Thursday 16 June 2016

The Best Facial Suncare & SPF Explained

We all know we should be protecting our face from the sun year-round, but especially so in the summer. I always make sure to use a higher factor in the sunnier months, and also focus more on dedicated sunscreens, rather than relying on the SPF of my foundation or moisturiser. With summer approaching (it’s meant to have arrived… but the weather in the UK this week says otherwise!) today I thought I would share two of my current favourites with you all.
It can be hard to find non-greasy textures that remain moisturising while still being easily absorbed into the skin, but these both have beautiful textures that do just that. If you’re looking to try a new facial sunscreen I would thoroughly recommend trying one of them.

Firstly to clear up a few things when it comes to labelling of sun protection products… We all know that the higher the SPF value you have, the longer you are protected from the sun, but this number only relates to UVB rays (which cause sun burn and skin cancer). The UVA rating can be confusing as there are a few different systems for measuring the level of protection. In the UK, some of our products measure it in stars (1 star being the lowest, 5 stars the highest) but it can also be indicated by the wording ‘Broad Spectrum’ although that doesn’t give you much of an indication on the level of protection you are being offered. To confuse things a little more, both of the below products actually use the Asian UVA system of ‘PA’: PA+ being the lowest level of protection and PA++++ the highest (although some say PA+++ is the highest, one of these products actually has PA++++ - can’t be a bad thing but it sure is confusing!)
Protection factors aside, both of the below have incredibly high protection so have you covered on all bases. First up is the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defence with SPF 50 PA+++. This feels just like a moisturiser on the skin. Rich and moisturising, yet formulated without oil, it isn’t too greasy so makes a great base for makeup too (although I would wait a few minutes between applying this and your base to make sure it’s fully absorbed). It’s not the most affordable, at £35, but it’s well worth it in my opinion and you get 60ml so it’ll last you a decent amount of time. This is a brilliant all-rounder and I use this day to day, and on holiday. This would be brilliant for drier skins. (Available here, or at Kiehl's counters)
The high street alternative to this (it’s very similar in performance and longevity) is The Body Shop’s Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF 50 PA++++. This comes in a little lighter on the wallet, at £16 for 100 ml, which still seems quite expensive for a high street alternative, but I am of the opinion that you should never scrimp when it comes to sun cream as it usually means a compromise in your level of protection. The texture is slightly thinner (as the name 'essence' would suggest) but it feels amazing on the skin. It's instantly absorbed, making it hard to believe it's a suncream at all, especially one with such high protection as they are normally a little slower to absorb and heavier in texture. It leaves your skin feeling incredibly smooth and has a nice, almost matte finish, but doesn't feel drying or chalky whatsoever. Again, this one makes a lovely base for makeup too and I think it would be a great choice for most skin types, but especially so for those on the normal to greasy spectrum. (available here or in The Body Shop stores)

Having tried and tested a long line of facial sunscreens, these are my current favourites - what’s yours?
Share:

53 comments

  1. It looks lovely. I did not know that Kiehl´s has also sun protection products

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am going to try the body shops one, I have tried the Kheils and I have never been burnt

      Delete
  2. These look really nice. I need to get a good sun screen, I burn really fast, like I can't get to close to candles.
    A New Old Fashioned Girl

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've just started to use the Simple moisturiser (£4.99) which has SPF 30 in it and mix it with a tiny bit of my foundation every morning to act like a tinted moisturiser. It is so important for me to protect my skin and so far this product is working great for an affordable product.

    Rebecca Claire - RebeccaClaireBlog

    ReplyDelete
  4. Would love to try the Kiehl's one soon. Sunscreen with a little bit of SR Juno oil is a must for me in my morning skin care routine.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 16£ for 100ml? I think you mean 40ml???

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wish I had seen this body shop suncream before I went on holiday. I hate any suncream thats greasy on the skin, its vile x

    www.beautylifebecca.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sound fab!! Suncare is soooo important for me because of how pale my skin is! Love this! x

    https://dreamingoffithavenue.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is difficult to find non-greasy facial sunblock. Thanks for sharing!

    La Luna Vita

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the ISDIN SPF, but it isn't easily available. The Eucerin Mattifying Fluid is great as well.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

    ReplyDelete
  10. These look gorgeous! Thank you for sharing Fleur :)
    Ambar | Her Little Loves

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the new TBS spf! It feels so lightweight - more like a treatment than a sun protection product. Can't see myself needing to look for anything else for a while!
    Philippa x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Bioderma do a great spf 50 for face and body - really good for sensitive skin and milky in texture ��

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just got back from the store where I grabbed La Roche Posay's SPF 50 serum. I'm very interested to see the results! The Kiehls one you showed here though is fabulous!
    xoxo Mollie
    www.molliebellezza.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love Kiehls products and their sunscreen sounds like exactly what I need! x

    http://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  15. I tried Kiehl's facial cleanser and loved the way it smells, so I imagine this is really nice as well. Especially since it leaves your skin feeling dry.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love Kiehl's products! i have to try the sunscreen!

    www.octoberloveinnyc.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh I need to try The Body shop one, unfortunately Kiel's is a chemical SPF the last I checked. I hope the Body Shop one is available in the states.
    xoxo
    Serein
    http://sereinwu.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Fleur, your claim "We all know that the higher the SPF value you have, the longer you are protected from the sun" is incorrect. The SPF value does not indicate how long you are protected, but how much you are protected. No matter what SPF, you have to reapply every 3 hours to stay protected according to the SPF indicated on the product. Someone could think they can stay in the sun all day with SPF 50. That is not the case. Kind regards S

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed. Was going to comment about this too. Regardless of PA & SPF value you have to reapply every just as frequently.

      Delete
  19. Dear Fleur, have you tested the Dutch brand Rituals and their new summer range of sun protection products for face and body? I personally really like the SPF 30 facial sunscreen specially because of its pleasant scent and fast absorbing feature. Would be interested to hear how you feel about the product since I have more greasy-mixed complexion. Rituals online shop:https://eu.rituals.com/nl-nl/home Kind regards from the Netherlands, Anna

    ReplyDelete
  20. These are both such trusted brands! I definitely need to check them both out. x

    nueyork.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love posts like this!
    Morgan | www.justmorgs.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. A higher spf doesn't protect you for longer, as often believed; rather it blocks a higher proportion of the sun's rays. So both 15 and 50 spf should be reapplied at least every 4 hours, but the 15 spf will let in a higher proportion of uv rays :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I need to try The Body Shop one


    Lauren x | www.laurenapowers.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great post this project sounds amazing!

    http://www.Fatima8450.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I use Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen which I find light and easily absorbed. Having said that I've been reading that the amount of sunscreen we apply and the frequency of application is often not enough and affects the SPF. I wonder if you've come across this as products don't seem to have any recommendations?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Extremely helpful info particularly the ultimate part. I maintain such info a lot. I used to be seeking this particular information for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck.

    http://www.beautyproductblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
  28. I haven't tried these two, but quite like La Roche-Posay Gel-Cream at the mo. I have combination skin so it really suits me! Xx

    ♥ Carly Susanne - A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

    ReplyDelete
  29. As someone with fair skin, wearing sunscreen is a must! I need to try The Body Shop's sunscreen!

    Brittany | thechicette.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Well, I am very worried that the TBC sunscreen has ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE very high on the list of ingredients - and this is the penetrating spf, which is totally not good !!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sun protection is the best thing you can do for your skin:

    http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/2016/05/in-the-sun/

    ReplyDelete
  32. Definitely going to be trying the body shop one! Last summer I was all about the Clarins Multi-Protection Day Screen, but I bought a SkinCeuticals one this year which is factor 30 and for the price I've been really disappointed! I end up looking like a relative of Caspar!

    www.candidly-charlotte.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  33. The alcohol content in the Bodyshop sunscreen is very very high. It makes your eyes water. Fleur, I am surprised you did not mention that. For everyone else, my advice is to try it in store before you buy.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Loved this, I'm picking The Body Shop one up right away!!

    www.camillarumph.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. nice post, thanks for sharing.
    follow Blog: Jual Kondom

    ReplyDelete
  36. Have you tried the La Roche Posay Anthelios? I just bought it (on offer at Boots just now) and so far I really like it, on top of a bit of face oil.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Have you tried the La Roche Posay Anthelios? I just bought it (on offer at Boots just now) and so far I really like it, on top of a bit of face oil.

    ReplyDelete
  38. The body one shop sounds great... if it absorbs instantly then I'm sure I'll love it!
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.com/

    ReplyDelete
  39. I've been looking for a new facial sunscreen and apparently a lot of them contain UV filters that aren't photo stable, which means they become less effective in the sun. This includes a lot of high end sunscreens too. There's a list of photo stable filters but I'm starting to feel like I need a chemistry degree to pick out a face cream!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I so need to try the body shop sun screen. :)
    Makeup and Beauty Forever

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love The Body Shop products but I really want to try the Kiehls sunscreen when I am done with my Bioderma one. Also a great sunscreen for everyday wear.

    www.lovelylolaashley.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  43. I heard this ingerdients in cosmethicks with SPF should be avoid :
    That ingredients are:
    - Etylhexyl Methoxycinnamate/Octylmethoxycinnamate (it is in lot of cosmethics)
    - Benzophenone-3
    - 4- Methylbenzylidene Camphor
    - Octyl Dimethyl PABA
    I heard they can have bad influence on health, on hormones, on mothers milk, and they should be put off at least 3 months before pregnancy. Do you heard about that? What you think?

    ReplyDelete
  44. Definitely going to try these out when I'm in Spain in August. I personally love the Dermaceutic Sun Ceutic age defense sun protection. It's matte and sinks into the skin relatively quick. I absolutely love your blog and youtube channel!

    Much love Ines

    ReplyDelete
  45. I do find skin protection confusing so it's great to read an informative article like yours!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm really pale. I haven't tried any of the ones you've suggested so will keep an eye out for them :) What I've been using on my face which seems to have worked really well for me ( ie. My face never seems to burn when others I'm travelling with are getting burned even though I'm so much paler than them) is Aveeno positively radiant daily moisturiser with an inbuilt SPF :)

    www.thesundaymode.com

    ReplyDelete

© Fleur De Force | All rights reserved.
Blog Layout Created by pipdig