Sustainable SPFs You Need This Summer

Eleanor Pritchard

Protecting ourselves from the sun is no-brainer, but there is no doubt that we often find ourselves in shops looking for what might be the cheapest lotion to slather on. Which?’s recent study on the best sun creams to buy in 2024 pushed us to re-evaluate where we buy our SPF from this summer, but that is not without first taking the brand’s sustainability into account.

But first, what does SPF, UVA and UVB stand for? Terms thrown around when discussing sun protection, despite not being totally familiar with why they’re so key in the creams we use. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) measures the level of protection a sunscreen provides against UVB radiation. It indicates how much longer skin covered with the sunscreen can be exposed to UVB rays before reddening, compared to unprotected skin.

UVA (ultraviolet A) rays are a type of ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can cause premature ageing of the skin. Both UVA and UVB rays are linked to an increased risk of skin cancer.

UVB (ultraviolet B) rays, also from the sun, are the primary cause of sunburn. UVB rays have a shorter wavelength than UVA rays.

Putting this all to the test, here at SI we’ve compiled a list of our favourite sustainable SPFs for Summer 2024, and facial creams that we ought to be using all year round:

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Green People Edelweiss Sun Cream

Known for organic beauty and skincare, Green People offers a sun cream for sensitive skin. Although 15 provides lesser coverage than other sustainable SPFs in this post, Green People are committed to providing reef-safe coverage. With absolutely no Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, it is an ocean-friendly sun screen perfectly safe to use in the sea. They also offer the same sun cream in SPF 30.

JURLIQUE UV Defence Daily Lotion SPF 50+

Jurlique’s SPF is the multi-tasking hero sunscreen. It layers beautifully, leaves no colour and can act as a non-greasy, non-sticky primer under makeup – perfect for those no-makeup makeup days. Offering a spectrum of protection against both UVA and UVB rays, it utilises powerful chemical filters to absorb UV radiation, preventing it from harming the skin.

Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+

This lightweight, silky SPF is an essential in your skin routine. If you’re looking for a sun protector that hydrates, primes, and shields your skin, the Supreme Screen Hydrating Skinscreen SPF50+ (50ml) is the perfect choice. It is totally fragrance-free too, so perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Pai Skincare British Summer Time Sensitive Sunscreen

Not only is this SPF perfect for those with sensitive skin, the reef-friendly ingredients also work to protect against blue light and infra-red damage. The broad UVA/UVB protection and its mineral formula are just a further components as to why we love this daily sunscreen so much.

Evolve Organic Beauty Climate Defence Facial Cream

Evolve Organic Beauty’s Climate Defence Facial Cream offers SPF 30 protection with a non-nano Zinc Oxide formula that is safe for reefs and provides comprehensive UVA and UVB coverage without any tint.

Infused with lingonberry stem cells, it shields the skin from harmful sun radiation and free radicals, while also enhancing skin texture. It may just be the perfect face cream we’ve found that protects and provides essential skin benefits.

Antipodes Supernatural SPF50+ Ceramide Silk Facial Sunscreen

We were so excited at SI to discover this plastic free sustainable sunscreen from Antipodes. This 100% natural-origin zinc sunscreen for the face offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB SPF50+ protection. Zinc oxide effectively blocks UVA and UVB rays, is reef-safe, and gentle on sensitive skin. We couldn’t think of a better facial sunscreen for year round protection.

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