The bottom line? You’re more likely to want to use them every day. Use a separate sunscreen for the face So here goes, the best sun cream money can buy in 2023, whatever your preference. Best sunscreens for face The Lancaster brand was formed in 1946 by two visionaries: Georges Wurz and Dr Eugène Frezzatti. They aimed to get women excited about their skin again after the Second World War, and set about bottling up age-defying technologies. With a royal history extending to legendary ambassadors such as Princess Grace Kelly, it's no wonder that in 2021 the brand is still at the forefront of the protective skincare industry. These days the brand is perhaps best known for its contribution to sun care and tanning products, which first shot to fame in 1971. Each of these sun creams has been tested by someone on the Marie Claire UK beauty team against the below criteria. If the sun cream reveals a 'yes' answer to the below, it's made it on the our edit of the best.

The good news is, nowadays there are plenty of sun creams that actually feel really nice to apply. In fact, they feel so nice that even the most stubborn SPF-haters out there will find themselves looking forward to slapping them on every day.

CLEAN & OCEAN FRIENDLY

UVA star rating:Here in the UK, our suncare brands will use the UVA star rating. It shows UVA in a circle with stars below indicating the level of protection. One star is minimum, two stars moderate, three stars good, four stars superior and five stars ultra. You want your suncream to protect against both UVA (the skin ageing rays) and UVB (the burning rays). Look for the term broad-spectrum, as this indicates the formula contains adequate protection against both types of rays. However, it's a good idea to pay closer attention to the individual levels of both UVA and UVB protection. UVB protection: New technology means that the latest sunscreens are now genuinely invisible on application. Oh-so sheer that they glide over the skin as light as coconut water. UVA Seal: This is the most common UVA rating. It's the letters UVA in a circle and has been classed as sufficient protection. You need to have oil in sunscreen as that’s where the high, broad-spectrum filters are embedded," says dermatologist Dr Hiva Fassihi. The water phase is where the hydrating and antioxidant ingredients sit.

We chatted with Jo Stoddart, Cancer Specialist at Bupa UK, about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in the pigment cells in your skin – called melanocytes—and can spread to other parts of your body. Thought mainly to be due to sun exposure, the incidence is increasing and unfortunately in some cases can be life-threatening. What are the causes of melanoma? The SPF (sun protection power) number indicates the level of protection against burning. The NHS recommends using SPF 30 and above. SPF 30 is clinically proven to be a sufficient amount of protection to reduce the adverse effects of sunlight. UVA protection: Dispensed as a fine mist, those like La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Spray SPF50+ and Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water Hydrating SPF50, are so lightweight, you could almost forget you were wearing sun cream altogether. Today, Lancaster’s cult products include the Sun Tan Maximiser After Sun Lotion and the Sun Beauty Satin Sheen Oil Fast Tan Optimiser Body SPF30. Both products allow for a natural tan, and the formula works in a way that doesn’t harm the skin. As we know, the sun’s UV rays can exaggerate signs of ageing such as dry skin (which leads to wrinkles and fine lines) and age spots. This means that it's important to have some star SPF products in our skincare routines – as Lancaster promotes – to counteract this.To protect against ageing, skin-damaging rays, you should look for UVA protection. You want to make sure your suncream protects against UVA rays because they travel deeper into the skin where they can trigger pigmentation, wrinkles and loss of firmness. This protection is indicated in various forms, depending on where the sun cream is from. It broadly protects skin against UVBs, UVAs, visible light and infrared rays, shielding it from sun-induced damage, and strengthening its resistance against future sun damage. The formula also prevents and helps to correct wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. Skin hydration and texture are improved and skin's natural luminosity is enhanced. Skin is even and youthful looking with an immediate natural glow, all year round. The sun protection ingredients for facial use aren’t necessarily different from those you apply elsewhere. You’ll just find the textures thinner, less pore-clogging and designed to play nicely under make-up.

There are lots of little symbols and numbers on sun cream bottles, which can be confusing, so here's a little guide to help you decipher the information. The best facial sunscreens and the best SPF moisturisers are also flooded with additional skincare ingredients such as antioxidants to ward off sun-related issues such as wrinkles, pigmentation and dehydration. How to use sunscreen Excessive exposure to sunlight or UV radiation from sunbed use is the main environmental factor that can cause melanoma. If you have had severe sunburn or intense exposure to the sun in the past, particularly in childhood, then you are also at a higher risk. What are the signs of melanoma?This is especially true of the latest SPF50 oil-in-water hybrids, which are as far from a traditional suncream as you can get. PA Rating: Seen mostly on American and International brands. The higher the number of + after the PA the better (the highest rating is PA++++). It's not really recognised as the best way to show protection here in the UK. Why is it so important to use the best sun cream? Melanoma is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. There are certain genetic factors, which will increase your risk of developing melanoma, including those who have a larger number of moles or moles that are atypical. Additionally, people with pale skin, red or blonde hair and blue or green eyes are at a greater risk than those with dark features.