20 Of The Best SPFs For Face In 2025, Tested By British Vogue Editors
What’s the difference between a chemical and mineral SPF?
Chemical and mineral SPFs defend the skin in distinct ways. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays, converting them into heat, and then dispersing it from the skin. Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, form a physical barrier on the surface, reflecting UV rays away like tiny mirrors.
Both are highly effective, says consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite: “Mineral formulas use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, while chemical sunscreens rely on filters such as oxybenzone, avobenzone and octinoxate.” Many modern SPFs now combine both types for broader protection.
Historically, mineral sunscreens have had a reputation for leaving a chalky, greasy residue. But thanks to advances in formulation — like nanosized mineral particles —they’re now far more wearable, with elegant textures that blend seamlessly into the skin.
What’s the most common SPF myth?
One of the most common myths about SPF is that when it’s cloudy or when indoors, you don’t need to wear sunscreen. “I encourage my patients to wear their sunscreen every day, regardless of how bright and sunny it appears outside,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Hiva Fassihi. “It is important to remember that UVA, the main cause of skin ageing, is present all year round, even on dull days. With the broad range of textures and formulations now available, it has never been easier to incorporate a sunscreen into your daily skincare routine.
“I am always surprised when patients come to see me about skin ageing, and they have bought many over-the-counter creams, often at great expense, but they are not using a sunscreen as part of their daily routine. Sunscreens are so important for skin health and are the ‘best anti-ageing’ product you’ll use.”
Does everyone need to wear an SPF?
Absolutely. “Sun damage doesn’t discriminate — every skin type is vulnerable,” explains Dr Granite. “It can manifest in many forms, from pigmentation like freckles and sun spots to dryness, rough texture and loss of elasticity, which may appear as enlarged pores or sagging. Fine lines and wrinkles are also common signs. In its most severe form, sun damage can lead to skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.”
You can’t always see the damage that’s occurred on the skin, either. “UV exposure causes damage to skin cell DNA and accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres within the skin. You can improve the signs of visible ageing and treat precancerous and cancerous skin lesions that arise from this DNA damage with treatments such as topical retinoids and photodynamic therapy. But it is unlikely that all of the deep cellular damage associated with long-term sun exposure can be entirely reversed. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” says Dr Granite.
Is SPF50 better than 30?
The age-old question: SPF 30 or 50? “I am profoundly for SPF50. UV light is a known entity that doesn’t just cause premature ageing but cancer too, and they are both proven without a shadow of a doubt. Both of those things are highly preventable,” dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting says. Not only does SPF50 offer 95 per cent protection from UV as opposed to SPF30’s 93 per cent (a two per cent difference which, over time, stacks up), but Dr Bunting also points out that none of us are perfect and often under-apply our SPF. “I’d much rather people were under-applying an SPF50 than a 30.”
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Can you still get sun damage on your face even if you’re wearing SPF?
“Yes, it’s possible to experience sun damage even when wearing SPF,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Magnus Lynch. “Most SPFs will not block visible light, which can cause pigmentation, and none will completely prevent UV radiation from affecting the skin. Other factors include inadequate application, missing spots, or not reapplying sunscreen after sweating or swimming.”
What is the healthiest SPF for your face?
To protect skin against both UVA and UVB light – both of which cause damage to the skin – broad-spectrum SPF is a must. “What’s really crucial when we’re talking about a good skincare routine is blocking the daily UVA rays which are present all year round,” explains Dr Bunting. “They can come through glass and actually form the bulk (95 per cent) of UV light that reaches the earth.”
While UVB is the UV light responsible for the (more visible) burn – and tends to be the one we focus on more because the damage is seen quickly – it’s really important to ensure your SPF protects against UVA too. UVA damage leads to fine lines, pigmentation, uneven skin texture, big pores, coarsening of the skin and loss of collagen – all the bad stuff. “Beach holidays aren’t so much the problem. It’s the everyday, half an hour out walking at lunchtime that builds up over the years.” A broad-spectrum SPF offers a significant level of protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and should be worn by all skin tones.
Another factor to consider in your sunscreen selection is its effect on the environment. While the science around exactly how damaging sunscreen is to our oceans is inconclusive, what ingredients should we be looking out for to make the best choice possible? We speak to marine biologist Professor Cinzia Corinaldesi from the Università Politecnica delle Marche and Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Skin55, for a five-step guide.
1. Avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate
The main chemicals to watch out for are oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are commonly used in sunscreen to absorb UV light. “We [have] demonstrated that oxybenzone, octinoxate and enzacamene caused complete coral bleaching even at very low concentrations,” says Professor Corinaldesi. Octocrylene is another chemical that’s potentially harmful to marine life, with the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory compiling a handy list of the ingredients we should try to avoid.
“Certain organic filters have been identified in water sources worldwide, and there seems to be a suggestion that they are not easily removed by common wastewater techniques,” adds Dr Mahto. “Many of the filters have also been found in various species of fish worldwide – the impact of this is uncertain on the food chain.”
2. Opt for a mineral sunscreen instead
Mineral sunscreens, which typically contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are thought to be less harmful to coral reefs in comparison to their chemical counterparts. “Mineral sunscreens rely on inorganic filters, which form a physical barrier on the skin surface,” explains Dr Mahto. It’s worth remembering, though, that some research suggests zinc oxide can also pose a danger to marine life. “Our studies indicate that zinc oxide nanoparticles are very harmful to marine organisms,” says Professor Corinaldesi, but adds that titanium dioxide with surface coatings – as found in Green People’s scent-free SPF 30 – “has a much lower impact on coral reefs”.
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3. Look for non-nanoparticles
Particle size matters, too. While nanoparticles can be absorbed by coral reefs, research suggests that larger non-nanoparticles (a label you’ll see on lotions) are better for the environment. “Consumers should look out for sunscreens that use non-nanoparticles because nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are expected to be more harmful to marine organisms than non-nanoparticles,” explains Professor Corinaldesi.
4. Read beyond the “reef-safe” or “ocean-safe” labels
The increase in demand for eco-friendly sunscreens means that a lot of brands are now marketing their products as “reef-safe” or “ocean-safe”. This usually means they don’t contain oxybenzone and octinoxate – the two chemicals banned in sunscreen by countries such as Hawaii – but they could still contain other chemicals on the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory list that are potentially harmful to the environment. “Consumers should check the ingredients on the label of the products,” Professor Corinaldesi comments.
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5. Don’t forget the packaging
Beyond the ingredients in sunscreen, it’s important to consider the packaging, with discarded sunscreen bottles contributing, in part, to the eight million tonnes of plastic that end up in our oceans every year. Brands such as Green People are using recyclable plant-based packaging made from sugar cane, a much more eco-friendly option compared to traditional plastic containers.