20 best sunscreens for the face that are genuinely enjoyable to wear – tried and tested

Why we love it: It's true, we've never met a Beauty Pie product we didn't like, but this SPF has to be one of our top ten picks.

It gives you an impressive factor 50 protection and feels weightless on the skin. It features UVA and UVB protection, is non-comedogenic and is packed with fancy Tomato Stem Cell Extract and peptides to hydrate and protect skin. Did we mention it's a great primer for makeup too? Gold stars all round.

Why we love it: If you often find yourself skipping SPF, introduce an SPF moisturiser into your routine to combine both hydration and sun protection. A favourite formula of mine is Bioré’s UV Aqua Rich Glowy Weightless Moisturiser. Not only does it provide strong sun defense – including UVB and UVA protection – but it lends a stunning, lit-from-within glow to my complexion.

Why we love it: I recently took these drops on a trip to Barbados (ik, ik, ik) and I received daily compliments on how glowy my skin looked. Bc, yes, these drops are glowy – with a capital G. Some may find them too glowy for every day wear in the UK, but if you are on a sun-soaked trip and you want your skin to shine with a golden bronze (and stay protected thanks to SPF 30) these drops are the ones to invest in.

Why we love it: A super-lightweight fluid that blends in with a weightless feel. It never has a greasy slick, so it’s a good option for those with oily skin too, but it also contains ceramides to keep the skin barrier strong and hydrated.

Why we love it: This is an oldie-but-a-goodie, loved by experts and editors alike – in face, I often use it as a benchmark for all new ones I try. With a weightless texture that feels closer to a serum than a lotion, it’s perfect for all skin tones, as there’s zero chance of any chalky residue.

Why we love it: I’m not the only Cosmo writer to say I love this SPF – and with 218 five-star reviews on the Boots website, I think it’s fair to say it’s a firm favourite among beauty lovers too.

Coming to you from K-Beauty brand Haruharu Wonder, this sunscreen offers super-high sun protection but has a velvety-soft formula – infused with black rice extract and hyaluronic acid – to keep the skin feeling soft and moisturised throughout the day, without any greasy residue or dreaded white cast.

Why we love it: Unlike most tinted SPFs that come in a token couple of shades, Merit’s The Uniform is available in 20 tones across different depths and undertones, which immediately makes it far more inclusive. It smooths easily over skin, evening out tone and softening the look of texture and blemishes in just a few swipes, whether you use fingers or a brush. As for sun defense, it offers SPF 50, just make sure you apply enough to ensure the full protection – or apply a SPF mist over top.

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a lightweight, reliable, high-protection SPF at a decent price point, CeraVe is your go-to. I already love the brand’s no-frills skincare, so we were all chuffed when sunscreen was added to the line-up. The fluid is perfect for the face: it is packed with ceramides, of course, has an invisible finish.

Why we love it: Ultra Violette offers multiple SPF formulations to try depending on your skin type, so you're bound to find the sunscreen for you.

Its Hydrating Facial Skinscreen is by far my favourite for dry skin types as it means you can skip moisturiser altogether, but it doesn't leave that greasy feeling associated with other sunscreens.

Why we love it: Protecting your face from sun damage (and signs of ageing) shouldn't have to cost you a fortune. This not only leaves skin dewy and plumed, sans any greasiness, but it's also £20. For a factor 50, that is.

It's so good, we actually wrote a whole love letter dedicated to this silky SPF which you can read all about here.

Why we love: Ok, I know it's a bit on the pricey side, but hear me out. This is one of the best sunscreens I've ever tried, not only does it offer broad spectrum SPF50 and leave no greasy or chalky residue, but it also contains a powerhouse of skincare ingredients, including niacinamide (which helps decongest and brighten the skin).

Why we love it: As a chemical sunscreen (identified by the octocrylene in its ingredients list), this SPF is supposed to feel lightweight on the skin and not leave a white cast – and thankfully, it does both... and more! So, if you're after a protective SPF that sits under makeup without trace, this is the all-rounder to know.

Why we love it: Easy to apply, fast to absorb and above all, broad spectrum protection with zero white cast, this light spritz is as top-tier as it sounds.

We all know that reapplying SPF can be a laborious task (especially when in the sweltering sun) and something that many of us may forget to do... guilty. However, it need not be a chore anymore because trust me, you'll want to reach for this refreshing boost of hydration. Plus, it smells delicious and that's always an added bonus!

Why we love it: Vitamin C's antioxidant properties help fight against free radical damage, so it makes total sense to combine it with your SPF. In fact, the superstar ingredient will actually amplify your sunscreen's effectiveness. So, technically – according to girl math – this is a two-in-one. Plus, this adds some serious glow to skin too.

Why we love it: Niacinamide? In a face SPF? Yes, please! We’re not only protecting our skin from the sun, but treating fine lines and texture with a mattifying effect, too. Pores, be gone!

Why we love it: As a greasy b*tch, I understand how difficult it can be to control oily skin – let alone in the summer heat. Alas, fear not for Eucerin's Oil Control Sun Gel Cream is here to help! (And be your best friend!)

Not only does this cream dry down matte but it's dermatologically-approved ingredients make for a non-comedogenic formula. Aka, it won't break you out or clog pores. An all-round winner.

Why we love it: Not only are we huge fans of this SPF (and of Fenty Skin in general, tbh), but it also won the seal of approval from Dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk when she reviewed celebrity skincare lines for us. "I adore this," she told us, whilst also shouting out the inkey list which includes niacinamide, glycerine and hyaluronic acid.

Plus, it's non-comedogenic so suitable for acne-prone skin. Hurray!

Why we love it: This little pocket-friendly wonder is so handy. Perfect for face, lips, hands and anywhere that needs frequent SPF top-ups. One quick swipe delivers high protection in a non-greasy disappearing formula.