Best Face Sun Creams, Sunscreens and SPFs 2025, Tested and Reviewed by Sephora UK

Thankfully, sunscreens have levelled up from the heavy, white cast formulas of the past and become makeup, primers and skincare all in one. But with over 190 posts on TikTok for the hashtag #bestsunscreenforface, it can be hard to know which brands live up to the heat - literally. Don’t worry, Sephora HQ is here to help. Our Sephora Staff have tried the internet’s favourite SPFs - so you don’t have to - and ranked our best face sun creams for skin protection, ingredients, finish and feel. You focus on bringing the glowing energy this summer, and we’ll pack the high protection suncare to match. 

Best face sun creams, sunscreens and SPFs at a glance - our top picks:

Best for on-the-go protection: Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF50+, £32

Best for sun protection that feels like skincare: BEAUTY OF JOSEON Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+, £13.60

Best for makeup hybrid: Merit Beauty The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, £34 

Best for doubling as your makeup primer: ALLIES OF SKIN THE ONE SPF50 Invisible Sunscreen Gel, £43

Best for matte finish: PURITO SEOUL Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen, £13.60

By Sephora UK Skincare Editorial Team

Writers and experts

Updated: 25 July 2025

Q: Which sunscreen is best for your face?

A: Long gone are the days of slathering body suncream on your face - and the breakouts that go with it. Enter the new generation facial SPFs that fuse skincare with the ultimate sun protection. Stepping away from pore-clogging body formulas, the best sunscreen for everyday use will be packed with skincare ingredients like Niacinamide and Glycerin alongside their usual sun-protective elements. 

Q: Which brand of sunscreen is the most effective for the face?

A: The most effective facial sunscreen is one with a high level of protection (SPF 30 or higher) and that you’ll actually want to wear. Think: lightweight, non-greasy formulas. Brands like ULTRA VIOLETTE, Allies of Skin, and PURITO are crushing it with skincare-packed SPFs that protect without any white cast or heavy feel. 

Q: What is the best facial sunscreen for older skin?

A: For older skin, go for sunscreens that do more than block rays… they should hydrate, boost Collagen and be loaded with youth-boosting ingredients like Antioxidants and Peptides. Look for ones that combine SPF with skin-repairing goodness.

Q: What facial sunscreen do dermatologists recommend?

A: Derms usually recommend broad-spectrum, mineral-based sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher - preferably SPF 50. Go for formulas that are gentle, suitable for sensitive skin and non-comedogenic as these will protect but also soothe and not clog your pores.

Q: What strength of sunscreen is best for the face?

A: When it comes to your face, the higher the SPF, the better. Always aim for SPF 30 at a bare minimum, but SPF 50+ is where you really flex your sun defense. It blocks more UV rays and keeps your skin protected against damage.