Along with fish and chips and salt air, the smell of sunscreen is synonymous with a Kiwi summer. That’s for good reason – nobody wants to relive the sting of a childhood sunburn – but in fact, SPF should be worn from January 1 to December 31. That’s because harmful UV rays are a year-round issue, especially with New Zealand’s extra-harsh sun.
Don’t worry. Sunscreens have come a long way since the thick goop we were coated in as kids. Now there are ultra-sheer, tinted and hydrating options packed with skincare goodies, to give your skin a glowing finish year round. From the beach to the bar, the school run and everything in between, we’ve rounded up our favourite sunblocks to buy this season.
The best sunscreens to buy no matter your skin type
THE BEST ULTRA-THIN, ULTRA-SHEER FORMULAS
In recent years, sunscreen makers seem to have cracked it when it comes to making watery, fluid-like sunscreen that offers a barely there feel – perfect for those of us who tend oily (ok, sweaty) complexions in the summer. Ultra-light in weight, but packing a punch in terms of sun protection? Sign us up.
01
Go-To Nifty Fifty Fluid
$45 from Go-To
If you hate the feeling of lotion on your face – or you’re trying to gently ease your partner into a SPF habit – this sheer sunscreen should be top of your list. This Nifty Fifty formula is ultra-light and absorbs almost instantly while playing nice with your pre-existing skincare routine.
The chemical formula means no white-cast worries, and the handy packaging makes it easy to chuck into your gym bag or work tote while on the move.
Key features:
- Suitable for all skin types
- Made in Australia
- Sulfate and paraben-free
- Sustainable packaging
- SPF 50
02
Avène Sunsitive Sunscreen Fluid (Invisible Finish) SPF50+
$38.70 from Adore Beauty
On its arrival at the Now to Love office, this sunblock bet out the competition for the quickest absorption on the back of the hand. Leaving behind an invisible texture and dry touch feel, it’s our top recommendation for those in a rush in the morning. (So, all of us).
The fragrance-free formula is fab for those with sensitive skin. And throw it in your beach bag this summer – it provides four hours of water resistance, making it excellent for beach days.
.Key features:
- SPF 50+,
- Invisible finish – no white cast
- 4 hours water resistant
- Specifically formulated for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologically & clinically tested
- Broad spectrum UVB-UVA protection
THE BEST BODY SUNBLOCK
When it comes to body sunscreens, the bigger the packaging the better in our humble opinion. Remember you should be using a shot glass worth of sunblock across your body each time you apply, so make sure you have enough not to get caught short. Here are our favourite hydrating body formulas for glowing – and protected – limbs.
Extreme Screen Bod Brigade SPF50+
$94 from Sephora
Another 500ml jumbo version of a winning formula! We wait all year to get our (sunblocked) hands on this holiday edition of Ultra Violette’s Extreme Screen formula. Non-sticky, hydrating and with a lightweight finish, slathering this sunblock on every day feels as easy as applying your daily moisturiser.
Key features:
- Protects against UVA and UVB rays.
- Contains hydrating Pentavitin and aloe vera to lock in moisture and soothe irritated skin
- Four hours water resistant
- No white cast
- Pleasant smell
Solar Screen Hydrating Lotion
$44.99 from Gem
This newcomer to the Australian sunscreen space is another ‘skinscreen’: suncare meets skincare. Made from a super hydrating blend of shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin E, it’s also broad spectrum SPF50+ to keep you protected all summer long. We’re big fans of the large 500ml pump bottle which makes it easy to slather on each morning.
Key features:
- With added skin-centric Shea Butter, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, known to nourish with every application.
- High UVA and UVB sun protection.
- Helps prevent sunspots and solar keratosis.
- 4Hr Water Resistance.
- Skin-friendly, nourishing and non-greasy sunscreen lotion.
THE BEST TINTED SUNSCREENS
Say it with me: we are NOT mixing our sunscreen with skin tints this summer. It lowers the efficacy of our sunblock to almost nothing. Instead, we’re opting for tinted sunblocks to even skin tone while providing coverage. Here are a couple of our faves.
03
Ultra Violette Daydream Tinted Veil
$62 from Sephora
This tinted ‘skinscreen’ does triple duty in your daily skincare and makeup routine. The tint evens skin tone, the hydrating formula provides a glow, while the SPF 50 protects from NZ’s harsh sun. Fragrance-free, it offers 15 flexible shades that suit dry, normal, combination and sensitive types.
Speaking anecdotally, I (Sarah, Shopping Editor) wear this every day without fail and it fakes an eight-hour-of-sleep-a-night glow, while providing a fair whack of coverage.
Key features:
- Even, buildable coverage
- OIl-free, silicone-free and alcohol-free formula
- Hydrating rice bran wax and pentavitin
- SPF 50
- Available in 15 shades
04
Bondi Sands Fragrance-Free Tinted Face Fluid
$18.99 from Chemist Warehouse
If you’re on a budget, this tinted sunscreen is a one-stop shop for light coverage and strong SPF protection… all for under $20. Combining broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection with skin hydration and a subtle tint, this ultra-lightweight fluid provides up to 72 hours of hydration. Use it as a correcting primer under makeup or alone for a clean-girl makeup look.
Key features:
- Cruelty-free
- Australian-made
- Broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection
- SPF 50+
- Non-comedogenic
THE BEST MINERAL SUNSCREENS
Mineral sunscreens use ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to physically block and reflect UV rays from the skin’s surface. They’re typically considered better for sensitive or acne-prone skin types. If you fall into this camp, you might be keen on one of the below formulas.
05
Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Creme
$110 from Dermalogica
Using 10 per cent zinc oxide as the active ingredient, this multitasking sunscreen delivers SPF40 protection. It also supports healthy-looking pores, minimising their appearance with a blurring, primer-like effect and enhancing skin tone with a hint of tint for radiant skin. The resulting consistency is almost primer-like, making it a fabulous product for under makeup.
Key features:
- High protection against UVA and UVB rays
- Blurs skin while supporting healthy-looking pores
- Enhances skin with a primer-like effect and hint of tint for sheer finish
06
Nifty Fifty Mineral
$62 from Go-To
If you’ve turned your sun-kissed nose up at mineral sunscreens for too long because of their reputation for leaving a white cast, this sunscreen will cause you to rethink that theory. This new release from Go-To has a slight tint and thanks to the inclusion of iron oxides, removes the white cast that can be a crime of some other mineral sunscreens.
It’s also rich in aloe and Kakadu plum, for skin soothing and nourishing effects.
Key features:
- Dermatologically tested for sensitive skin
- Made in Australia
- Sulfate & paraben free
- Sustainable packaging
- SPF 50
THE BEST HYDRATING SUNSCREEN/SKINCARE HYBRIDS
These days sunscreens aren’t just about protecting from the sun’s harmful rays. Many formulations include antioxidants, moisturizers, or anti-ageing ingredients to enhance skin health. For those who tend to err on the drier side, opt for sunscreen with hydrating and nourishing ingredients.
07
Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect
$154.10 from Adore Beauty
This sunblock promises to literally defy ageing. We can’t attest to that but we can attest to it being a super hydrating and nourishing – but still lightweight – daily moisturiser that offers SPF 50+ protection against the sun’s damaging and ageing effects.
Yes, it’s a little pricey. But infused with squalane and hyaluronic acid, it’s a hydrating moisturiser with SPF-protection, so basically, it’s all your skincare bases covered.
Key features:
- Cruelty-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Vegan
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Cosmeceuticals
08
Avène Sunsitive Sunscreen Serum SPF50+
$54.99 from Life Pharmacy
The hydrating ingredients in this silky serum-like sunscreen will give your skin a dewy glow, and help you cut down on skincare routine steps. A new release from the French pharmaceutical brand, it’s formulated with ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, along with soothing vitamin E and aloe vera. It’s also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so even those with acne-prone skin have no excuses not to wear it.
Key features:
150-300 word description of this product.
- SPF 50+
- Ultra-lightweight, non-greasy texture
- Fast-absorbing with no white cast
- Specifically formulated for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologically & clinically tested
- Broad spectrum UVB-UVA protection
What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?
A handy way to remember the difference between UVA and UVB:
- “A” is for ageing – the type of ultraviolet light the sun emits that penetrates deepest through the dermal layer and causes skin ageing, such as wrinkles and spots. UVA rays are dangerous because there’s no immediate sign of burning like UVB rays.
- “B” is for burning – it harms the top layer of your skin in a shorter amount of time than UVA rays.
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