PROTECTING your face from the sun is one of the most effective moves you can make to prevent signs of ageing.
SPF creams are not just for holidays and should be used daily to keep wrinkles, dark spots and pigmentation at bay, and protect your skin from more serious damage.
The good news is there's now a whole host of face SPFs out there that won't bring you up in spots or leave your skin feeling greasy. In fact, most of the good ones are now lightweight and formulated to work with your makeup and skincare.
We've rounded up the best facial sunscreens that you'll want to wear whatever the weather.
Should I be wearing sun cream every day?
We put this question to Consultant Dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips, who said: "Using SPF is something many of us do not do every day. It's only thought of when going on holiday as the sun will be hotter and our skin is more likely to experience damage."
"However few know that UV rays affect our skin every day, even on rainy and cloudy days. Through a window at home or our car windscreen, these harmful rays are damaging our skin.
"UVA is present all year round. It penetrates the lower layers of our skin through to the dermis, mutating cells as they are being formed. UVA has now been seen to be a trigger and cause of skin cancer.
"UVB is present during the warmer months of the year and is responsible for sunburn and most skin cancer cases. Unlike UVA, it does not penetrate clouds or window glass."
What should I look for when buying sunscreen?
According to Dr Phillips: "using SPF every day is a must, however, it is important that you wear one containing broad-spectrum sun protection, as this protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
"As well as decreasing the risk of sunburn and premature ageing, wearing an SPF decreases your risk of developing skin cancer and massively reduces your melanoma risk and any damage to your body including pigmentation and sunspots.
"SPFs are packed with an assortment of antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to soften and care for the skin as it protects. So, whilst your SPF is working hard to protect against UVA and UVB rays, the antioxidants inside are also helping to defend against the free radicals and environmental aggressors that we are all exposed to daily."
We tested: Avène Intense Protect SPF50+ Sun Cream for Very Sensitive Skin
- Avène Intense Protect SPF50+ Sun Cream for Very Sensitive Skin 150ml, £18 from LookFantastic – buy here
Popular go-to for reliable skincare, Avène's suncream range has something for everyone.
The Intense Protect SPF50+ is made for extremely sensitive skin, packed with antioxidants with a formula that moisturises your skin without leaving it oily.
First impressions? It's definitely thick. I'd say this is one for hot summer holidays and rare British heatwaves.
From the big bottle, to the full texture, this is a full body gem rather than just a facial sunscreen.
When I used it on my face, I preferred to wear no make-up as it's heavier than some others. Just remember, a small amount goes a really long way.
The fact it's fragrance-free also makes it one you'll never get tired of – that, and the fact it provides long-lasting protection makes it a solid choice.
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