When most people think about sunscreen, they picture beach days, summer holidays, or a long afternoon in the park. But the truth is, your skin faces the sun every single day, even when you’re indoors near a window or stepping outside for a quick walk. To make it easier, here are seven simple yet practical tips that help you choose a face sunscreen you’ll actually enjoy using every day.
1. Choose Broad-Spectrum Protection for Full Coverage
The single most crucial thing you’re looking for on the label is “broad spectrum”, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Your skin is not always immediately burned, but they do bring in wrinkles and other signs of ageing. When your face sunscreen may only block one category, your skin remains wide open. So, when you choose a face sunscreen, you are protecting against both sunburn and damage.
2. Pick the SPF Level That Suits Your Lifestyle
SPF is short for Sun Protection Factor, and it’s a measure of how well the face sunscreen shields against UVB rays. For the average day, SPF 30 filters out about 97% of UVB, which is more than adequate for daily activities. If you are regularly outdoors or if you have fair skin that burns easily, then SPF 50 is a bet. Just be aware that a higher SPF doesn’t mean you can put it on once and forget about it for the day.
3. Match the Formula to Your Skin Type
Always remember that face sunscreen can be found in lightweight gels, milky fluids, thick creams and more. You’ll also want your lotion to be compatible with your skin type so it feels good and absorbs well. If you have oily or combination skin, opt for a gel or matte-finish formula, which will help keep shine at bay. Sensitive skin does well with mineral sunscreens that use zinc oxide, which sit on top of the surface.
4. Make Sure It Feels Comfortable for Daily Wear
Some face sunscreens can sit like a thick layer of grime on your skin or be sticky, or have an unflattering white cast that looks terrible on your face. The good news is that newer formulations are way more user-friendly. If you like to wear makeup, you need one that layers nicely without ruining your foundation. The less cumbersome it feels to wear, the more likely you are to actually do so.
5. Look for Extra Skincare Benefits
Most face sunscreens contain skincare ingredients that can help enhance your skin while you have them on. For instance, vitamin C shields your skin from free radicals that can be generated by sun exposure. Picking a sunscreen with those sorts of extras can give you that little bit more from the same product. It’s the equivalent of doing your skin care in one step, lightening your load and simplifying your routine.
6. Pick a Formula That’s Easy to Reapply
Given that your face is uncovered most of the day, you will need to update it every couple of hours. The struggle is reapplying without ruining your makeup or feeling like you’re adding on something heavy. Here’s where formats can be useful; powders, sprays and light gels are easy and less messy when it comes time to reapply. If it’s easy, you’ll do that for sure, and the result is baby-soft skin all day long.
7. Go with a Brand You Can Rely On
Face sunscreens are formulated to strike a balance between protection and wearability, meaning they’re often a better choice for daily application than body formulas. When you do find a brand that works for you, it relieves the pressure of guessing. Furthermore, you can rest assured you are getting something that’s dependable, mild enough for daily use and powerful enough to shield against UV rays.
Sunscreen Is a Daily Habit Worth Keeping
Picking the right face sunscreen for your face is about protecting your skin for many years to come. That’s why, by looking for broad-spectrum protection, choosing the right SPF, opting for a formula that suits your skin type and ensuring it feels good, you’re bound to find a sunscreen you actually like to use. So, get in on that today, see which one works for you and incorporate it into your daily routine.