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11 best face sunscreens for 2025, tested by a beauty expert

I’ve tested everything from budget options to luxe formulas ideal for dry, oily or acne-prone skin types

Lucy Partington
Wednesday 02 July 2025 12:46 BST
As an experienced beauty editor, these are the formulas I recommend you turn to
As an experienced beauty editor, these are the formulas I recommend you turn to (The Independent )
Our Top Picks

Everyone knows you should wear sunscreen every single day, but keeping up with the golden rule of skincare can be tricky when so many facial sunscreens feel greasy, chalky or just plain unpleasant.

We spoke to CeraVe consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite about why sunscreen is worth the hassle. “In short, broad-spectrum sunscreens protect skin against UV light produced by the sun. The two main types that impact skin are UVA and UVB, and together they are responsible for producing changes within the skin that can lead to sunburn and skin cancer along with things like pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. Dr Granite adds that nearly 80 per cent of the visible signs of ageing are due to UV exposure, which we’re exposed to even on cold and cloudy days.

Applying the right amount is important too. “The ‘two-finger’ rule is a good one to know," advises Dr Granite. Just squeeze two strips of sunscreen along your index and middle fingers to get adequate coverage for your face, and remember to reapply every couple of hours if you're in the sun. If you use a moisturiser or foundation with SPF, it probably isn’t cutting it. As Dr Granite points out, you'd need to use far more of that product than is practical to get the stated protection.

So the real secret to consistent sun protection isn't just remembering to do it – it's finding a formula you actually want to apply.

With that in mind, we’ve tested a whole host of formulas to find the very best sunscreens for your face – ones that are lightweight, non-sticky, and play nice with makeup. These are the best facial sunscreens we found.

How I tested

(Lucy Partington)

I incorporated these sunscreens into my daily routine for a few days at a time. The skincare paired with them remained the same each time – a hydrating serum, Byoma’s phyto mucin glow serum (£14.72, Amazon.co.uk) and an antioxidant, Tatcha’s the brightening serum (£86, Spacenk.com) – and I made sure each one was used underneath makeup to test if any formula piled when my foundation was applied on top.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

Lucy Partington is an established beauty editor who has worked in the cosmetics industry for more than 10 years. She’s written about everything from moisturisers to cleansing oils from the likes of Bioderma, Medik8 and so many more. She’s garnered experience speaking to dermatologists and knows the ingredients to seek out (and avoid) to keep your skin safe from harsh UV rays, all year round.

The best sunscreens for your face for 2025 are:

  • Best overall – Heliocare 360 gel-oil free SPF50: £22.95, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget buy – Byoma ultralight face fluid SPF30: £14.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for oily skin – Garnier BHA+niacinamide daily UV anti-blemish fluid SPF50: £12.99, Boots.com
  • Best for dry skin– CeraVe AM facial moisturizing lotion SPF50: £11.75, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for a glowy finish – Kate Somerville hydrakate illuminating SPF50 drops: £39, Cultbeauty.co.uk

1
Heliocare 360 gel-oil free SPF50

Heliocare best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: Overall
  • SPF: 50
  • Key ingredients: Fernblock, vitamin C, vitamin E
  • Why we love it
    • Moisturising
    • Non-greasy

A brand often recommended by the dermatologists I speak to – and for good reason. The texture is lightweight, it’s truly oil-free. It absorbs quickly and easily without leaving the skin feeling greasy.

Heliocare best facial SPF review testing shot indybest
(Lucy Partington)

It is initially sticky on application but that subsides quickly, and I found it to be lovely to layer under make-up. It won’t clog pores, making it a good choice for acne-prone skin types, plus, the formula is bolstered with antioxidant protection for extra added benefits. It also survived several sweaty workouts and didn’t cause my eyes to sting.

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2
Byoma ultralight face fluid SPF30

Byoma best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: Budget buy
  • SPF: 30 (also available in 50)
  • Key ingredients: Bisabolol, asthaxanthin
  • Why we love it
    • Lightweight
    • Hydrating
    • Supports skin barrier

Byoma has gone from strength to strength in a few short years, and thankfully, its newest sunscreen launch lives up to the hype. It’s ideal for all skin types, including oily and combination skin, and is available in both SPF30 and SPF50.

As with all Byoma products, it’s bolstered with the brand’s signature barrier-boosting ingredients, including ceramides and niacinamide, and works to help support overall skin health while protecting against damaging UV rays. It blends effortlessly into the skin, and I found it to be a great, extremely affordable everyday sunscreen that’s easy to wear.

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3
Dr PawPaw SPF50 day cream

Dr Paw Paw best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: For extra hydration
  • SPF: 50
  • Key ingredients: Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid
  • Why we love it
    • Affordable
    • Lightweight
    • Absorbs into skin well

Dr PawPaw isn’t a brand that I’ve used much of, but this SPF50 day cream ticks all of my boxes when it comes to sunscreen. It’s a beautifully lightweight formula that absorbs into the skin quickly and easily, leaving a healthy-looking glow in its wake.

It also feels incredibly hydrating and nourishing, thanks to the addition of papaya extract combined with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. I also loved the packaging and how easy it was to squeeze out the right amount.

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4
Garnier BHA+niacinamide daily UV anti-blemish fluid SPF50

Garnier best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: For oily skin
  • SPF: 50
  • Key ingredients: BHA, niacinamide
  • Why we love it
    • Lightweight
    • Non-comedogenic

I have been through multiple tubes of this sunscreen since its launch at the start of 2024, which can only mean good things, right? Incredibly lightweight yet effective, I love the combination of BHAs (known for their ability to reduce the appearance of blemishes and excess oil) and niacinamide (known to soften and smooth skin), which work together to help prevent blemishes and breakouts while simultaneously protecting the skin.

The formula is incredibly watery so take this as your warning, but don’t mistake that for a bad thing because I find that it blends and absorbs more quickly than most, and it’s virtually undetectable once it’s on, too.

One final thing to note is that this sunscreen does claim to mattify skin, but I didn’t really find that to be the case, so if you’re looking for a product that will then maybe skip this one.

  1.  £12 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
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5
CeraVe AM facial moisturizing lotion SPF50

Cerave best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: For dry skin
  • SPF: 50
  • Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
  • Why we love it
    • Moisturising
    • Non-greasy

Another one of my favourites, this one isn’t as lightweight as some other formulas tested and it does feel more like a traditional moisturiser, but it’s not at all greasy or sticky. It absorbs nicely into the skin, but I found that it needs a little bit more rubbing in. Once that’s done all you’re left with is a healthy-looking glow, and I love how make-up wears on top of this formula, and the finish of it means it makes a great primer. Plus, like all CeraVe products, it’s bolstered with hardworking ingredients that nourish, protect and hydrate your skin.

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6
Kate Somerville hydrakate illuminating SPF50 drops

Kate Somerville best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: For a glow-giving finish
  • SPF: 50
  • Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, ectoin
  • Why we love it
    • Moisturising
    • Won’t sting eyes
  • Take note
    • Takes a little while to absorb into skin

I’m always happy to discover new 100 per cent mineral sunscreens that are lightweight – and these illuminating drops from Kate Somerville don’t disappoint. Not only does a mineral formula not cause eyes to sting, but this one is also slightly tinted, so, instead of being thick, chalky and white like some, this one shouldn’t leave a white cast on darker skin tones.

Kate Sommerville best facial SPF testing review indybest
The drops impart a natural-looking glow (Lucy Partington )

I did find that these drops took a while to absorb into the skin, but when they did they left a luminous, natural-looking glow in their wake, which I liked. But, if you’re prone to oily skin then you may find it a bit much depending on your personal preference. I also liked the addition of nourishing ingredients – so consider this to be a versatile product that combines skincare and sun protection well.

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7
Sculpted by Aimee beauty base all in one moisturising primer SPF30

Sculpted by Aimee best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: For under make-up
  • SPF: 50+
  • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, light-reflecting pigments
  • Why we love it
    • Glow-giving
    • Hydrating23

I’ve never met a Sculpted By Aimee product that I’ve not liked, and this moisturising primer with added sunscreen is no exception. A truly versatile product, it combines skincare, sun protection and make-up prep in one glow-giving product. Blending hyaluronic acid and peptides to help nourish and smooth the skin, I love the radiant finish it delivers. If you’re prone to oily skin, this may be a bit too much for you, but overall I found it to be a great ‘one-and-done’ product – just make sure to follow Dr Alexis Granite’s advice and apply enough for adequate protection.

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8
Supergoop! protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF50

Supergoop! best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: Tinted sunscreen
  • SPF: 50
  • Key ingredients: Ectoin, hyaluronic acid-infused clay
  • Why we love it
    • Natural-looking finish
    • Hydrating
    • 14 shades

I have a lot of time for Supergoop!, so I’m glad protec(tint) has finally made its way to the UK a year after its US launch. Formulated with 83 per cent skincare ingredients, including ectoin and hyaluronic acid, it’s available in 14 flexible shades.

Supergoop best facial SPF review testing indybest
Make sure you’re applying enough of the product (Lucy Partington )

I liked that the lightweight coverage was buildable, and it really does help to even out skin. It gives a good, dewy glow that lasts throughout the day. The one thing to be aware of is making sure you’re applying enough to get the SPF50 protection it promises, but since the product is buildable, I didn’t feel like I was applying too much. It’s a great multi-tasking product that was definitely worth the wait.

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9
Tatcha the silk sunscreen SPF50

Tatcha best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: Mineral sunscreen
  • SPF: 50
  • Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
  • Why we love it
    • Doesn’t sting eyes
    • Good mix of ingredients
    • Radiance-boosting

While Tatcha’s debut sunscreen might have a higher price point, it’s worth the cost if you ask me. Formulated with zinc oxide along with the skin-smoothing niacinamide and hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid, it’s lightweight and leaves a subtle glow in its wake.

It sits really well underneath make-up and, just like all other Tatcha products, applying it makes for a really lovely experience. It’s suitable for all skin types and is slightly tinted, so it doesn’t leave a white or grey cast on the skin. Plus, the applicator nozzle makes it easy to use the two-finger method that Dr Granite mentioned.

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10
Purifide daily moisturiser SPF30

Purifide best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: For spot-prone skin
  • SPF: 30
  • Key ingredients: Ceramides, allantoin, liquorice root extract
  • Why we love it
    • Non-sticky
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Suitable for teenagers

Ideal for both teenagers and adults with acne-prone skin, this lightweight, non-greasy formula has SPF30 protection and it works to help hydrate skin without the worry of it clogging pores. It sinks into the skin well and has a matte – but not too matte – finish, so it’s a great choice for anybody with oily or combination skin. That said, it might not be hydrating enough if you have very dry skin.

Like some of the other sunscreens I’ve tried, it contains a blend of soothing ingredients that work to help calm any irritation or redness which I thought was a nice addition, plus it’s a great price point and it works well as a base underneath make-up if needed.

  1.  £15 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
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11
Lancôme UV expert supra screen invisible UV serum SPF50+

Lancome best facial SPF review indybest
  • Best: Luxury option
  • SPF: 50+
  • Key ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin E
  • Why we love it
    • Non-sticky
    • Non-greasy
    • Lightweight
    • Luxurious

I love a lot of Lancôme’s skincare products, so I was excited about this serum-like sunscreen – and thankfully it didn’t let me down. Like the other lightweight products I’ve tried, this is also one that sinks into the skin quickly and is truly invisible on the skin, leaving no white cast. I was also a big fan of the added skincare benefits, including hydration and antioxidant protection. It’s a luxurious but effective option if that’s what you’re looking for.

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Facial sunscreen FAQs

Why do you need separate sunscreens for body and face?

Just as you wouldn’t use the same skincare product for your face and body, it’s best to use sunscreens that are specially formulated for your face.

Unlike your body, facial skin is exposed to environmental factors, meaning it’s also where some of your most delicate bits of skin are found – for example, the area under your eyes. Facial sunscreens are formulated to the same standards as skincare products and are designed to be comfortable to wear on your face, as well as being more lightweight and easily absorbed than sunscreens for your body. They also aren’t perfumed, and you can invest in different formulations depending on your skin type; dry, oily or combination.

Should you apply facial SPF daily?

While it’s essential to apply facial SPF when it’s sunny, it’s also recommended to apply some sun protection daily, whether that’s a dedicated sunscreen product or a moisturiser or foundation with SPF. UVA rays can still penetrate despite clouds or even window glass, so it’s best to help protect your skin against any possible rays.

Does sunscreen prevent tanning?

Wearing SPF doesn’t prevent tanning, as formulas aren’t able to protect your skin entirely from UVA. Factor 50 will protect you from 98 per cent of rays, while factor 30 shields you from 97 per cent of rays. This means it is still possible to get a tan while helping to protect your skin from sunburn.

Does sunscreen expire?

Sunscreen has a shelf-life of between two and three years, with most formulas remaining at their original strength for at least three years. However, once opened, sunscreen generally starts to lose its SPF efficacy after six to 12 months – make sure to read the label for clear guidance. So, although you can use leftover sunscreens the following year, it’s best to purchase a new one. Unopened sunscreen will also have an expiration date, telling you when it’s no longer effective.

The verdict: Sunscreen for your face

When it comes to the best sunscreen for your face, Heliocare really is the perfect all-rounder. But if you’re somebody with acne-prone, oily skin, or if you have a teenager that you’re looking out for, Purifide’s sunscreen is a great option.

However, Tatcha and Lancome both offer a truly invisible formula with a luxe, high-end feel, and Supergoop!’s tinted formula is great, too. But if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, choose Garnier or Byoma and you won’t go far wrong – trust me.

Keep your pout protected from the sun with our best SPF lip balms that are hydrating and non-sticky

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