great SPF. Just keep that in mind if when browsing!
An upgraded version of the original Relief Sun, with rice seed water, panthenol (vitamin B5), and colloidal oatmeal. It's lightweight and watery in texture, absorbs cleanly, and leaves a sheer, dewy finish with no white cast. A genuinely lovely everyday option for dry skin.
A slightly richer texture than the gel mentioned above, with a hydrating finish that works well if you find lighter SPFs too drying in colder months.
When shopping for SPF for dry or dehydrated skin, you want something hydrating that sits comfortably without emphasising dryness or texture.
Already mentioned above, but it deserves a second mention here. Completely sheer, zinc oxide-based, no fragrance. One of the most tolerated SPFs for reactive skin.
A serum-texture SPF with centella asiatica and aloe (both well-known for calming and soothing reactive skin). Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and a safe bet for anyone whose skin flares with some SPFs.
When shopping for SPF for reactive, sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, you want minimal ingredients, no fragrance, and ideally mineral filters (zinc oxide) which tend to be better tolerated on reactive skin.
SPF For pigmentation-prone skin
Standard protection isn't always enough here. You want an SPF that also actively works against pigmentation.
Heliocare 360° Pigment Solution Fluid SPF50+ is the one specifically designed for this. It combines niacinamide and ellagic acid alongside broad-spectrum SPF50+ to both protect and target existing pigmentation.
For melasma specifically, I'd layer this over a non-tinted SPF: applying the No-Show Mineral first, then the Heliocare Pigment Solution on top.
The combination of chemical and mineral filters gives broader coverage, and the pigmented finish provides additional protection against visible light.
FOR ON THE GO REAPPLICATION
Reapplying SPF during the day is the step most people skip, usually because it's impractical over makeup. These formats solve that problem.
A great portable option for topping up protection throughout the day.
SPF stick that protects while controlling oil and providing a soft matte finish.
a weightless, invisible stick SPF that's ideal for reapplication on the go. Controls oil and doubles as a primer.
Our favourite reapplication option; a brush-on powder SPF that applies directly over makeup for touch-ups.
An SPF specifically formulated for the eye area, which is one of the most UV-exposed and often most neglected areas. Worth adding if you're thorough about your protection.
A nourishing lip treatment with SPF35, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. The lips are easy to forget and genuinely vulnerable to sun damage. A simple habit to add.
Whatever SPF you choose, choose one you'll use every day. The best SPF is the one that works for your skin and fits into your routine without friction.
