Best Face Sunscreen Creams of 2025
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Face sunscreen creams are essential for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays that can cause long-term damage such as premature ageing, sunburn, and even skin cancer. These creams come in various forms, including lotions, gels, and sprays, and are designed to be applied directly to the face. They are typically formulated with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ratings that provide varying levels of protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It is recommended to use a face sunscreen cream with at least SPF 30 for daily use and higher for extended periods of sun exposure.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Face Sunscreen Creams
Cetaphil Daily Defence SPF 50 Face Cream
The Cetaphil SPF 50 Cream offers advanced sun protection with its new Micronized Zinc Oxide technology, ensuring you are shielded from harmful UV rays. With broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection, it helps guard against sunburn and long-term skin damage. This cream is also gentle on sensitive skin, making it an ideal choice for those who require a soothing formula. Additionally, its water-resistant feature allows you to enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about reapplication for up to 120 minutes.
NIVEA Sun UV Face Sensitive SPF 50 Cream
NIVEA Sun Sensitive Cream offers exceptional protection for delicate facial skin with its SPF 50 formula. It guards against harmful UVA/UVB rays, helping to prevent premature skin ageing. The lightweight and non-greasy texture ensures it won't clog your pores, making it ideal for daily use. Additionally, this cream is ophthalmologically approved, ensuring it is gentle on the eyes while providing reliable sun protection. You can confidently apply it before sun exposure and easily reapply it during the day.
Malibu Sun SPF 50 Face Cream and Lip Balm
The Malibu Sun Duo offers high protection with SPF 50 face cream and SPF 30 lip balm, shielding you from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Its clinically proven formula is kind to your skin, ensuring you can enjoy the sun without worry. The water-resistant feature allows the sun care to last longer, whether you're at the beach or in the pool. With an easy squeeze bottle, applying the product becomes hassle-free, helping you reach those tricky areas with ease.
Piz Buin Allergy Face Cream SPF50+ for Sensitive Skin
The Piz Buin Allergy Face Cream offers exceptional protection for sun-sensitive skin. Developed with dermatologists, this cream ensures hours of moisturisation, keeping your delicate facial skin soft and hydrated. It features Calmanelle, a unique anti-irritant shield complex that helps enhance your skin's resilience to the sun, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Additionally, with powerful antioxidants like Feverfew PFE, it boosts your skin cells' tolerance to sun exposure, providing you with peace of mind while enjoying the outdoors.
E45 SPF50+ Sensitive Sun Cream with Hyaluronic Acid
The E45 Sensitive Sun Cream offers excellent protection for your face, particularly if you have dry or eczema-prone skin. With SPF 50+ and a lightweight, non-greasy formula, it absorbs quickly while providing intense hydration. The addition of Hyaluronic Acid ensures your skin stays moisturised throughout the day. Notably, this cream protects against harmful UV damage, making it perfect for sunny days or holiday adventures. Its water-resistant properties ensure lasting coverage, giving you peace of mind while enjoying the outdoors.
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Serum Moisturiser
The Garnier SPF 50+ Serum offers very high protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays, making it ideal for daily use on your sensitive facial skin. Its formula is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Ceramides, providing instant protection for your skin barrier. The lightweight and invisible fluid texture ensures comfortable wear throughout the day, seamlessly blending with all skin tones. Additionally, this vegan formula is crafted without animal-derived ingredients and comes in a bottle made of 40% recycled glass, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.
Altruist Anti Redness SPF50 Tinted Cream
The Altruist Tinted Face Cream is a clinically proven moisturiser that helps reduce redness and even out skin pigmentation. With its special pigments, it provides an instant concealing effect, making your skin appear more even-toned. The cream contains a unique phytocomplex that calms sensitive red skin and promotes healing over eight weeks. Additionally, it offers broad spectrum protection with SPF50, shielding you from harmful UV rays and blue light, which is essential for preventing further irritation.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Sun Defense Cream
The Elizabeth Arden Sun Defense Cream is designed to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which can lead to sunburn and premature ageing. This cream hydrates your skin for up to eight hours, ensuring that you remain moisturised throughout the day. Its lightweight, oil-free formula makes it suitable for all skin types, providing a non-greasy feel. Additionally, it is PABA-free, making it a safe choice for sensitive skin. With this cream, you can enjoy the sun while keeping your skin healthy and protected.
Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Age Face Cream SPF50
The Garnier Anti-Age Face Cream offers advanced protection with an SPF50, making it suitable for all skin tones. This cream visibly reduces wrinkles by up to 22%, giving you a more youthful appearance. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, ensuring your skin stays hydrated, smooth, and firmer. Additionally, the product is dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic, providing peace of mind for sensitive skin users. Enjoy the benefits of high protection and anti-ageing in one convenient product.
Calypso SPF30 Facial Sun Protection Cream
The Calypso Facial Sun Cream offers excellent protection against both UVA and UVB rays, ensuring your skin stays safe from harmful sun exposure. Its anti-ageing properties help maintain a youthful appearance, combating the signs of ageing effectively. This cream is suitable for sensitive skin, making it a great choice for those who often experience irritation. Additionally, its non-greasy formula allows for easy application under makeup, providing convenience without compromising on protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of sunscreen is best for face daily?
How we chose the best face sunscreens. Best Overall: EltaMd UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46.Best Value: Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 55.Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30.Best Allergy Tested: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50.
2. Can we apply sunscreen cream on face?
Wearing sunscreen with makeup is recommended because most makeup products—yes, even those that advertise SPF— do not contain a high enough level of SPF to provide sufficient protection. Our paraben-free sunscreens provide invisible yet strong protection, so you can wear them over your makeup or on a bare face.
3. Is there a difference between sunscreen and face sunscreen?
Depending on the sensitivity of an individual's skin, body sunscreen that is scented may be a problem for the face. Facial sunscreen is specifically designed for the face. Because the face can breakout or develop acne, facial sunscreen is not nearly as oily as body sunscreen.
During our face sunscreen cream research, we found 215 face sunscreen cream products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 186,845 customer reviews through our big data system to write the face sunscreen creams list. We found that most customers choose face sunscreen creams with an average price of £7.01.
The face sunscreen creams are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of face sunscreen creams, including Cetaphil, Nivea Sun, Malibu, Piz Buin, E45.
Charlotte Powell is a dermatologist and a licensed cosmetologist from Westminster, London. However, she was first a cosmetologist from London Beauty Training School. According to Charlotte, she needed better insight into the human skin, hence the dermatology degree. Long before she acquired her degree, she wrote and edited articles, eBooks, and editorials for companies and websites. Charlotte combines her skill and knowledge in providing DIY Beauty tips amongst other fashion related topics.