If you haven’t already heard it from your favourite beauty influencer, SPF is a year-round must-have in your beauty routine. The NHS released information on the importance of sunscreen and the steps beach-goers need to take to prevent their skin from sun damage. The NHS advise that: “Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it’s cloudy.” The NHS‘ notes that “there’s no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects.”
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, men, women and children over 6 months of age should use sunscreen every day to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. Benefits also include reduced risk of skin cancer, sunburns, sunspots, inflammation and signs of aging to name a few.
However, in the UK, it seems daily sunscreen use has been put on the back-burner, as an independent YouGov survey, commissioned by pioneering skincare brand Face the Future found that a third of people in the UK prioritise moisturiser over use of sunscreen as the most important step in their skincare routine. Worryingly, almost half of the UK (45%) do not apply SPF most days or daily.
But, as viral SPF favourites like Bondi Sands and Supergoop! skyrocket in sales thanks to TikTok trends, there’s hope on the horizon, as Face the Future found that 42% of the UK say their opinion of SPF has become much more important than when they were younger. There’s still lots of learning to be done, but if you’re wondering which viral SPF under £40 to add to your next beauty haul, keep scrolling for our top picks.
The younger sister of the TikTok-favourite Unscreen Sunscreen is another viral hit by Supergoop!, it’s their Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF50. This SPF provides daily protection in a smooth, buildable formula while helping to even the look of your complexion while keeping it fresh and hydrated throughout the day. It also boasts hyaluronic acid and ectoin to defend against environmental stressors like blue light and pollution.
La Roche-Posay is a skincare giant, with many online praising the brand for saving their sensitive skin from acne flare-ups and inflammation, so it’s no surprise that their Ultra Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ is a fan-favourite. This product comes dermatologist recommended, is ultra-resistant to water, sweat and sand making it the perfect beach beauty bestie and most importantly leaves no white cast or eye-sting. A win-win!
Developed by dermatologists and boasting three essential ceramides for optimal skin barrier protection, the viral CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF 50 is a great addition to your holiday beauty bag. It comes with skincare goodies like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to moisturise your skin, restore your skin barrier and protect from harmful UV rays.
Designed for oily and breakout-prone skin, the Eucerin Sun Face Oil Control SPF 50+ Duo protects your skin from UV rays while providing an invisible, matte finish which lasts for up to eight hours. This two-pack deal offers lightweight, non-greasy, gel-based sun protection while visibly brightening and nourishing your skin.
The cheapest of the viral favourites but by no means the weakest! Garnier’s Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50+ Glow combines SPF 50 for sun protection with skincare hero ingredient vitamin C, best known for boosting brightness and improving skin complexion. For under a tenner, this product offers protection from UV damage, instant radiance and a sheer, lightweight glow.
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