Best Face Sunscreens UK 2026: 10 Lightweight SPFs Tested for Every Skin Type

There is nothing quite like the warmth of the sun on your face after a long, dreary winter. But before you bask in it, you should always apply an SPF. That is especially true if you use vitamin C and retinol serums, which can increase your vulnerability to sun damage. If you are not wearing an SPF every day, you might as well toss the rest of your skincare out of the window.

As well as the risk of sunburn, UV rays cause longer-lasting, deeper skin damage, resulting in age spots, pigmentation and premature ageing. But if the thought of slathering sticky sunscreens on your face every day makes you want to spend your life in perpetual shade, you have come to the right place.

Dedicated facial SPFs are designed to feel weightless, sit well under makeup and leave no trace on the skin, so you can skip that ghostly white cast or looking like a greasy mess. I have spent the past three months putting the most popular face SPFs to the test; you will find my pick of the best below.

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

At a glance

Best face SPF overall: Beauty of Joseon relief sun rice + probiotics, from £12.40 for 50ml
Best budget face SPF: E45 Sensitive Sun face cream, £10.39 for 50ml
Best face sunscreen for oily skin: Haruharu Wonder black rice moisture airyfit daily sunscreen, £11.20 for 50ml
Best face sunscreen for dry skin: Laneige Hydro UV Defense Ex, £20.80 for 50ml
Best face sunscreen spray: Naked Sundays hydrating glow face mist, £24 for 75ml

Why you should trust me

As a beauty writer, I am constantly testing new skincare. I have worn face SPF every day for the past five years, and tested 30 formulations for this roundup, so I have become well acquainted with the best and worst aspects of a facial sunscreen.

I have also completed a course in cosmetic science, which has taught me everything I need to know about how a brand might formulate an SPF, and what to check for in an ingredients list. It also taught me what works for different skin types, including sensitive skin. These recommendations are the result of months of testing and my analysis of any skincare benefits.

How I tested

I started with each sunscreen's formulation. Sun sticks, sprays, creams and lotions all have advantages and disadvantages, but I was looking for those that would apply smoothly, without leaving a greasy film or white cast on the skin. They also had to play nicely with makeup and skincare serums. Over each day of testing, I took note of how well each SPF lasted on my face. Any extra oil buildup, stinging in my eyes or makeup separation were huge red flags.

Many SPFs for the face also include skincare benefits. In those cases, I checked for extra protective antioxidant ingredients, hydrating humectants or other hard-working actives on top of the UV filters.

Efficacy is tricky to judge without a skin-imaging camera. However, advanced facialist Mariam Abbas reassured me that "for an SPF to be approved for retail sale, it must undergo stringent safety and efficacy testing. This process is expensive and time-consuming, so if you see an SPF on the shelf, the brand has already met significant regulatory standards." Any facial SPFs I have included here are at least SPF30, with UVA protection, since this is the minimum protection recommended by experts. Sunscreen from many Asian countries uses PA as the rating system for UVA protection (SPF is a measure of UVB protection). The more pluses that come after the PA, the better the protection you are getting.

The best face SPFs in 2026

Best face SPF overall: Beauty of Joseon relief sun rice + probiotics

What we love: Luxury silky texture; quick absorption; non-greasy feel

What we don't love: There is nothing I don't love about this sunscreen

Every time I tell a fellow beauty journalist that I am writing about facial SPFs, they almost always suggest the Beauty of Joseon Relief sun cream. This was also the first Korean skincare product I ever tried. I struggle with acne and sensitive skin that rarely feels "balanced", so I am often reluctant to try products that come with a lot of hype. Thankfully, however, the sunscreen kept all its promises, with a lightweight texture that calmed my skin while keeping it hydrated.

Pickt after-article banner — collaborative shopping lists app with family illustration

The formula offers high SPF50+ to protect against UVB, and the highest level of UVA protection, PA++++. As with any sun cream, you will need to apply enough of it, multiple times a day, to reach that level of protection. And its silky, luxurious texture makes that easy. If you told me it cost twice the price, I would believe you. It sinks in quickly, leaving a soft, natural finish that is neither too oily nor too matt. Skin looks healthy and is perfectly primed for makeup.

The formula combines rice bran water with probiotics to balance the skin's microbiome and soothe irritation, while niacinamide brightens, glycerine hydrates and propanediol gives a refreshing feel. With all that skincare packed in, those with oily skin could use this in place of a moisturiser. At the same time, on my drier skin days, it layers well with thicker moisturising creams without pilling.

Best budget face SPF: E45 sensitive sun face cream

What we love: High protection, hydrating, lightweight and non-greasy

What we don't love: Stings slightly if it gets in the eyes

Admittedly, this cream is not that much cheaper than my top choice, but its creamy consistency means you should not need to apply a day moisturiser beneath. If you want high sun protection and good hydration at a good price, this comes highly recommended.

This SPF's creamy, mid-weight texture spreads over the skin evenly, locking in moisture and drying down to a soft matt finish that leaves no trace and is not greasy in the slightest. As well as offering SPF50+ and UVA protection, it has all the hallmarks of a good protective moisturiser. Shea butter softens, glycerine and hyaluronic acid hydrate, and squalane and antioxidant vitamin E protect the skin barrier.

It arrives in a compact bottle that is fully recyclable and also perfect for travel. Throw in that it is gentle on sensitive skin and water-resistant, and the E45 sensitive sun face cream is a solid sunscreen that is a great choice for most people.

Best face sunscreen for oily skin: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit daily sunscreen

What we love: Light-as-air texture; brilliant hydration without oiliness

What we don't love: Slightly funky smell

Applying the wrong SPF on oily skin can quickly leave your face looking greasy. But Haruharu Wonder's sunscreen has a velvety texture that sinks in quickly and feels almost imperceptible on the skin. Its hydrating formula means those with oily skin can probably skip the moisturiser altogether.

This sunscreen has high SPF50+ and PA++++ protection from UVA yet is packed with gentle, calming and brightening ingredients to support the skin, too. Alongside glycerine and niacinamide for hydration and brightening, there is also rice-bran oil, which includes nourishing fatty acids, protective antioxidants and softening emollients.

To pack all that into a cream that feels super lightweight is impressive, and I was even happier to find that it sat beautifully under makeup and left no white cast. It is free of drying alcohols, fragrance and essential oils, making it suitable for sensitive skin, and the pump applicator kept things hygienic.

Best face sunscreen for dry skin: Laneige Hydro UV Defense Ex

What we love: Thick texture for intense hydration with high protection

What we don't love: Could be too dense for some

If you have dry skin, finding a sunscreen that moisturises, hydrates and protects the skin barrier is key. The Laneige Hydro Defence SPF is the richest of the formulas here, and is designed to give exactly those benefits.

This SPF50 cream combines UVA protection with deep hydration. The humectant glycerine draws hydro-ionised mineral water into the deeper layers of the skin, leaving it feeling replenished and refreshed. In addition, popular Korean ingredient centella asiatica strengthens the skin barrier, improves hydration and acts as a protective antioxidant. The focus on skin barrier health aims to prevent trans-epidermal water loss, reducing the symptoms of dry skin over time.

In tests, I found the thicker texture kept my skin feeling well moisturised throughout the day, without any pilling. In fact, the boost in hydration left skin looking plump and dewy, forming the perfect base for makeup.

Best face sunscreen spray: Naked Sundays hydrating glow face mist

What we love: Easy reapplication; light feel; perfect handbag essential

What we don't love: It is expensive, and lightly fragranced

To get the best sun protection, you need to reapply sunscreen regularly – but there is nothing more heartbreaking than having to smear SPF over the top of a flawless face of makeup. A sunscreen spray is the obvious solution, and my favourite is the Naked Sundays hydrating glow face mist. This Australian brand's formula is perfect for SPF top-ups, while the skincare actives will keep you glowing all day.

Many aerosols can feel drying, reek of alcohol, or cause makeup to separate. But this Naked Sundays formula dispenses an ultra-fine mist of sunscreen, covering your face in seven sprays. And since it is transparent, you can apply it as liberally as you like, with no splotchiness.

It has a sweet sherbet-like scent that fades quickly, masking the usual alcohol smell common in sunscreen sprays, so that it is far more pleasant to reapply. It also layers well over makeup, offers SPF50+ broad spectrum protection, and comes in 75ml or a handbag-friendly 30ml size.

The best of the rest

Childs Farm sun cream

Best for: kids and sensitive skin

If you are met with a grimace every time you try to smother your kids in SPF, opting for one that does not stink or sting their eyes might save you a tantrum. This SPF50+ cream from Childs Farm is not designed specifically for their wee faces, but it offers five-star UVA protection, water resistance, and is ideal for those with very sensitive, eczema-prone skin. It is safe for children over six months old and approved by paediatricians and dermatologists.

La Roche Posay UVSport pro-resistance stick

Best for: a stick face sunscreen

Many sunscreen sticks are incredibly greasy and can feel like you are applying a slippery wax or stick of butter to the skin. Not so with La Roche Posay's UVSport stick, which glides on to the skin smoothly, feels so lightweight that it is almost imperceptible, and comes with the brand's patented UV filter, Mexoryl 400, to fight ultra-long UVA rays.

Supergoop! Protec(Tint)

Best for: a tinted sunscreen

On hot days, the last thing you want to do is apply a full face of makeup. Tinted SPFs offer a brilliant middle ground, providing just enough coverage for a confidence boost but without feeling heavy. The best tinted SPF I have ever used is the Supergoop! Protec(Tint), which has high SPF50 protection with UVA.

RoC Multi Correxion hydrate + plump

Best for: lightweight hydration and plumping

If you are not a fan of applying heavier SPF creams, then ROC's Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump SPF30 is a lightweight gel alternative. The formula includes hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines, alongside SPF30.

Byoma Ultralight face fluid

Best for: lightweight barrier repair

If you want to improve your skin barrier without the heaviness of a barrier repair cream, the Byoma Ultralight Face Fluid could be what you need. This lightweight, waterlike formula contains Byoma's Cerasun complex, which uses ceramides to restore the skin barrier while alleviating redness caused by UV. It also includes the antioxidant astaxanthin and hyaluronic acid.

What you need to know

How much sunscreen should I apply to my face, and what factor should I use?

"For the face and neck, apply about half a teaspoon, roughly two finger-lengths of product," advises consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips. This amount will provide the labelled level of protection. Most experts recommend opting for at least SPF30, or higher, if you spend a lot of time outdoors. But the SPF rating is not all you should consider, as this only protects against UVB. "UVA protection is equally important," continues Phillips. "Look for the UVA circle logo, which indicates the product meets EU standards."

What is the difference between UVA and UVB protection?

Fundamentally, sunscreens protect you from UVA and UVB rays. They have different impacts on the skin. "UVA are the longest rays that penetrate the skin all the way to the dermis," says Abbas. "UVB are shorter, so they penetrate the epidermis and cause tanning, sunburn and skin cancer." UVA's effects are more gradual and covert. "They break down collagen and cause skin ageing, and can pass through clouds and glass." This is why experts recommend wearing facial SPF every day, even if you are staying indoors.

Chemical vs mineral SPFs

Thanks to their physical mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, mineral SPFs work as soon as they are applied. However, since the mineral filters provide sun protection by reflecting UV light, they tend to leave a white cast on the skin. According to Phillips, "older formulations used larger [mineral] particles that reflected and scattered more UV light". Newer formulations use smaller mineral particles, but are still reflective and more likely than chemical sunscreens to leave a white cast on darker skin tones.

Should sunscreen go on top of or underneath makeup?

"Apply sunscreen after your usual moisturiser and before makeup," says Phillips. "When reapplying, it is fine to apply on top of makeup, although using a generous amount is still important." Some SPFs do not layer well with makeup. The most common complaint is pilling, which is when products roll up on your skin as you apply them. "SPF tends to pill when it cannot form an even film on the skin," continues Phillips. This usually happens when your previous layer of skincare has not fully absorbed.

Can I just use a body sunscreen on my face?

"There is no hard-and-fast rule against using a body SPF on the face. It will still provide protection from UV rays," says Abbas. I can also understand the temptation, since a 50ml facial SPF often costs the same as a 200ml body sunscreen. Sadly, it is not so simple. "Facial SPFs are typically developed with greater precision, considering factors such as ingredients that will not sting the eyes or sensitise the skin." Furthermore, Abbas says, "Body SPFs tend to be richer and heavier, which can be comedogenic when used on the face. This may lead to blocked pores and breakouts, and can also cause makeup to pill."

Does sunscreen expire?

Yes. Phillips says, "the filters can degrade over time and become less effective". So, it is always worth checking the expiry dates on your sunscreen, regardless of whether it is for face or body. They tend to last six to 12 months after opening, but remain stable for up to three years if unopened. To check the expiry time, look for a small period-after-opening symbol on the bottle, which looks like an open tub. This should contain the length of time a product is safe for – "12M" would mean 12 months.