As a beauty editor, I'm often asked by my female relatives if they should bother wearing SPF. My mum, who is now in her sixties, worshipped the sun during her twenties, thirties and forties, often while wearing a generous layer of baby oil—sometimes even cooking oil — to maximise her tan in the summer. *Shudders*.
Thankfully, we are now much more informed about the dangers of sun damage and skin cancer than back then, and wearing daily SPF is more commonplace now. Alongside the known dangers of the sun, UVA and UVB rays also play a huge part in skin changes such as pigmentation, fine lines, melasma and wrinkles. It's estimated that around 80-90% of skin ageing is attributed to sun exposure—yet another reason we should be applying SPF daily, even during winter and on cloudy days, and not just in the summer and on holiday.
Just recently, my grandma spotted the early signs of skin cancer on her nose—which was thankfully treatable and safely removed—and it became a wake-up call for all of the family to be a lot more careful in the sun. In short, it's never too late to start protecting your skin by wearing a good SPF.
So, what are the best SPFs for mature skin? I enlisted the help of Dr Hiva Fassihi from OneWelbeck Skin Health & Allergy, London, to share how to find the best SPF for your skin, as well as some dermatologist-approved recommendations.
Does mature skin need SPF?
In short, yes. Everyone can benefit from wearing SPF, regardless of your age. "Mature skin needs sunscreen for the same reasons that skin at all ages need sunscreen – to protect from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)," says Dr Fassihi.
"With increasing age, skin often becomes dry and sensitive secondary to chronic sun exposure. There is also more photodamage with redness, pigmentation, and wrinkles secondary to loss of collagen and elastin. Additionally, studies have shown that women lose about 30% of collagen in their skin during the first five years of menopause," she adds. "The use of daily sunscreen can help reduce and improve these signs of skin photoaging and also prevent the skin becoming even more red and sensitive over the years."
When should I wear SPF?
"I encourage my patients to wear their sunscreen every day, regardless of how bright and sunny it appears outside. It is important to remember that UVA, the main cause of skin aging, is present all year round, even on dull days," says Dr Fassihi.
"Sunscreen should be applied generously after cleansing in the mornings. Care should be taken to cover all exposed parts of the face and neck, including the delicate skin under the eyes. After waiting 15 minutes for the preparation to fully absorb into the skin, then makeup can be applied on top," she says.
Thankfully, there are plenty of formulas, textures and application alternatives to help you top up your SPF protection throughout the day. "The newer spray-on mists such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Anti-Shine Face Mist SPF 50 (£18), which can be applied over makeup, allow convenient topping-up during the day without disturbing your makeup," says Dr Fassihi.
What to look for when choosing an SPF for mature skin
"When choosing a sunscreen at any age, it is important to look for a high SPF value, such as 30 or 50+, and good UVA protection," says Dr Fassihi. "This means that the product will give the best possible protection again sunburn and will also protect against UVA which causes skin aging. The amount of protection a sunscreen provides is related to how thickly it is applied onto the skin, so be generous with your sunscreen application," she adds. Many experts suggest a dessert spoon sized amount, or around two fingers worth of product to effectively protect your skin.
Next, you want to consider the type of SPF for your skin type. "If the skin is dry and sensitive then I would suggest choosing an SPF 50 with no fragrance and minimal ingredients. Those with a higher contents of mineral (physical) sunscreen filters (often found in children’s sunscreens) are tolerated better by people with sensitive skin," says Dr Fassihi. "Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF50++ offers very high broad-spectrum facial sun protection for dry sensitive skin in a moisturising perfume-free formula. The netlock technology delivers a non-migrating and very resistant sunscreen with reduced eye stinging," she says.
For those with normal skin to combination skin, she recommends the Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+, which offers an invisible non-greasy formulation—making it ideal as make-up primer, whereas those with sun damage will benefit from Anthelios Age Correct SPF50, which protects the skin and also addresses dark spots and pigmentation.
"There is now a broad selection of sunscreen for all skin types on the market," says Dr Fassihi." There are a variety of textures, with or without a tint, allowing you to pick the perfect product for your skin type."
Scroll ahead for some of our favourite SPFs for mature skin.
The Best SPFs For Mature Skin
1. Best Everyday SPF: Templespa Life Defence SPF 50
2. Best SPF For Dark Spots: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50+
3. Best Lightweight SPF: Dr Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50
4. Best Tinted SPF: Beauty Pie Luminous Mineral Skin Tint Broad-Spectrum Spf 40 Sunscreen
5. Best Hydrating SPF: Lumene Fresh Hydration Moisturiser SPF 50
6. Best Fragrance-Free SPF: SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF 50+
7. Best SPF Under Makeup: Elemis Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF 50
8. Best Affordable SPF: Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Age Super UV Face Protection SPF50 Cream
9. Best SPF For Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Uvmune 400 Hydrating Suncream SPF 50
10. Best Mineral SPF: Avène Very High Protection Mineral Fluid SPF 50+
11. Best Chemical SPF: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF 50 + Primer
12. Best SPF For Oily/Acne Prone Skin: Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50
13. Best Invisible SPF: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30 PA+++
1. Best Everyday SPF
Pros: Lightweight, non-greasy, no white cast
Cons: Might not be for you if you want a mattifying finish
If you want a no-fuss SPF that you can easily apply for everyday wear, make it this one. The moisturising formula contains SPF 50 and glides onto the skin with a non-greasy finish that doesn't clog pores and looks great worn alone or underneath makeup. It leaves skin with a dewy finish and is also packed with antioxidants to help shield your skin from environmental aggressors throughout the day too.
2. Best SPF For Dark Spots
Pros: Helps to brighten pigmentation and dark spots
Cons: Might be too heavy for acne-prone skin
La Roche-Posay has several great SPF options, but this one is particularly good if you want to address fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots while protecting your skin from UVA/UVB rays. The nourishing cream is also great for sensitive skin.
3. Best Lightweight SPF
Pros: Lightweight, ideal for sensitive skin
Cons: More expensive than others
Dr Barbara Sturm's SPF drops are loved among beauty editors for its lightweight texture that immediately sinks into the skin with an undetectable finish. They're great on all skin types, but particularly so for sensitive skin. They might be more expensive than most but trust us, you won't regret trying them (they also come in a 10ml size if you want to try them before committing to a larger 30ml bottle).
4. Best Tinted SPF
Pros: Lightweight, dewy finish and sheer coverage
Cons: You'll need to make sure you're applying a dedicated SPF underneath too
This is one of the best skin tints I've tried of late, and the addition of SPF is a huge plus. We tend to apply SPF makeup products more sparingly, so you'll want to apply a dedicated SPF underneath this to ensure you're getting enough sun protection. The sheer formula melts into the skin to deliver a dewy finish that gives a light veil of coverage without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin.
5. Best Hydrating SPF
Pros: Glowy, hydrating and dewy finish
Cons: None
You can count on Nordic brand Lumene to deliver a brilliant skincare product, and its SPF moisturiser is no different. This SPF-moisturiser hybrid streamlines your routine as it can easily replace your current moisturising product with the addition of SPF too. It gives skin a glowy, glassy finish while hydrating with hyaluronic acid, Artic spring water and nourishing Nordic algae and organic birch sap.
6. Best Fragrance-Free SPF
Pros: Fragrance-free formula ideal for sensitive skin, doesn't sting eyes
Cons: More expensive than most
I always trust SkinCeuticals products, and I always come back to this SPF, which is ideal for sensitive skin. It's free of fragrance (which can sometimes upset sensitive skin) and doesn't sting eyes either. The lightweight cream formula melts into the skin well and primes skin nicely for makeup too.
7. Best SPF To Wear Under Makeup
Pros: Wears well underneath makeup, hydrating
Cons: More expensive than most
If you love the highly-acclaimed Pro-Collagen moisturiser you'll love Elemis' new SPF in the same range. This has been a hit with our beauty team for its lightweight texture that sinks in quickly for makeup application with zero white cast, all while nourishing the skin with the brand's signature marine algae for hydrated, smooth and plumped skin.
8. Best Affordable SPF
Pros: Affordable
Cons: Can leave a slight white cast on darker skin tones
When I was sent this, I ended up giving it to my partner and immediately asked for it back—his skin looked amazing after a week of using it. It looks so glowy on the skin and comes in at a very affordable price point. It also has a non-greasy finish, but can have a slightly white cast on those with dark skin, which may require more blending.
9. Best SPF For Sensitive Skin
Pros: Great for sensitive skin
Cons: Might be too nourishing for oily skin types
Finding a good SPF can be tricky when you have sensitive skin, but this one doesn't burn or sting even the most delicate of complexions. The cream formula is also really nourishing and soothing to apply.
10. Best Mineral SPF
Pros: Mineral formula, ideal for sensitive skin
Cons: None
This one is formulated with mineral filters, making it great for sensitised complexions, and it also has a soft-matte finish that leaves skin velvety soft. As it is a mineral-based SPF, it is more prone to leaving a white cast on dark skin tones, so you may prefer a chemical SPF for a more invisible finish.
11. Best Chemical SPF
Pros: Chemical formula, lightweight, no white cast
Cons: Can sting eyes
This is a brilliant does-it-all SPF that offers a high SPF protection and truly lives up to its featherlight name—it's weightless on the skin. It sinks in to a non-greasy finish, making it great for makeup prep or for wearing on its own. I do have sensitive eyes and find that it can irritate them if my eyes water (which they sometimes do during hay fever season) so I like to alternate this with the mineral based Traceless Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen + Primer.
12. Best SPF For Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Pros: Lightweight, oil-free formula
Cons: Might be too drying for fry skin types
I recommend this SPF to everyone I know with oily, acne-prone or combination skin. It's very lightweight and has an oil-free formula that doesn't clog pores like some SPFs can, and it provides a smooth, matte finish that helps to balance oilier skin types.
13. Best Invisible SPF
Pros: Totally invisible formula, doesn't leave a white cast, great primer for makeup
Cons: May be too heavy for those with acne-prone skin
This totally clear SPF has a velvety texture that glides onto the skin with zero white cast—it's totally invisible. It feels more like a primer than an SPF, making it great for makeup prep or if you prefer a more mattifying finish from your SPF.
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