Tried & Tested: 15 Of The Best Face & Body Sun Safe Products
Experts say wearing SPF everyday is their top anti ageing tip. Here are 15 buys for the face and body to keep your skin looking its best...
I've been wearing sun protection on my face everyday for as long as I can remember - I used to wear a SPF under my foundation, but I have to admit that for the last few years I have preferred to wear a tinted BB of CC cream during the day instead. There is definitely no shortage of options, and I am excited to report that I have found some some brilliant new faves during this road test. From super lightweight to full coverage and one that goes on white and adjusts to your skin tone there is something for everyone.
There's also some fabulous options when it comes to the body too - forget the sticky, hard to absorb formulas of the past, my top picks are ones you will want to add to your beach bag.
I've kept my reviews informative but short and sweet and popped in as many links as possible so you can shop them directly from this page too!
Remember protect your skin from the sun now and reap the benefits later!
FOR THE FACE: Tinted Sun Protection Creams & Foundations
1. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+, $61
I have spoken of this wonder product before, and my love affair with this CC cream continues, not only because it has a high SPF rating, but also because it literally covers any redness, blemishes and unevenness while still making the skin look radiant. It offers a heavy coverage, but still allows the skin to breathe and does not crease or crack. A little also goes a long way, so you can make a tube last for a long time too. This is one of my daily go-tos especially for the days have meetings and work appointments. Needless to say, I have re-purchased this product over and over again. BUY IT
2. First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Triple Protection Skin Tint with Goji Berry SPF 30
If the It Cosmetics CC Cream is an old fave, this little bottle of goodness by First Aid Beauty is definitely a new fave. I like to wear this one daily, when I know I will be in and out of the car / house running errands. It's a weightless formulation best applied with fingertips, that can be built up for heavier coverage if desired. However, even a light application evens out skin tone and conceals imperfections while still appearing really natural. It's a great one if you have sensitive skin and thanks to the superfood-powered formula containing antioxidant-rich ingredients—including goji berry, astaxanthin, and vitamin C— it also works to protect skin from environmental aggressors, while the pure mineral zinc oxide helps filter out harmful UVA and UVB rays and helps protect skin from photo-acing. BUY IT
3. Dr Jart+ Dis-A-Pore SPF 30 BB Cream
I'd heard a lot about Dr Jart, but had never tried anything until this beauty balm was sent to me to try. This BB cream goes on white then adjusts to your skin tone, leaving a velvety finish. I loved this one - it really works to tighten and minimise the appearance of pores and as a result stops the skin from becoming oily. BUY IT
4. Beauty By Nicholas Foundation No More Serious AA Cream SPF 30
Another fab product that offers sun protection and anti-ageing benefits thanks to superpowerful petides and soothing botanicals. With a thicker formulation that gives foundation-like coverage, this AA cream also harnesses the power of Biolumix Skin Flex Technology – flexible light-diffusing pigments that adjust as you move to disguise imperfections and redness, leaving a natural, soft-focus look. It's a thicker formulation, so you don't need too much, and goes on best with a foundation brush. Long lasting and doesn't irritate sensitive skin. BUY IT
5. O Cosmedics Mineral Pro SPF 30+ Sheer
With broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection and inbuilt skincare benefits thanks to the addition of antioxidant resveratrol a skin conditioning peptide, this lightly tinted sunscreen gives the skin a beautiful natural sheen without leaving it feeling oily. It is also fragranced with vanilla, which you will be able to smell all day. Quite a good one for mature skin or slightly dry skin types as it feels quite moisturising too. BUY IT
6. Colorecience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50
Now this has to be one of the niftiest little finishing mineral powders I have come across, and the best bit is it has a super high SPF rating too. As the name suggests you literally brush this finishing powder over the face, either over the top of your makeup or alone after you moisturise your skin. It's also great to carry in your bag if you are on the go and need a touch-up - both sun protection and a little bit of coverage. BUY IT
7. Ella Bache Great SPF40 Suncover Foundation
This was actually one of the first products I road tested for this article and it still remains a fave - it's lightweight, includes anti-ageing ingredients and light diffusing properties which give the skin a gorgeous luminous glow while offering sun protection. I can also confidently say that it stays put during outdoor exercise. A great choice if you like to work out during the middle of the day but don't want to redo your makeup. BUY IT
8. Tarte Water Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 - Rainforest of the Sea™ Collection
This vegan foundation with a non-chemical SPF 15 is formulated with 20 percent water and antioxidant algae to reduce the look of fine lines. It glides onto the skin easily, leaving the skin looking smooth and glowy. Like a few others you can build up the coverage, but it more than adequately hides fine lines, breakouts, pores, dark circles. BUY IT
9. Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+ UVA - UVB
This is another excellent multitasking product - sunscreen, moisturiser and foundation in one. I loved the way this product made my skin feel soft and protected from the sun, yet appear glowy without making it shiny or greasy . This is also a great option if you like to workout outdoors or enjoy lots of park play dates (like me!). BUY IT
FOR THE FACE: Skincare with SPF & Un-tinted Sunscreen
10. Skinstitut Age Defence SPF 50+
A light cream that feels very hydrating, and has a high SPF rating, this is an excellent choice if you want an untainted sunscreen to wear underneath foundation. BUY IT
11. aspect Gold Envirostat SPF50
Non-greasy and moisturising (key ingredients include Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Tapioca starch) this sunscreen comes in a nifty packaging with a clasp that can hook onto your beach bag, making finding and reapplying easy if you're hanging out at the beach. It does not sweat off or leave white residue. BUY IT
12. OLAY Micro Sculpting UV Moisturiser SPF50
Skincare and suncare all in one, this cream feels really silky on the skin and with extended use helps to firm, hydrate and reduce fine lines and wrinkles while preventing premature ageing from sun exposure. It's also formulated with the most concentrated Amino-peptide Complex and Hydra-Firming Complex, which helps renew skin’s surface cells and keep skin looking youthful. Sits really well under foundation. BUY IT
13. The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturiser SPF 15
This lightweight moisturiser is perfect for everyday use, especially if you want to wear moisturiser with SPF as well as a tinted BB/CC cream or foundation.- i know this seems redundant, but my mother-in-law who has super fair skin likes to do this. It contains super antioxidant Amazonian camu camu berry and Community Fair Trade sesame oil to nourish skin and leave it looking radiant - perfect for going makeup-free. BUY IT
BODY
14. Reef Moisturising Sun Tan Oil
I can still remember as a girl at the beach watching all the women lather themselves in Reef sun tan oil, the distinctive smell hard to forget. Fast forward many years later, and the smell still transports you to somewhere tropical, but the once super oily formulation has undergone a bit of transformation and now sprays on in an easily absorbed gel that leaves skin feeling soft and moisturised. I love to wear this on my skin daily - especially since it smells so delicious! BUY IT
15. Invisible Zinc SPF50 Face + Body Sunscreen
Hitting the great outdoors for the day, this is the product to have on hand - the highest spf allowed in Australia, water and sweat-resistant and a formulation that glides onto skin with a silky finish. It's low Irritant, suitable for sensitive skin and children and contains no parabans. BUY IT
