8 Sunscreens With Skin-Loving Ingredients
Flick is Adore Beauty’s Creative Copywriter. She started her writing career covering women’s sports and interviewing musicians and can often be found photographing gigs on the side. She’s no stranger to a rotating skincare cabinet and is currently on the lookout for a skincare routine that caters to redness, sensitivity and texture. She also used to complain when her mum would tell her to wear sunscreen and for that, she'd like to publicly apologise
I grew up with an SPF-obsessed mother and I am so SO grateful… now.
Back then, being slathered in not-so-invisible, ultra-white cast sunscreen used to make me feel self-conscious – in primary school there was a kid in one of my classes who'd sometimes loudly ask "Who smells like sunscreen?" and then wrinkle his nose and make direct eye contact with my little zinc smeared face.
Why am I bringing this up?
Because a) I'd like to satisfy the pettiness of my inner child by outing some really low-stakes bullying and b) to reminisce on just how far sunscreen formulas have come.
There’s no getting around it, sunscreen is important.
It’s meant to be used as directed by the label, and as a part of your larger sun protection routine, shout it from the rooftops – slip, slop, slap, seek, slide people!!
Applying, and reapplying a broad spectrum, high-protection SPF every day should be high priority.
Before Adore Beauty launched AB LAB they surveyed over 800 people and found that one-third still aren’t wearing sunscreen regularly (insert the sound of sobbing dermatologists and cancer researchers everywhere).
In that same survey, 80% of participants said that they would use an SPF daily if it included a cosmeceutical or active skincare ingredient.
Well, although the most important part of sunscreen will always be UVA and UVB protection, the best sunscreen is the one you’re going to wear (and reapply) daily.
We’re going through a sunscreen revolution, gone are the days of chalky, white cast formulas that leave you looking like a greaseball.
I’ve rounded up eight sunscreens with added skincare ingredients that go the extra mile to ensure your skin is nourished, repaired, and rejuvenated all while offering broad-spectrum UV protection.
Before we begin, It bears repeating the sun safety messaging here –
ALWAYS follow the directions for use. Sunscreen is only one part of your sun protection routine, so make sure you also wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling, and perspiring in accordance with directions.
Now, on with the show!
1. Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF 50+
Suited for: All skin types, but especially skin that’s sensitive or sensitised from skin treatments or active overuse.
Helps with: Soothing and nourishing the skin as well as those prone to blemishes, sensitivity, and redness.
Finish: Semi-Matte.
This Medik8 physical SPF has been designed to soothe and nourish your skin and is packed with antioxidants as well as anti-pollution, anti-infrared, and anti-glycation technology.
Sounds complicated? It is, but basically, it’s like a lightweight mask that helps reflect UV rays and shield the skin from other environmental aggressors.
2. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial SUNSCREEN SPF 50+
Suited for: Dry to normal skin types.
Helps with: Hydration.
Finish: Satin.
This multi-hyphenate three-in-one SPF combines your moisturiser, SPF and primer into one handy space-saving tube.
If you’re struggling to find an SPF that sits well under makeup, this may be the one for you, Ultra Violette has tested this bad boy under a mountain of different makeup products and it continues to pass the test.
3. Alpha-H Dawn To Dusk SPF 50+ Serum.
Suited for: All skin types.
Helps with: Dryness, dehydration, skin barrier support, and oil regulation.
Finish: Glowy.
A lightweight serum sunscreen that’s infused with vitamin E, aloe vera and niacinamide to hydrate the skin while offering some oil regulation benefits.
It offers a sheer but glowy finish that will leave your skin luminous.
4. AB LAB By Adore Beauty Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk.
Suited for: Dry to normal skin types
Helps with: Hydration and helps even out skin tone and texture.
Finish: Dewy
AB LAB’s best-selling sunscreen Dewy-C contains resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, carnosine, and Kakadu plum extract.
It is specifically formulated to offer SPF protection while helping even out your skin tone, improve hydration, protect the skin against premature ageing, and neutralise the effects of free-radical damage.
5. Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control.
Suited for: Normal, combination and dry skin types.
Helps with: Reducing the appearance of pigmentation.
Finish: Satin.
This sunscreen has a slightly tinted formula and contains a collagen pro shield and a depigmenting ingredient that helps to regulate melanin synthesis.
It’s been formulated to help anyone treating their pigmentation currently, or looking to target it in the future.
6. La Roche-Posay Anthelios KA+ SPF 50+
Suited for: All skin types, but it’s noncomedogenic and contains niacinamide and panthenol so the formula is especially suited to sensitive and oil-prone skin types.
Helps with: Hydration, skin barrier support, and oil control.
Finish: Non-greasy sheer finish.
La Roche-Posay is famous for its SPF formulas, and this is the new kid on the block.
Anthelios KA+ SPF 50+ can aid in the prevention of solar keratosis, and you can read more about that here.
It’s also packed with antioxidants to help hydrate and repair the skin moisture barrier.
Products With Added SPF.
Until I started working in the world of beauty, I had no idea there was a difference between sunscreens and products containing SPF, meaning that just because your foundation is SPF 30 –– doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen. I know, mind blown.
Products that contain SPF, but have a primary purpose other than SPF protection (think tinted moisturisers, primers, lip products) are classified as *secondary* sunscreens.
They’re kind of a ‘nice to have’ and should be seen as an accessory to your primary sunscreen in your routine.
1. Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF50 Lip Balm.
A gloss that defends your lips from the sun while keeping them smooth, soft, and hydrated.
This tube of pout-protecting balmy goodness is packed full of vitamins, comes in six different shades and won’t leave your lips feeling sticky.
2. Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist.
Not to be used as your main SPF, but Preen Screen is a great option if you’re looking to reapply on the fly, especially handy if you’re at an outdoor event and wearing a full face (aka a good purse staple during wedding season).
It’s got added niacinamide, vitamin C, and vitamin E for extra skin soothing, and will give your makeup a face-mist style refresh.
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