Sunscreen may be the most important step in any skincare routine, but it is also the one most likely to be skipped.
Many are put off by greasy, pore-clogging formulas, but thanks to modern UV filters and improved ingredient formulations, the latest sunscreens are a world away from the sticky, heavy creams that gave SPF a bad name.
The most impressive formulas now come in the form of SPF serums, a new generation of thinner, more fluid textures that absorb quickly, leave no residue and deliver high protection while feeling just like skincare.
Best ultra-lightweight SPF serums at a glance
- Best overall: SunsolveMD Volumize + Restore Sunscreen SPF 40+ PA++++ — £68, Harrods
- Best for everyday wear: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR Serum Sunscreen SPF50 — £20.80, Lookfantastic
- Best for affordability: Nivea Sun 2in1 Primer Daily UV Serum SPF50+ — £8.59, Amazon
- Best for dark spots: Lancaster Sun Perfect Unifying Serum SPF50 — £38, Space NK
- Best for face and body: Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Serum SPF50+ — £9.48, Amazon
- Best for blemish-prone skin: CeraVe Invisible Dry Touch Fluid Sunscreen SPF50+ — £17.90, Lookfantastic
- Best for glow: Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ — £49, Sephora
- Best for splurge: Chanel Sublimage La UV Protection SPF50 — £95, Selfridges
- Best for dry skin: Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Skinscreen — £26.60, Cult Beauty
- Best for under makeup: Lancôme UV Expert Supra Screen SPF 50+ — £30.75, Lookfantastic
- Best for oily skin: Belif Super Drops Hydrating Sun Serum SPF50+ — £22, Amazon
This new category of sunscreen is particularly useful if you’re oily or prone to spots. “Some sunscreens are richer or more occlusive, which can trap oil, sweat and dead skin cells and lead to clogged pores, particularly in acne-prone skin,” explains Dr Derrick Phillips, consultant dermatologist. “If you’re prone to breakouts, it’s worth looking for lighter, non-comedogenic formulations, such as serum, fluid or gel textures.”
Serum-style formulas also sit more comfortably alongside other skincare products and makeup. Where other formulations can pill or leave your makeup sliding down your face after a couple of hours, many SPF serums double as the perfect base for makeup and even help to control excess oil production.
That said, the guidance surrounding sunscreen application still applies, regardless of whether your SPF is a serum or cream. “You need to wear SPF every day to prevent UVA and UVB rays from damaging the skin,” says Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, GP, aesthetics doctor and owner of The Aesthetics Doctor. “UVA rays are responsible for premature ageing. They’re present all year round and can penetrate glass. Unless you are literally in a dark room or a room with no windows all day, daily SPF is recommended,” he adds.
Unlike traditional serums, SPF serums should be the last step of your routine rather than layered under moisturiser or other skincare products. “Start with cleansing, then apply any treatment products, followed by a moisturiser. Your sunscreen goes on last, before makeup,” explains Dr Phillips. Being generous with your application is important too. “Most people underapply, which significantly reduces the level of protection,” Dr Phillips adds. “As a guide, you need around two finger lengths of product for the face and neck to achieve the SPF on the label.”
Knowing how to apply your sunscreen correctly is key, but picking the right one for your skin can make all the difference as to whether you actually wear it. So, whether you’re giving next-gen SPF serums a first try or you’re simply fed up with your current sunscreen causing clogged pores or spots, read on - I may have found the SPF serum to suit you.
How I tested
As a beauty journalist of over nine years and someone who wears daily SPF, I have a discerning eye when it comes to testing sunscreen.
For each product, I took note of the texture of the formula, how well it applied, what it felt like on my skin, how it wore under makeup and whether it left a white cast on my skin.
I also considered the price and value for money, any skincare benefits, the packaging and how much I actually enjoyed using it in order to give a well-rounded review.
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SunsolveMD Volumize + Restore Sunscreen SPF 40+ PA++++
Best: overall
A rare unicorn, SunsolveMD’s Volumize + Restore Sunscreen makes wearing SPF thoroughly enjoyable. Developed by a surgeon, biomedical engineer and cosmetic chemist, this impressive SPF serum is backed up by reams of scientific data and gives skin high protection without compromising on texture.
Designed for dry, dehydrated skin, the lightweight formula features Lipiderma Technology which helps restore hydration and fight free radicals like pollution and, as it contains mineral-based UV filters, the formula is fantastic for those who struggle with sensitivity or inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea or perioral dermatitis.
Buy now £68.00, Harrods
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR Serum Sunscreen SPF50
Best for: everyday wear
For those looking for a great everyday SPF, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR Serum Sunscreen is a no-brainer.
Made with UVAIR technology (making the SPF feel weightless on the skin) along with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin E, it provides broad-spectrum SPF50 protection while helping to strengthen the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated.
The serum texture soaks in quickly, leaves no white cast and sits beautifully, without pilling, under foundation and powders.
And, thanks to its hypoallergenic formula, it suits even the most reactive skin types.
Buy now £20.80, Lookfantastic
Nivea Sun 2in1 Primer Daily UV Serum SPF50+
Best for: affordability
A great SPF serum doesn’t need to break the bank and the Nivea Sun 2in1 Primer Daily UV Serum proves just that. Fast-absorbing and ultra-lightweight, it protects skin from UVA and UVB rays as well as blue light, while doubling as a smoothing primer for makeup.
Formulated with hyaluron, an ingredient that hydrates the skin deep down, as well as Licochalcone A, a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from environmental stressors, this sunscreen is ideal for daily wear and, at just £10, means you’re not spending a small fortune in order to replenish your stash.
Buy now £8.59, Amazon
Lancaster Sun Perfect Unifying Serum SPF50
Best for: dark spots
If dark spots (otherwise known as age or liver spots) bother you, try the Lancaster Sun Perfect Unifying Serum SPF50. This hydrating, non-greasy SPF contains active ingredients niacinamide and vitamin C to target hyperpigmentation and leave skin looking brighter and more even.
Its ultra-light serum texture absorbs into the skin in seconds, giving broad-spectrum protection from UVB and UVA rays, visible light, and infrared rays, while keeping the skin moisturised and perfectly prepped for makeup.
Buy now £38.00, Space NK
Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Serum SPF50+
Best for: face and body
Need head-to-toe protection? There’s no need to buy two separate products as Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Serum SPF50+ is suitable for face and body. Fragrance-free, lightweight and hypoallergenic, this formula is packed with skin barrier-boosting ceramides and provides a high level of protection from UVA, Long UVA and UVB rays.
Absorbing quickly into the skin, what sets this water-resistant SPF serum apart is its capless nozzle design — simply twist the nozzle to dispense the serum and twist back to secure. This makes it a perfect option for tossing in your handbag for on-the-go application.
Buy now £9.48, Amazon
CeraVe Invisible Dry Touch Fluid Sunscreen SPF50+
Best for: blemish-prone skin
If oily, congestion-prone skin leaves you wary of sunscreen, try CeraVe’s Invisible Dry Touch Fluid Sunscreen SPF50+.
The lightweight, breathable formula glides on without leaving a greasy film or clogging pores, while shielding skin from UVA, UVB, and environmental pollution.
Packed with ceramides and niacinamide to support the skin barrier, plus vitamin E to help boost natural collagen production, this dry-touch SPF serum leaves skin feeling smooth, balanced, and shine-free — perfect for keeping breakouts at bay while wearing makeup or going bare-faced.
Buy now £17.90, Lookfantastic
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
Best for: glow
For a sunscreen that feels like a light moisturiser, you can’t beat Tatcha’s The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+. The milky serum-style texture disappears into the skin, leaving behind a layer of moisture with no white cast whatsoever.
Slather it over your face and neck, and the encapsulated ectoin and vitamin E work together to keep your barrier strong and hydrate dry patches, while Japanese aloe helps soothe and calm stressed skin.
The result? Skin that feels soft, hydrated and comfortable and has a high level of sun protection.
Buy now £49.00, Sephora
Chanel Sublimage La UV Protection SPF50
Best for: a splurge
For luxury lovers, Chanel’s Sublimage La UV Protection SPF50 is the ultimate upgrade on everyday sunscreen.
The formula leans heavily into skincare with vanilla planifolia extracts (the Chanel Sublimage range’s signature ingredient) to support skin renewal and help prevent premature ageing, plus oligopeptides to combat signs of sun damage.
Nourishing, silky and lightly fragranced (be aware sensitive skin types), it very much feels like a premium moisturiser and melts into the skin to create a perfect canvas for makeup.
Buy now £95.00, Selfridges
Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Skinscreen
Best for: dry skin
If you’re after glow, the Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Skinscreen from sunscreen specialists Ultra Violette should be on your radar. Featuring dropper packaging, this super thin, radiance-boosting SPF serum has a brilliant level of UV protection but remains a product you actually enjoy applying.
Containing niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier, a blend of antioxidants to brighten dark spots and defend against external aggressors and pink algae to improve fine lines, this sunscreen not only protects your skin but makes it look smooth, radiant and healthy from the moment it's applied.
Buy now £26.60, Cult Beauty
Lancôme UV Expert Supra Screen SPF 50+
Best for: under makeup
For daily makeup wearers concerned with their SPF pilling, try Lancôme UV Expert Supra Screen SPF 50+. This light, serum-like formula absorbs in seconds leaving an invisible smooth base that won’t interfere with foundation or powders.
Formulated with niacinamide, vitamin E and green tech dandelion, it helps brighten dark spots, plump up fine lines and keeps skin protected without greasiness. And, thanks to the sophisticated UV filters, it doesn’t leave a white cast on deeper skin tones.
Buy now £30.75, Lookfantastic
Belif Super Drops Hydrating Sun Serum SPF50+
Best for: oily skin
Don’t let oily skin stop you from wearing SPF. Instead, try Korean skincare brand Belif’s Super Drops Hydrating Sun Serum SPF50+. This non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula feels feather-light, absorbs quickly and dries down to a demi-matte finish.
Made with Haeyun Complex, a blend of three Korean seaweeds, plus panthenol, it calms angry, irritated skin and delivers hydration without extra shine.
Fantastic under makeup and a great option for acne-prone skin, it shields from UVA and UVB rays to prevent premature ageing and keep skin looking healthy and youthful.
Buy now £22.00, Amazon
Verdict
Despite all of these SPF serums being fantastic in their own way, I’m hard-pressed to put any above SunsolveMD’s Volumize + Restore Sunscreen SPF 40+ PA++++. The perfect option for undetectable, high-level protection, it feels hydrating without being sticky, doesn’t irritate sensitive skin types and actively helps to strengthen a damaged skin barrier.
That being said, my runner-up would have to be La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR Serum Sunscreen SPF50. A great all-rounder and slightly more affordable, it’s an easy product to slot into your skincare routine every morning and won’t wreak havoc with your makeup.
What’s the difference between a chemical and mineral SPF?
“The main difference between a chemical and mineral SPF comes down to how the filters are formulated and how they interact with UV radiation,” explains Dr Phillips. “Mineral sunscreens are made using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They sit on the surface of the skin and predominantly absorb UV radiation, converting it into a small amount of heat, with a small degree of reflection and scattering. They begin working as soon as they are applied.”
Chemical sunscreens differ slightly and need to be applied well in advance. “Chemical SPFs contain filters that absorb harmful UV radiation and convert it into heat before it can damage the skin,” says Dr Phillips. “They need to be applied around 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure to allow an even protective film to form.”
When compared, mineral and chemical sunscreens can behave differently on the skin too. Mineral-based formulas are more likely to leave a white cast but tend to be better tolerated by those with sensitive skin, whereas chemical formulations typically absorb well and leave no residue, but can irritate sensitive skin types.
Can you still tan while wearing sunscreen?
A common misconception is that you can’t tan while wearing sunscreen, but according to Dr El Muntasar, this is far from the truth. “You still tan while wearing sunscreen,” he says. “SPF reduces the amount of UV reaching the skin but does not block it entirely, which is why some tanning can still occur.”
Ask any skin expert and they’ll tell you that a suntan is not recommended for healthy skin and it’s actually a sign of cell damage. So, if you want a healthy glow then fake tan is the way to go.
Is SPF50 better than SPF30?
SPF50 does offer more protection than SPF30, but according to Dr Phillips, the difference is often misunderstood. “SPF30 blocks around 97% of UVB rays, while SPF50 blocks about 98%,” he explains. “That sounds small, but it’s more helpful to look at what gets through. SPF30 allows about 3% of UVB to reach the skin, whereas SPF50 allows around 2% so in relative terms, SPF30 lets through roughly 50% more UV.”
As a general rule, going for a higher sun protection factor is generally more favourable if you want to avoid cell damage and premature ageing, so aim high.
Does makeup with SPF count?
It might be tempting to skip the sunscreen if your makeup contains SPF, but Dr Phillips advises against this. “To achieve the SPF on the label, sunscreen needs to be applied quite generously. In reality, most people apply far less makeup than this, so the level of protection you get is significantly lower than advertised.”
“Make-up with SPF can contribute to your overall protection, but it’s very unlikely to be enough on its own,” says Dr Phillips. “I would still recommend using a dedicated sunscreen as your base layer, with SPF in make-up acting as a useful top up rather than your sole source of protection.”
