The best easy-to-use, everyday SPF sunscreens for busy mums
Slip, slop, slay …
In our beautiful country, applying sunscreen should be a daily occurrence, no matter the season. Obviously UV radiation is higher in summer, than in winter, but it is still present every day of the year. That’s why it’s drilled into us all from an early age just how important sunscreen is.
UV radiation here can be high even on cool and overcast days. This means you can’t rely on clear skies or high temperatures to let you know when it’s time to slip, slop, slap.
Not only can regular application help to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing, but it’s also super affordable and readily available in most supermarkets, pharmacies and beauty outlets.
IMPORTANT: Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and use hats, shade, clothing and even staying indoors at the highest UV periods. The closer to solar noon, usually between midday and 12.30pm, the higher the UV. Reapply products every two hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.
More and more, formulas for face sunscreens are becoming less sticky, less visible and definitely more inviting to use daily, even under makeup. We’ve rounded up our favourites in the gallery below.
2024’s top easy-to-use, everyday SPF sunscreens
- We Are Feel Good Inc. Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50, $34.95, Oz Hair and Beauty (here’s why)
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Tinted Facial Sunscreen SPF50+, $28.31, Amazon AU (here’s why)
- Skinstitut Face The Day SPF 50+, $56.00, Adore Beauty (here’s why)
The best easy-to-use, everyday SPF sunscreens 2024
1. We Are Feel Good Inc. Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50 50ml
from $34.95 at Oz Hair and Beauty
Best for daily use
We Are Feel Good Inc. Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50 50ml is a daily facial sunscreen that helps protect, restore, and hydrate your skin while providing broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection from the damaging effects of sunlight and environmental pollutants.
This sunscreen is free from PABAs, parabens, oxybenzone, and octinoxate, and is made with Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato Extract), Carnosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba), and Squalane to provide added benefits such as restoring and hydrating the skin.
Key features:
- Provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection from the damaging effects of sunlight and environmental pollutants.
- Restores and hydrates the skin with added Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato Extract), Carnosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba), and Squalane.
- Free from PABAs, parabens, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.
- Australian owned and made.
- Always read the label and follow directions for use.
Available at:
- $34.95 from Oz Hair and Beauty
- $34.95 from We Are Feel Good Inc.
- $34.95 from The Skincare Clinic
2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Tinted Facial Sunscreen SPF50+
from $28.31 at Amazon AU
Best for oily, acne-prone sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Tinted Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ is a very high UVA/UVB protection for the face, with broad spectrum SPF 50+ featuring a lightweight, mattifying texture. Contains a universal tinted finish. Formulated for oily, acne-prone sensitive skin, this light but mattifying cream is non-greasy and non-comedogenic, offering SPF50+ protection with an invisible finish. Contains Airlicium – an anti-sweat molecule that absorbs up to 150 times its volume in sebum, sweat and oil. Contains a universal tinted finish. Contains chemical and physical filtering system. Dermatologically tested with a hypoallergenic fragrance for sensitive skin.
Key features:
- Ideal for oily, acne-prone skin types. Specifically designed for sensitive skin prone to sun intolerance.
- This light but mattifying cream is non-greasy and non-comedogenic, offering SPF 50+ protection with an invisible finish.
- Contains Airlicium: an anti-sweat molecule that absorbs up to 150 times its volume in sebum, sweat and oil. Formulated with a chemical and physical filtering system. Also contains a universal tinted finish.
- Dermatologically tested for sensitive skin, Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Cream SPF 50+ is paraben free with a hypoallergenic fragrance.
- Anthelios Anti- Shine Dry Touch SPF 50+ features a light but mattifying formulation that absorbs easily and is non-greasy and non- comedogenic, with a universal tinted finish.
- Always read the label and follow directions for use.
Available at:
- $28.31 from Amazon AU
- $35.99 from Priceline
- $37.95 from Adore Beauty
3. Skinstitut Face The Day SPF 50+
from $56.00 at Adore Beauty
Best for everyday use
Designed for daily use, this Skinstitut Face The Day SPF 50+ sunscreen provides weightless protection, while helping to condition skin without the greasy after-feel. It dries quickly to a matte texture for an un-detectable finish. Both UV Absorbing (helping to prevent premature skin ageing, including wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation caused by sun exposure) and Blue Light Blocking (helping to protect against skin stress caused by digital pollution which can lead to free radical damage, and a visibly dull complexion), this lightweight vanilla scented face sunscreen has your back, day in day out.
Key features:
- SPF 50+ Sunscreen
- UV absorbing and Blue Light Blocking
- Oil-free
- Lotion
- Lightweight
- Matte finish
- For normal to oily skin
- Vanilla scent
- Suitable for use post-treatment (e.g. microdermabrasion)
- Free from parabens, sulphates, oil, alcohol, gluten, silicon and phthalate
- Always read the label and follow directions for use
Available at:
- $56.00 from Adore Beauty
- $56.00 from The Iconic
- $56.00 from Oz Hair and Beauty
4. Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF 50
from $74.00 at Adore Beauty
Best for skin that doesn’t like regular sunscreen
This powerful, SPF50 physical sunscreen provides effective broad-spectrum protection, helping to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Formulated without nanoparticles, it is light enough for everyday use and strong enough to defend against the visible signs of photoaging, without leaving a residue.
The advanced formula utilises zinc oxide to reflect the sun’s radiation away from the skin. Medik8 Physical Sunscreen does not induce heat within the skin or clog pores, making it a great choice for those prone to redness, sensitivity and blemishes. A must-have for skin that has been, or will be exposed to chemical peels and skin that hasn’t historically played nice with traditional chemical sunscreens.
Key features:
- Zinc-only formula
- Broad-spectrum SPF 50 physical sun protection
- Ultra-sheer, fast-absorbing formula
- Formulated without the use of nanoparticles
- Assists in preventing the look of premature skin ageing
- Advanced anti-glycation and anti-pollution technologies
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Vegan formula and cruelty-free
- Paraben, alcohol, phthalate and synthetic colour-free
- Always read the label and follow directions for use
Available at:
5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+
from $29.69 at Amazon AU
Best for under makeup
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ is a lightweight, invisible fluid that is non-greasy and non comedogenic, offering SPF 50+ protection. Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ is the new look, new formula version of the #1 sunscreen in Australian pharmacies* Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid SPF50+. Contains Thermal Spring Water for sensitive skin. Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ is dermatologically tested and fragrance free for sensitive skin. Packaged in a sleek and easy-to-use format, product wastage is reduced. This formula is respectful of marine life. For oily skin, please use Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch SPF 50+ for a matte, lightweight finish.
Key features:
- Non-stinging on the eyes
- Lightweight texture
- Non-comedogenic
- Fragrance-free
- Invisible finish suited to all skin colours
- Respectul of marine life
- Eco-tested
- Very high SPF50+ protection
- High UVA/UVB protection
- Suitable under makeup
- Always read the label and follow directions for use
Available at:
- $29.69 from Amazon AU
- $32.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $37.95 from Adore Beauty
Why you should wear sunscreen everyday
From sleepless nights and hormone surges to dehydration and limited time, your skin can sure take a hit during motherhood. As busy parents it can be hard to upkeep a regular skincare routine like we may have had in the days before babies.
Putting ourselves first is necessary for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our family and that includes taking some time of our busy days to look after ourselves and our skin.
Everyday sunscreen can help to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing, but it’s also super affordable and readily available.
A daily sunscreen is a no-brainer and is so important for many reasons including:
- Sunscreen offers protection against skin cancer in relation to sun exposure
- Sunscreen prevents premature aging in relation to sun exposure
- Sunscreen can help prevent melasma in relation to sun exposure
- Keeping your complexion even
- Sunscreen can help prevent the risk of inflammation of the skin from sunburn
- Sunscreen can reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation in relation to sun exposure
- Sunscreen can help protect against other skin damage in relation to sun exposure
