News flash! Even the best sun creams and sunscreen sprays will not provide all day protection against harmful UV rays. According to the experts, we should re-apply a broad-spectrum SPF every two hours – even on a cloudy day. But how do we reapply sunscreen without ruining our makeup, I hear you ask? Enter: face sunscreen sprays.
“If you want to avoid sun damage to the skin, high factor and UVA star-rated sunscreen should be the number one priority in your daily skincare routine,” says Dr Catharine Denning, advanced aesthetics doctor. The key, however, is finding an SPF that you’ll want to apply every day (and then re-apply again, and again).
“Not many people know this, but SPF only lasts on the skin for around two to three hours,” confirms Samantha Brett, founder of Naked Sundays SPF, “which is why it’s important to top up your SPF regularly, especially when you’re outdoors.”
While creams and lotions can be too heavy to re-apply, SPF face sprays offer a lightweight alternative for on-the-go top-ups that will protect the skin without disrupting your makeup. Tick, tick! Below, we round-up our favourite formulas – plus, we ask the experts to answer your most asked SPF spray questions.
Is spray sunscreen better?
“Spray sunscreens can be an effective way of topping up your sun protection throughout the day,” says Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London clinic. They're especially handy if you're wearing makeup and can’t completely reapply your facial sunscreen. “Essentially, they're a very convenient way to ensure you stay protected from the sun's UV rays day-long,” she continues.
It's worth caveating though that if you're swimming, towelling off or sweating excessively then the spray won't be adequate – “and you’d need to use your regular facial sunscreen to reapply,” says Mahto. So, to make it clear, “sunscreen sprays are purely for top up purposes (as there’s a tendency to not use enough product).”
Should you use sunscreen sprays alone or in conjunction with a cream SPF?
For your first SPF application, the experts recommend opting for a cream or lotion. “You should use about one-half a teaspoon of product to your face and neck,” says Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist. “This needs to dry for three to five minutes before applying foundation or tinted moisturiser.”
Then, “you can use an SPF face spray as often as you like throughout the day,” adds Brett, “it can double up as a body SPF spray as well.” Top tip? When layering SPFs, don’t mix chemical and mineral sunscreens. One 2021 study showed that zinc oxide (a popular mineral filter) may make chemical sunscreens less robust.
When should you apply sunscreen sprays in your beauty routine?
“Sunscreen is the last skincare product applied before makeup,” says Mahto. After cleansing and layering your best facial serums, reach for your regular SPF (be it a cream, gel or lotion). “You can then use your SPF mist to top up your protection when you’re out and about," says Brett.
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