20 best sunscreens for your face to buy in Australia
By Marina Tatas and Philippa Tonkin, for News Au.
This Aussie beauty brand just slashed the price of its best-selling beauty buy, backed by hundreds of five-star reviews.
Wearing sunscreen on your face daily is essential, especially in Australia.
No matter the time of year, the sun's rays can cause skin damage at any time. It's also essential to make sure you're applying enough sunscreen, too.
The correct amount to apply is one teaspoon for your head and neck. If this seems like a large amount, you can apply it in layers to allow it to soak into the skin effectively. Oh, and don't forget to reapply sunscreen, too.
But we get it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at times by the amount of choice when it comes to sun protection.
That's why we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled the best face sunscreens you can buy now, based on categories like affordability and shopper ratings, as well as a few news.com.au checkout team picks.
One of our favourites is Edible Beauty's Basking Beauty Natural Sunscreen SPF50, and it's now on sale for $32 (down from $40).
Combining high-quality skincare and sunscreen ingredients, this Aussie-made product is enriched with vitamin E and rosehip oil to nourish the skin while providing UVA/UVB protection. Even hundreds of five-star reviews have deemed it the "best on the market".
NEED TO KNOW
- Our top pick is Edible Beauty's Basking Beauty Natural Sunscreen SPF50 for a non-toxic, ocean-friendly, luxuriously hydrating, high-protection cream.
- When choosing a face sunscreen, you want to think about your skin type - different formulations work better for normal, combination, dry, oily or sensitive skin concerns.
OUR TOP PICK
Edible Beauty Basking Beauty Natural Sunscreen SPF50
Why we love it: This cream contains zero nasties and deeply hydrates your skin while offering high sun protection.
What to consider: It does have a slight scent, but it’s not overpowering and has even been described as “beautiful”.
Formula: Cream | Skin type: Most skin types | Size: 100g
What You Need To Know
If you’ve been on the hunt for an Australian-made sunscreen that’s gentle on the skin yet delivers high, long-lasting SPF 50 broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, look no further than this one from Edible Beauty.
It’s formulated with zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum sun protection, and is designed to be gentle on skin, alongside nourishing seed oils and vitamin E to help hydrate the skin.
It’s backed by over 350 five-star reviews, with many shoppers calling it the “best on the market”, and others adding it "does the job" and is "so easy to apply".
“This is the best sunscreen I have used over the years, it is very moisturising and doesn't leave a white residue,” one rave reviewer wrote.
Always read the label and read the directions for use. Avoid prolonged exposure in the sun and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when exposed to the sun. Frequent reapplication is required for effective sun protection.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING FACE SUNSCREEN
When choosing face sunscreens to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Skin Type: Do you have normal, combination, dry, oily or sensitive skin? Different formulations may be targeted to your type of skin. For example, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide-based sunscreen is a great pick for very sensitive skin types.
Application Method: Sunscreens can come with various application methods, including lotions with pumps or droppers, sprays, or sticks. Each is effective, but it depends on your personal preference.
Finish: Some sunscreens offer a creamy formula with a dewy finish, while others provide a matte appearance - generally, ones that contain zinc oxide will have more of a mattifying effect if that's what you're after. You also want it to mix well with the makeup products you apply over the top. Or you can even go for a tinted SPF option if you want a bit of makeup coverage.
Added Ingredients: With sunscreen becoming a greater part of the skincare world, we now see them formulated with well-known antioxidants and hydrators - perfect for those with mature skin.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of sunscreens available, it’s impossible to test every product out there. To help you find the best sunscreen, we tested a few well-known brands at different price points. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best chemical and mineral SPF for your skin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN?
“When it comes to the right sunscreen for you, there is no one-size-fits-all, as there is such a variety of skin types and needs,” says Caitlan Wyer, Senior Buyer for Beauty at THE ICONIC.
“When browsing, read through the product information and ingredient lists available, as you will find there is a greater assortment and choice available than ever before. From options for sensitive skin or dry skin, as well as formulas that are lightweight enough to wear under your everyday make-up while avoiding the undesirable white film on your skin or that sticky feeling.”
WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO APPLY SUNSCREEN?
According to SunSmart, you should apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go outside and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or excessive sweating.
The correct amount to apply to stay protected from harmful UV rays is one teaspoon for your head and neck, each limb, and the front and back of the body.
If this seems like a large amount, you can apply it in layers to allow it to soak into the skin effectively.
“I’ve found it easiest to include in my morning routine, after applying moisturiser, before makeup, or even on its own after cleansing. This way I never forget to apply sunscreen,” says Caitlin.
