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What is the best sunscreen for the face in 2022?
Investing in a good sunscreen is essential for you to keep your skin protected and healthy. Whether in summer or winter, you need to apply sunscreen on your face, especially if you are exposed to the sun.
There are several products that offer this kind of protection, but not all of them are effective. You must know brands like Neutrogena, La Roche-Posay, Vichy and even Sundown, but it's important to be aware when choosing basic criteria like SPF, skin type and the actives used in the formula.
Not always the best sunscreen is associated with the brand that accompanies it. Thinking about this, we selected the 10 best sunscreens for face of 2022. Follow the reading and know which one best suits your skin!
Comparison of the best facial sunscreens in 2022
How to choose the best sunscreen for the face
It is not enough just to choose a sunscreen by its SPF (sun protection factor), you need to pay attention to other product specifications, such as the formula, volume and skin type. Know these and other details below!
Select the best sunscreen according to your skin characteristics
There are skin types and each one of them has its own particularities. Knowing your facial skin and knowing which category it fits into will require special attention from you, especially when choosing the most appropriate sunscreen for your face.
If your skin is oily, for example, look for products that are oil-free and that are easily absorbed (or non-comedogenic), so you won't be clogging your skin pores or leaving it with excess oiliness. It's worth looking for protectors that indicate that they have a matte effect, or dry touch, so your skin won't be so shiny.
There are other protectors that are produced for sensitive skin, they usually have moisturizing substances such as panthenol. Moreover, there are people who have sensitive skin, at this point it is interesting to seek hypoallergenic products, or cruelty-free.
There are also sunscreens that are able to prevent premature aging, in them are present antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. There are several types of sunscreens, it is up to you to observe your need and decide which is the best for your skin.
Choose the sun protection factor according to your needs
The sun protection factor (SPF) is a fundamental criterion when choosing sunscreen. The SPF represents the time that your skin will be protected from UV rays, so you will be aware of how long you will be safe from the negative effects of the sun, such as burns and even prevent the risk of cancer.
You can do the calculation yourself according to the time it takes for your skin to turn red when exposed to the sun's rays. If, for example, you take 5 minutes to turn red, then SPF 30 will protect you 30 times beyond that time, so you will multiply these values and you will know that you are protected for 150 minutes (or 2h30).
However, it is important to know that the SPF alone does not indicate that you are protected for that long. Because, its protection is directly associated with other factors such as sweat, baths and dirt that can reduce this time by eliminating the protective barrier created by the sunscreen. Therefore, it is indicated to apply the sunscreen every 2 hours.
Protectors with PPD above 10 are good options against aging
Another feature that you should also be aware of about sunscreen is the PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening), this is a data that indicates the protection of your skin against UVA rays (or ultraviolet rays). This sun ray is responsible for the emergence of sagging, wrinkles, spots and even the development of skin cancer.
The PPD would then be the protection factor against UVA rays and since 2012 sunscreens are being produced with this factor as well. Being that this information is not always available on the product label, but you can measure the PPD of a sunscreen by calculating by 1/3 of the SPF.
In other cases you can verify this information by the acronym PPD+, the more this sign of more (+) is accompanying the PPD means that it has a high degree of protection of this factor. If you observe a product with PPD+++ means that it has PPD 10.
Also choose the texture that best suits your skin
The textures of the sunscreen will point to which type of skin it was produced, because each one of them will present an advantage in relation to absorption, oiliness and hydration. The different textures that are available by sunscreens are:
- Fluid: it has a liquid texture and quick absorption, offering great coverage for oily skin.
- Cream: this type of texture is more concentrated and usually associated with moisturizing substances, so it is recommended for dry or aging skin.
- Cream-gel: this is a very common texture among sunscreens, its mixture between gel and cream allows it to be applicable in all skin types.
- Fondant: the fondant texture is used as a base and can have different colors in order to cover the imperfections of the face.
Oily or combination skins should invest in sunscreens with a gel-cream and fluid texture, because of their fast absorption and for being lighter. For dry skins the recommended ones are heavier textures like cream or fondant.
Always opt for sunscreens with extra benefits
You may wish to use a sunscreen to do more than just protect from UVA and UVB rays, as many of them are designed to offer various benefits for the skin. Therefore, it is worth checking the specifications of each sunscreen in order to seek other results that you would also like to have by using these products.
As is the case of sunscreen that comes with vitamins in its composition. If it has vitamin A, vitamin C or vitamin E, know that these substances work as antioxidants and can help you prevent premature aging and even improve blood circulation in the skin.
In addition, you can look for other options such as hyaluronic acid, aerated silica and plant extracts. These ingredients are able to ensure better hydration for your skin, prevent acne, delay the marks of old age and still ensure healthier looking skin.
Waterproof protectors are more versatile
Many people use a sunscreen on beaches or pools when they are in summer and contact with water can be harmful. Depending on the sunscreen it can melt, whiten or even lose its effect, so it is interesting to use products that have water resistance.
So you can perform your activities from bathing in the sea or pool, to physical activities outdoors without fearing if you are unprotected in relation to sunscreen.
Color protectors can also be a good option
There are facial sunscreens that serve as an alternative to foundations, as they are made with color and adapt according to your desire on your skin. Choosing such a product will make your makeup process easier and still help hide imperfections on your face.
The advantage of using this type of protector is beyond the touch-up on the skin, the high coverage that it can guarantee in relation to the sun's rays. Besides having a formula that will protect you from the visible light that is the light emitted by the cell phone screen, monitor or lamps.
Analyse whether you need large or small packages
The face sunscreen can be found on the Brazilian market in quantities ranging from 40 to 70 ml. The volume offered are smaller than the ones for the body, because the region that this product will be used is smaller and yields much more, which justifies the offer for these volumes.
Give preference to tested and Cruelty Free protectors
The tested products are the first step of the brand to create a trust relationship with the consumer. With this information they ensure that the chance of happening allergic problems, or other adverse side effects do not occur to you.
If, by chance, it presents besides the dermatological tests the cruelty-free seal. Know that the brand produced the sunscreen with maximum efficiency, free of parabens, petrolatum and silicone, besides not having any ingredient of animal origin.
The 10 best sunscreens for the face to buy in 2022!
Now that you know the basic criteria to be evaluated when choosing your product, it is worth checking out the list with the 10 best sunscreens below. Search these options for the one that best suits your skin and meets your needs!
10
Cenoura & Bronze Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Excellent cost and benefit
Cenoura & Bronze facial sunscreen is famous for its affordability and the cost and benefit it offers. That's because it has a line of popular, low-cost products and offers a unique formula with carrot and vitamin E actives.
Its ingredients have a powerful action against skin aging, because it is present in its composition a high concentration of antioxidants capable of keeping your skin firm and well hydrated.
Besides, its gel-cream texture allows this product to be accessible for all skin types. This idea meets the brand's goal, allowing you to protect your skin without much cost.
| Assets | Carrot and Vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream-gel |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 30 |
| PPD | 10 |
| Volume | 50 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
Avène Perfect Matte Facial Sunscreen With Color
Perfect for darker shades
Avène's facial sunscreen reinvents itself with its Perfect Matte line with color. That's because unlike other sunscreens you don't have to worry about your skin getting whitish or grayish, and it works perfectly on combination and oily skin.
Its fluid texture allows it to have a drier touch and to be quickly absorbed by the skin. It also delays oiliness on the skin, which makes this product ideal for oily skin.
Another benefit in using this product is in its ability to reduce skin blemishes, especially those marks caused by acne wounds. Which makes this protector ideal for all skin tones.
| Assets | Thermal water, Vitamin C and E |
|---|---|
| Texture | Fluid |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 60 |
| PPD | 20 |
| Volume | 40 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
SkinCeuticals UV Oil Defense Sunscreen SPF 80
Intense and prolonged protection
SkinCeuticals sunscreen has a gel-cream texture, which makes this product ideal for those with oily or combination skin. Since this product has a quick absorption and does not allow oil to accumulate on the skin. Not to mention its SPF 80 and PPD 26 that ensure maximum protection against the sun's rays.
The advantage of this sunscreen is in its capacity, its technology was created so that it adapts to any skin type. In addition to having the Aerated Silica with high absorption power and helps control oiliness and keeps your skin healthier.
Despite these advantages, be warned that it leaves the skin a little whitish. This happens because of its high degree of SPF that makes the gel-cream more dense and consistent. But, this is just a detail in view of the long period of protection that this sunscreen guarantees for your skin.
| Assets | Panthenol and Aerated Silica |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream-gel |
| Skin Type | Oily or Mixed |
| FPS | 80 |
| PPD | 26 |
| Volume | 40 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
Episol Color Mantecorp Facial Sunscreen
Fondant with matte effect
Finding a sunscreen with color that adapts to the most diverse skin tones is not easy. The Mantecorp facial sunscreen can deliver in its line Episol Color an excellent coverage for all tones, with up to 5 colors available.
This sunscreen has a fondant texture, despite being considered a heavier material it promises a dry touch and matte effect. In practice, this feature allows people with oily skin to have access to this product, because it does not clog the skin pores and does not contribute to excess oiliness.
Despite these exceptional advantages, you should be aware of its use. Because, this product does not have a good water resistance. However, this protector does not come off with sweat which makes it useful only for daily use.
| Assets | Iron oxide and zinc oxide |
|---|---|
| Texture | Fondant |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 30 |
| PPD | 10 |
| Volume | 40 g |
| Cruelty-free | Yes |
Vichy Idéal Soleil Clarify Sunscreen
Skin well cared for and protected
The sunscreen from Vichy promises to preserve your skin, lighten the stains caused by the sun's rays and even uniform and matify the skin. In addition, it allows for easy application because it has a dry touch and a lighter texture. In other words, it is made for all skin types.
All this is due to its composition which contains dipotassium clicirrizinate, neohesperidine and LHA, which are extremely efficient actives in the combat to the skin spots, in the absorption of the greasiness and in the prevention of the precocious aging. This sun protector still has 4 types of colors capable to attend from 5 to 6 Brazilian phototypes.
Idéal Soleil Clarify sunscreen is able to protect, repair and preserve the health of your skin in a single product. This makes it ideal for day to day use, so you will always keep your skin well cared for and protected!
| Assets | Dipotassium Clicyrrizinate, neohesperidine and LHA |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream-gel |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 60 |
| PPD | 20 |
| Volume | 40 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
L'Oréal Paris Expertise Dry Touch Face Sunscreen
Intense and long lasting
L'Oréal Paris manages from its products to offer maximum quality and a great cost-benefit. Its face protector offers a dry touch and easy to spread, but still it does not have a quick absorption, keeping your skin slightly whitish after use.
Although it has a characteristic aroma of a sunscreen, it does not bother, because it is still very mild. The brand also promises to reduce glare and regulate oiliness, meeting its goal of being an affordable and popular product.
The Expertise Dry Touch facial sunscreen is able to protect your skin from UV rays, besides ensuring a good water resistance , which makes this sunscreen protect you for a long period of time.
| Assets | Mexoryl SX XL |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream-gel |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 60 |
| PPD | 20 |
| Volume | 40 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
Neostrata Minesol Oil Facial Sunscreen
New formula with antioxidants
This facial sunscreen has a gel-cream texture that offers a dry touch and easy absorption. This product was created in order to reduce and control skin oiliness, so as to ensure drier skin without the shine of oiliness for up to 8 consecutive hours.
In addition, Minesol Oil by Neostrata promotes a matte effect, ideal to leave your skin with a cleaner and healthier look. Therefore, it is recommended to use this sunscreen daily, because it ensures long-term protection, without weighing it down in its composition and without clogging the pores.
This is the new Neostrata product that has reinvented its formula in order to attend the public that has oily and mixed skin. Its new version has yet the additional of antioxidants that helps on skin recovery and to maintain it healthier.
| Assets | Neoglucosamine and Sepicontrol A5 |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream-gel |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 30 |
| PPD | 10 |
| Volume | 40 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
Sun Fresh Facial Sunscreen SPF60 Neutrogena
Protection and beauty in one product
Neutrogena launches a facial sunscreen with color capable of not only protecting against UVA and UVB rays, but also to aid aesthetically in whitening spots. It ensures a natural and uniform coverage for your skin, so you can use it as a foundation.
The color of this facial sunscreen is able to adapt to the most varied skin tones, ensuring a wide accessibility. This unique characteristic is associated to Neutrogena's new formula known as Helioplex XP, which guarantees protection and beauty in one single product.
Furthermore, Sun Fresh sunscreen is oil-free, which allows people with oily skin to use the product, since it absorbs quickly and does not clog the skin pores.
| Assets | Helioplex XP |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream-gel |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 60 |
| PPD | 20 |
| Volume | 50 ml |
| Cruelty-free | No |
Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Essence Face Protector
The perfect facial sunscreen for oily skin
Bioré may be a brand little known by the Brazilian public, but this Japanese company has begun to gain fame, mainly for offering products with high quality and technology.
Aqua Rich Watery Essence facial sunscreen is one of its products that promises a high protection power against sun rays, resistance to water and sweat and yet it is enriched with other components that guarantees skin renewal and prevention of ageing marks.
Its high SPF and PPD, combined with a more fluid texture, allows your skin to always remain protected. Which makes this product ideal for all kinds of use, whether daily or even when going to the beach or pool.
| Assets | Hyaluronic acid and royal jelly extract |
|---|---|
| Texture | Fluid |
| Skin Type | Oily |
| FPS | 50 |
| PPD | 17 |
| Volume | 50 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Airlicium Sunscreen
Perfect for all moments
This facial sunscreen spreads easily on the skin, offers a quick absorption and still comes with a mild perfume scent. Moreover, it is free of aggressive compounds to the skin such as parabens, petrolatum and silicone. All these advantages make this product the favorite of Brazilians.
Anthelios Airlicium from La Roche-Posay has silica and thermal water as active ingredients. These two compounds are perfect for those with oily or sensitive skin, since it absorbs excess oil and improves the appearance of the face.
This sunscreen is lightweight and water resistant, making it suitable for daily use as well as for beaches and pools. It also has a high sun protection factor that allows you to protect yourself for long periods of exposure to the sun.
| Assets | Silica and thermal water |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream-gel |
| Skin Type | All |
| FPS | 60 |
| PPD | 20 |
| Volume | 50 g |
| Cruelty-free | No |
Further information on face sunscreen products
A facial sunscreen needs to meet certain requirements so that you can always keep your skin protected and healthy. Therefore, it is important to be aware of all the information so that you do not falter when choosing your product. Here is some other information you need to know about sunscreens for the face!
How to use sunscreen for the face the right way?
There is no point in buying the best facial sunscreen if you do not apply it correctly to the face. This is an essential step that ensures the desired result of the product, the first tip is that you seek to apply the sunscreen in 3 layers, in this sense you should apply 1 time, let it dry and reapply.
By performing this process 3 times you will be making a triple layer of protection on the skin and ensuring that it will not easily come off your face. Remember that exposure to sweat, swimming in the sea or pool and even dirt can affect the lifespan of your protection.
So always try to repeat this procedure every 2 hours, so that you can prevent yourself in the right way. Another tip is for when you apply makeup over sunscreen, avoid spreading the product too tightly so that it does not remove its protective layer.
Why choose a specific sunscreen for the face?
Facial sunscreen is manufactured with a goal of protecting the face, because this region of our skin tends to be more exposed to the sun's rays. In addition, it also has a more sensitive dermis structure.
Therefore, there is a need to use different formulas to ensure not only protection from the sun's rays, but also problems such as excess oiliness, or clogged pores.
Can I use facial sunscreen on my body?
Nothing prevents you from using facial sunscreen on the body, besides of course that you will have more costs performing this process. Because, the facial sunscreen was thought for smaller regions of the skin and with high exposure, which makes your product more concentrated and with a different absorption of sunscreens for the body.
Imported or domestic sunscreens: which one to choose?
There are several brands available in the market, it is generally believed that imported brands have a better quality because they are manufactured by larger companies and with a greater market history. This is true and many imported products can even do better than the Brazilian ones.
But, the national brands have demonstrated great results, mainly because they are produced exclusively for the Brazilian public, which allows their products to have a better adaptability to the skin and a better resistance to the sun rays of the region. Therefore, it is worth testing the national products as well.
Choose the best sunscreen to care for your face!
Now you know all the criteria that will ensure your face is protected against the harmful effects of the sun's rays. It's important to remember these details when choosing your product, so you can find the facial sunscreen that best suits your skin.
Do not stop protecting yourself, this is the time to preserve your healthy skin and prevent premature aging. For this, always use our tips in your favor and follow our ranking of the 10 best sunscreens for the face of 2022, so you will have the guarantee that you chose the best product for you!
