SPF Is Always in Season! Here’s 9 Formulas To Protect and Slow Accelerated Ageing
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
Let’s address the SPF elephant in the room friends…
Recently, there’s been some negative noise surrounding sunscreens, and as Australians, that hits especially hard.
Why? Because we live in a country with one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world (read more here).
According to the Cancer Council:
Each year, more than 2000 Australians die from this almost entirely preventable disease. Overexposure to UV radiation causes 95% of melanomas.
If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that daily sunscreen isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Sunscreen being positioned as something harmful for you is not just misleading, it’s so incredibly dangerous, because not only is it one extremely crucial part of sun safety (seeking shade and wearing protective clothing the other) it can help save your life.
That’s not hyperbole, it's fact/science.
But here’s the other thing, sunscreen is not and should not be thought of as just reserved for summer and the sun.
If you’re serious about protecting your skin from premature ageing, applying SPF should be part of your daily skincare routine.
To put it simply, think of this way:
- UVA - Ageing
- UVB - Burning
So although we’re still very much in the throes of winter, here’s your firm reminder that you should STILL be wearing your SPF every darn day, because those UVA rays? They don’t take a seasonal break, they’re working year-round to accelerate ageing and undo all your skincare efforts.
Lucky for us, Adore Beauty happens to house an exceptional selection of sunscreens, so you can find your perfect match, no matter your skin type, chemical, physical preference or texture preference.
But first...
According to the Cancer Council of Australia:
Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before exposure to UV in order to create the intended protective barrier. It should be applied liberally and evenly to clean and dry skin.
For an adult, the recommended application is 5mL (approximately one teaspoon) for each arm, leg, body front, body back and face (including neck and ears). That equates to a total of 35mL (approximately seven teaspoons) for a full body application.
Looking for a new SPF, or about to go on travel? We've have endless options, here's just a bunch...
1. mesoestetic mesoprotech melan 130 pigment control
From underrated cosmeceutical brand mesoestetic, this SPF also has nourishing ingredients like jojoba esters and sunflower seed oil.
Good for: Those with pigmentation.
What else you need to know:
- SPF 50+
- Water-resistant
- Has a lightweight texture and tinted emulsion for all skin types.
2. AB LAB by Adore Beauty Barely There SPF50+ Facial Sun Cream
Adore Beauty's in house brand has crafted a weightless SPF with a "barely there" feel and hydrating and plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to bring you skin care and and sun protection in one.
Good for: Dry and ageing skins.
What else you need to know:
- SPF50+
- Has a natural, undetectbale finish
- Leaves skin feeling moisturised and plump
3. Viviology Weightless Protection SPF50+ Sun Fluid
Good for: Those who want an SPF that delivers on protection and brightening the complexion.
When a sunscreen (or any skincare product for that matter) is made with a skin expert, you know it's worth adding to cart. This one by Viviology, is a facial sunscreen lotion with skin-loving ingredients like Niacinamide and Kakadu Plum Oil.
What else you need to know:
- SPF 50+
- Is Australian Made and sustainably packaged
- Is Cruelty Free and Vegan
- Contains next-gen chemical filters that provide high level protection from UVA & UVB rays
- Helps to regulate oil production with key ingredients Niacinamide & Jojoba Oil
- Provides antioxidant protection with Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E) & Kakadu Plum Oil
- Has a natural soft matte finish
4. Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral SKINSCREEN™
For those who have historically found mineral sunscreens not-so-nice on the skin, this one will completely change your mind. This is one that is in my personal sunscreen rotation. See how it applied on my skin and others here (spoiler- like second-skin)
Good for: Those who previously have never been able to find a mineral sunscreen that doesn't leave a chalky residue.
What else you need to know:
- Skin-boosting ingredients in the formula include: hydrating Japanese Zinc, Squalane, and Vitamin E
- Delivers lightweight, non-greasy UVA + UVB protection
- Australian Made, Cruelty Free and Vegan
5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+
My OG SPF and the sunscreen for travelling I'll be packing with me. Why? That compact, non-glass bottle and also carry-on friendly size? Chef's kiss.
Good for: Those who want an invisible and dewy finish under makeup.
What else you need to know:
- A lightweight, fragrance-free, invisible sunscreen that delivers superior SPF50+ protection
- Ideal for those with sensitive, normal, or combination skin types
- Non-stinging formula with a non-greasy texture
Still stuck on which SPF is for you? Watch the YouTube video below for even more options:
6. Alpha-H Dawn To Dusk SPF 50+ Serum with Niacinamide
The geniuses behind Liquid Gold and Midnight Reboot have crafted a silky SPF boasting with hydrating and soothing ingredients for all skins in mind.
Good for: Those who need an extra hit of calming and skin-supporting ingredients in their SPF.
What else you need to know:
- SPF 50+, providing very high broad-spectrum protection
- Silky, lightweight and fast-absorbing serum-lotion
- Dries down clear and is suitable for all skin tones
- Suitable to wear under makeup
- Infused with Niacinamide, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to nourish skin
- Has a smooth, luminous finish
- Cruelty-free, Vegan and Australian-made
- Packaged in a sleek serum bottle dropper format
- Fragrance-Free
- Formulated without parabens, SLS and SLES, petroleum, phthalates, mineral oil, artificial fragrance, artificial colours
7. Standard Procedure SPF 50+ Sunscreen
In exciting news, Adore Beauty now stocks Standard Procedure. You may have spotted this cool SPF brand in niche stores, and now you can add their whole range to cart!
Good for: Those looking for an organic, chemical formula.
What else you need to know:
- SPF 50+
- Also comes in a super cute travel-friendly version with a bag hook
- Designed to withstand the toughest elements.
- Infused with added Australian superfruits, antioxidants and Vitamins A, B + C.
- Is 4 HR water resistant
- Is fast absorbing with a dry touch formula
8. Skinstitut Face The Day SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen
An oil-free sunscreen with a lightweight, undetectable matte finish.
Good for: Those who want to avoid extra oiliness and shine.
What else you need to know:
- SPF 50+
- UV absorbing and Blue Light Blocking
- Oil-free, lightweight
- Matte finish
- For normal to oily skin
- Vanilla scent
9. Aspect Sun Tinted Physical SPF 50+
A mineral, cosmeceutical sunscreen with a colour-correcting tint that helps to even out skin tone.
Good for: Ageing skin who prefers a physical sunscreen.
What else you need to know:
- Helps minimise the ageing effects of UV exposure
- Has a sheer finish
- Is benzophenone free
- Suitable for all skin types
And always please remember friends, while SUPER SUPER important, sunscreen is only one part of sun safety, please also remember to also always wear protective clothing, and always seek shade where the sun is out!
For more sunscreen options and info, read these next:
