In beauty, most rules are made to be broken. You can skip your hair wash day, wear lipstick as blush, or go foundation-free and still feel pulled together. But if there’s one rule you just can’t bend, is wearing SPF. Face sunscreens protect against premature ageing, sun damage, and the kind of fine lines that no serum can undo.
Dermatologists agree — up to 90% of visible skin ageing is caused by the sun.So while trends come and go (think slugging, skin cycling, or Hailey Bieber’s glazed doughnut aesthetic), daily sunscreen is the one essential that can’t slip off the beauty agenda. Yet finding a face sunscreen that:
- layers seamlessly under makeup
- leaves zero white cast
- doesn’t smell like a beach holiday
- stays put through sweat and movement
…is harder than it should be. And if you’re someone who runs or works out outside, you know the struggle: ghostly streaks, white trails melting down your cheeks, sunscreen that stings the eyes the moment you break a sweat.
So, to spare you the trial and error, the RESET team tested the latest face sunscreens from top brands. After plenty of wear, sweat, and reapplication, we’ve found six standouts that won’t disappoint you.
How we tested the face sunscreens
We didn’t just swipe these on our hands and call it a day. Each face sunscreen was tested for a few days in real-life conditions. We wore them under makeup to see how they layered, through morning commutes across a muggy London (yes, the Central line at rush hour made an excellent pressure cooker), and out on runs where sweat and movement put every formula to the test.
We looked for face sunscreens that felt breathable, didn’t pill or slide under foundation, stayed put during workouts, and left zero white cast — even after a full hour in the sun. Texture, scent, finish, and how they held up over time were all part of the mix. So, without further ado, below are the six face sunscreens that came out on top.
1. Bondi Sands Sunny Cream SPF 50+ Face Lotion (50 ml, £14.99)
Best for: Hydration and daily wear
Texture: Light, runny
Finish: Dewy
Fragrance: A light, clean scent (though no added fragrances)
This sunscreen goes on like a light moisturiser and disappears within seconds. We used it on both bare skin and under makeup; in both cases, it stayed put without pilling or smudging base products. It didn’t feel occlusive, and there was no stickiness hours later.
If you’ve got sensitive or breakout-prone skin, this is a strong contender: it’s oil-free, non-comedogenic, and didn’t leave us with any surprise spots after a week of daily wear.
Makeup sits well on top, too — no pilling, no weird slippage halfway through the day. There is a slight tackiness immediately after application, but that settles quickly, and it honestly helps foundation grip better. It’s not water-resistant, so you’ll need a different option for pool days, but for desk-to-dog-walk SPF, it holds up beautifully.
2. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30 (50ml, £36.50)
Best for: Makeup primers and oily skin
Texture: Gel-silicone hybrid
Finish: Velvety and matte
Fragrance: None
The Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen is a cult favourite for a reason. It’s completely clear, velvety, and feels like a luxe primer. In fact, we found that it doubles as a brilliant makeup base- it blurred the appearance of pores and helped foundation stay put throughout the day.
Its gel–silicone formula dries down to a matte finish that reduces oiliness without ever making your skin feel tight or drying. For anyone with oily or combination skin, it’s an easy everyday go-to — especially in warmer months when shine tends to take over.
The only downside is that it is SPF 30 so if you are set on the number 50, this one isn’t for you. However, here’s a fun little fact: SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, whereas SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays – the difference between the two is actually just 1%.
3. SPF50 CabanaCrème™ Hydrating Moisturizer (50ml, £21)
Best for: Dry skin and a one-step summer routine
Texture: Creamy lotion
Finish: Dewy glow
Fragrance: Fragrance-free
This one quickly became our morning shortcut. Moisturiser, primer, and SPF all in one? Yes please — especially in the summer heat, when the last thing we feel like doing is piling on products.
The texture is creamy and nourishing, but it doesn’t sit heavily or leave skin feeling coated. We wore it both on bare-skin days and under foundation (no extra primer), and makeup applied just fine. There was no pilling or patchiness.
Despite the rich feel, it didn’t make our skin feel greasy. Instead, it leaves a soft, dewy glow that feels fresh and healthy. Honestly, we can’t not love a multitasking product, and this one’s staying in our rotation. Shall we talk about the gorgeous packing, too?
4. Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF50+ Superlight Skinscreen™ (50ml, £38)
Best for: Mineral SPF fans
Texture: Fluid
Finish: Natural satin
Fragrance: None
Mineral sunscreens often get a bad rap for feeling thick, leaving a white cast, or drying out the skin. But after testing Ultra Violette’s Future Fluid Skinscreen, we can confidently say this one is a game changer. It has a lightweight formula that blends in effortlessly, sinking into the skin without clinging to dry patches.
What really stands out is the finish — it leaves a gorgeous, natural satin glow that gives skin a healthy, radiant look. It’s not completely transparent, but it melts into the skin beautifully. Because it absorbs rapidly, it’s suitable for all skin types, even those prone to dryness.
While we wrote it on our day-to-day, we’re definitely saving the rest of the bottle for a beach holiday (it feels that luxurious). If you’ve been turned off by mineral sunscreens in the past, this one might just win you back.
5. Klairs All-Day Airy Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ (50g, £20)
Best for: Sensitive skin and layering
Texture: Creamy lotion
Finish: Soft and semi-matte
Fragrance: Fragrance-free
K-beauty fans, this one’s for you. Klairs All-Day Airy Sunscreen has that creamy lotion texture that’s easy to blend, and it sinks into the skin without leaving behind any annoying white cast. Instead, it leaves a soft, semi-matte finish that looks natural and feels comfortable.
What makes this one especially great for sensitive skin is that it’s completely fragrance-free, so you won’t have to worry about any irritation or eye-stinging moments (we’ve all been there, right?). Whether you’re layering it under makeup or wearing it solo, it blends beautifully and doesn’t interfere with your skincare routine.
6. Frezyderm Sunscreen Velvet Face SPF 50 (50ml, £29.50)
Best for: Matte finish and oily skin
Texture: Velvety cream
Finish: Matte
Fragrance: Very mild
The Frezyderm Sunscreen Velvet Face SPF 50 does exactly what it says on the tin — it provides high protection with a smooth, matte finish. The formula is velvety, and while it feels lightweight on the skin, it does a great job of absorbing any excess oil.
We tested it over several days, and it held up well throughout long workdays and outdoor activities. It’s one of those sunscreens that doesn’t slide off or leave you looking shiny halfway through the day. It also blends in well without leaving any sticky residue, and the mild fragrance is subtle enough not to bother anyone with sensitivities.
The real highlight for us is how it keeps that matte, fresh feel without drying out the skin. For those who prefer a sunscreen that can double as a base layer before makeup, this one is worth considering.
Finding your Summer 2025 SPF
If finding the right SPF has ever felt like dating – too many letdowns, stinging regrets, and the occasional ghosting (literally)- you’re not alone. Whether you’re running miles or running errands, there are face sunscreens out there that will have your back—without leaving white smudges, salty streaks, or tears. Whichever SPF you choose, just make sure you don’t skip this step. See also our Spring clean beauty checklist for more Spring beauty tips.