As you might be able to tell if you've ever seen a photograph of me, I'm an incredibly pale/fair redhead with quite a lot of freckles. As a result, sun protection is no laughing matter for me. Which is why I've put many and I really do mean many, sun tan lotions and facial SPFs to the test over the years. And I'm here to share my top SPF for face and body picks today.
Since it's technically Summer, even though it's raining outside as I type this. I wanted to share some of my holy grail products. As well as ones that have just hit the market, that are all well worth trying out. So if you're a double for Casper The Friendly Ghost, like I am. Or you are just looking for a great sun tan lotion, or a few, to take with you on your Summer holiday. Hopefully there should be at least one that will work for you, regardless of your skin type and shade. There's also some facial SPFs which will protect you from the sun's rays come rain or shine. And here they are;
My favourite super high protection SPF
First up we have the Ultrasun Very High 50+ SPF. This really is a holy grail product for me as it perfectly caters for me and my skin. Not only is it ideal for sensitive skin but it's water resistant, isn't perfumed and is anti-aging. Basically everything I could ever want or need from a sun protection product. This has kept me well protected in the blistering hot sun on many different trips to Florida and it's just one of those instant re-buy items for me.
Superdrug Solait
Next up we have three products from Superdrug's Solait line. When it comes to budget and drugstore sun protection, Superdrug really are the best in the business, in my opinion. They truly have something for every single sun related need and it won't cost you arm and a leg to try out several products from the range or to kit out the entire family each Summer. Case in point; where else would you find an SPF 30 anti-aging face fluid for just £3.49? It's also unbelievably hydrating, something that can't be said for all sun protection products.
They've also just released the Enhanced Sun Lotion*, available in both SPF 30 and 50. This stuff is enriched with Vitamin E, helping to protect the skin against collagen breakdown as well as shielding from free radicals, all for less than a tenner. And I always tend to carry one of their pouches around with me in my handbag or backpack when I'm on holiday as it saves me toting a big bottle around but also allows me to re-apply throughout the day, regardless of where I am.
Two from Clinique
I wasn't even aware that Clinique did sun protection until the two items that feature in today's post were sent out to me. Both the face* and the body* mineral sunscreen fluids are ideal for those of us with sensitive skin. Both are also oil-free and don't leave you with the classic 'I've just applied sunscreen' look. They're also incredibly lightweight and sink in quickly, which makes them perfect for the whole family.
Fantastic facial SPFs
Even though I admitted earlier that I don't always remember to apply SPF on a daily basis (I blame Scotland's unpredictable weather for that and of course, my own laziness), when I do make the effort to, it has to be Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense. With an SPF of 50, this more than protects my fair and freckly skin and as it's not your typical sun protection product, it feels more like part of my skincare routine than it does a sun tan lotion. It's not greasy (a big plus point), doesn't make me look even paler and will hopefully be the one product that keeps sun related wrinkles and dark spots at bay for many years to come.
Another facial SPF that has only very recently come into my life is the Aveda Daily Light Guard SPF 30*. Whilst this works well for all skin tones, this is the one I would reach for if I was prone to acne or recurring breakouts. It's not as moisturising as Kiehl's facial SPF option but definitely worth checking out if you have problem skin in particular.
One of my favourites for the body
And last but not least, we finish with Kiehl's Activated Sun Protector SPF 50 lotion for the body*. For some reason, up until now anyway, I've always opted for drugstore sun tan lotions for my body. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I prefer to fork out more for facial SPFs as my face is on show all day every day, whereas parts of my body remain hidden for most of the year. But after trying this lotion, I might need to change my stance on that. This has everything I'd want from a sun tan lotion for the body; SPF of 50, water resistant (great for holidays where you spend a lot of time in the pool or at water parks), oil-free, fragrance free and safe for sensitive skin. This will definitely be coming with me to Florida later in the year, along with quite a few of the other sun protection products mentioned in today's post.
What are your favourite sun protection products? Have you tried any of the products mentioned in today's post? If so, what do you think of them? And have I introduced you to any that you'd like to try?
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