The Best Facial SPF For Every Skin Type

If there’s one SPF dermatologists rave about it, it’s La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Invisible Fluid. Specifically designed for sensitive skin types, its fuss-free, hypoallergenic formula is perfect for everyday use.

Recently, it’s undergone an upgrade to improve its protection levels following newer studies which showed longer UVA rays can penetrate the skin at a deeper level. The result? Quicker, premature ageing that’s impossible to reverse. That’s why the brand rejigged the formula with a new UV filter – ‘Mexoryl 400’. It's the most efficient UV filter against the most penetrative UV rays, which includes ultra long UVA – aka, the most definitive cause of premature ageing. Fans of the original need not panic – just like its predecessor, it’s still compact and maintains that lightweight, super thin texture that never smothers skin or makes it feel greasy.

We love that this SPF doesn’t leave a white cast on your skin – it means you can wear it under make-up without any fear of pilling. Never suffocating, you’ll find it’s easy to reapply, too. Aim for a dessert spoon dollop to cover your complexion, including often-neglected areas like your ears. It may sound like a lot, but you’ll find it absorbs fast without that tacky dry down.

Skin experts swear by the formula’s ‘game-changing’texture. “Water, sweat and sand-resistant, this high-protection sun cream creates a lightweight veil on the skin with an invisible, non-greasy finish,” says Dr Usman Qureshi, aesthetic doctor & founder of Luxe Skin by Dr Q. Skincare. Facial and tanning expert Michaella Bolder agrees: “It’s a great light fluid option for all skin types. It’s easy to apply and blends beautifully into the skin. I especially love its compact size – perfect for popping in your bag to use on the go.” It’s not just the pros that rate it either – SheerLuxe readers voted it as the best facial SPF in this year’s beauty awards.

Ten years in the making and 60+ scientific studies later, the upgraded Anthelios UVMune400 is set to be another bestseller for La Roche Posay. Dr Françoise Bernerd, Head of Light and Pigmentation research at L’Oréal expands: “Our knowledge of the way UV affects the skin is constantly evolving, and that knowledge demands innovation in sun protection. As we have learned more about how the different parts of the light spectrum interact with skin structures, we’ve pushed hard to create solutions that will better protect the skin.” Not only does this updated SPF deliver great results, it does so with minimal fuss. The comfortable wear is key – especially as surveys show many people don’t wear SPF due to it feeling heavy or occlusive.