If you’ve heard of SPF sprays, you’ve probably encountered their contentious reputation. Adored by some and avoided by others, it’s hard to know who, and what, to believe. To get to the bottom of this, we spoke to the experts and put a bunch of popular formulas to the test.
You know you need to wear SPF every day, but did you know you’re supposed to top it up every two hours? So, yes, the fancy sunscreen that you use at the end of your skincare routine is great, but it’s rendered pretty useless soon after. This is where SPF sprays come in – they’re easy to apply on-the-go throughout the day, over makeup and otherwise.
The expert opinion
When chatting exclusively with skin expert Ashley Wady, Managing Director at BOSSFACE Cosmeceuticals and SQT Bio Microneedling, she told us, “When makeup is applied, it’s much easier to use a spray top-up rather than removing makeup and applying again with a cream, or attempting to put a thick cream over your makeup”. She added, “Sprays are much easier to apply on your body too, especially when holidaying alone – you need to get those hard-to-reach areas!”
But “reapplying is vital” she explained, and sprays alone are not sufficient. “To get the correct amount of coverage from an SPF we need to ensure we are using at least two full finger-lengths of product spread across the face. Most people barely use this amount of topical sunscreen as it is, therefore sunscreen sprays, tints and powders should only be used as top-ups throughout the day and not as your main source of UV protection. The effectiveness is usually a lot less potent in spray form, which means you are more susceptible to damage from harmful UV rays without that initial cream application.”
So whilst SPF sprays alone aren’t enough alone, if added to a routine that already has SPF in it, you’re golden. Applying a spray is always better than not reapplying at all, and having a spray to hand might even encourage you to remember to reapply throughout the day – just keep one on your desk and one in your bag, ready to spritz whenever you need. Plus, sprays and mists are so easy to apply – they don’t call for any sticky fingers or rubbing in.
To help you on your way to sun protection perfection, we’ve rounded up a few of our fave formulas below…
THE FUN ONE
If you’re a sucker for fun and pretty packaging, this one’s for you. The perfect addition to your beach-day TikTok/Reel, Bask’s SPF 30 Non-Aerosol Sunscreen Spray “feels like pure sunshine” and “applies like a breeze”, and it has five-star reviews to prove it. It smells like a piña colada (yes please!), is safe for sensitive skin, won’t leave a white cast, won’t stain your clothes and is reef-safe. Dreamy. We UAE-based sun worshippers can grab it from Urban Outfitters, but the brand’s own website is very aesthetically pleasing, should you fancy a look.
Shop HERE.
The MATTIFYING one
Worried about looking oily? Say no more. The Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF50 Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray uses light-diffusing silicone powder to mattify and blur the look of imperfections, all while imbuing skin with a hydrating shot of hyaluronic acid.
Shop HERE.
THE ONE FOR CITY LIVING
Well-known within the suncare space for their hardworking and extensive arsenal of sun solutions, Hello Sunday is the brand to trust if you’re feeling overwhelmed. The Retouch One is their lightweight mist offering, which gives SPF 30 protection whilst also fending off the likes of infrared rays, pollution and blue light.
Shop HERE.
