6 everyday face sunscreens you’ll actually want to wear

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable in our everyday skin care routines. We all know this. But those greasy, whitening sunscreen formulas are no fun to apply, especially when they mess with our makeup application.

Since sunscreen is vital for protecting your skin from the harmful and ageing effects of the sun, but they can't do any good unless you actually wear them every day, it’s super important that you find the perfect one.           

All of these sunscreens have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and provide broad-spectrum coverage, meaning they’ll protect your skin from UVA rays (the ones that age your skin) and UVB rays (those that burn your skin). Meet the everyday face sunscreens you’ll actually enjoy wearing.

The best illuminating face sunscreen

OUR PICK: Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ Luminising Sun Serum

Forget your preconceived ideas of what a sunscreen looks and feels like, because this Australian beauty brand has completely changed the game. Ultra Violette’s hero sunscreen, the Queen Screen, isn’t greasy or heavy on the skin - it’s more like a serum that glides on and sinks in beautifully, all while hydrating your skin, improving it (thank you Kakadu plum!) and giving it protection from not just UVA and UVB rays, but pollution and infrared and blue light, too. The fine illuminating particles in the formula are the icing on this organic sunscreen cake, giving your complexion a gorgeous radiant glow. We particularly love this sunscreen for people of colour because it has no white cast. 

The best nourishing face sunscreen

OUR PICK: Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+ with Vitamin E

If you’re the type that likes their skincare products to work extra hard in your routine, then you’ll be a big fan of this Alpha-H sunscreen. As a sunscreen, it delivers broad-spectrum protection thanks to five UVA/UVB sun filters and has the highest sun protection factor possible in Australia, which is SPF50+. Not just content with being a one-trick pony, this three-in-one formula also moisturises skin with the help of provitamin B5 and acts as a primer to smooth the skin’s surface and enhance the staying power of your makeup. The lightweight, non-comedogenic and non-greasy formula is great for all skin types, too.

"Your go-anywhere, pocket sun protection."

THE KIND SUNSCREEN  

The best tinted face sunscreen

OUR PICK: Rationale Beautiful Skin Superfluid SPF50

For those hesitant sunscreen converts out there, the fact that this one is tinted, lightweight and leaves skin looking luminous will definitely win you over. All while doing the all-important job of protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, of course. The Superfluid contains organic and inorganic solar protective actives and has an SPF of 50 for top protection. The formula comes in three shades that adapt to your skin tone to give you a naturally perfected, radiant finish that you can leave as is or layer your foundation over the top if you want more coverage.

The best budget-friendly face sunscreen

OUR PICK: Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Facial Sunscreen Light/Medium

This sunscreen ticks a lot of boxes for just $24.95. Natural zinc oxide handles your broad-spectrum protection, an antioxidant blend of rosehip oil, green tea and cucumber take care of nourishing your skin throughout the day, and the sheer tint helps even out your skin tone and won’t leave you with a white cast. We also love that the formula is free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are harmful to our beloved reefs.

"Vital for protecting your skin from the harmful and ageing effects of the sun..."

 

The best mattifying face sunscreen

OUR PICK: Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 30 Mattifying

When you have oily or combination skin, the thought of applying a greasy sunscreen is enough to cause you to weigh up the pros of that all-important sun protection versus not looking like a shiny mess all day long. This mattifying sunscreen from Ultraceuticals will save you from having to choose. The formula is non-whitening and shine-free and it absorbs quickly, leaving behind a matte finish. Silica microspheres control excess sebum through the day while also softening the appearance of fine lines. As well as shielding your skin from UVA and UVB, this Australian sunscreen is enriched with antioxidants to further protect your skin from the premature signs of ageing. Plus, it has moisturising properties, too.

The best natural face sunscreen

OUR PICK: The Kind Sunscreen

When you’re using sunscreen every day (yes, every single day - even in winter and on those cloudy days), it’s nice to know what you’re applying on your skin and washing down the drain when you hop in the shower is safe for you and the environment. This TGA-approved natural sunscreen is just that. It’s made using sustainably sourced all-natural ingredients and essential oils and is safe for babies, pregnant and breastfeeding mums, and sensitive skin. It’s reef and ocean-friendly too. It can be applied on the face and body and unlike a lot of natural sunscreens, it doesn’t leave behind a white residue on skin. It also gets bonus points for being water and sweat resistant for up to four hours. Bring on summer!