10 best sunscreens for face, why you need them for winter too and how they can help with oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin, and wrinkles

Sun damage is accumulative – just five minutes of unprotected exposure a day can break down tissue and cause wrinkles as well as skin cancer, says a skin expert

Using sunscreen is essential, even during winter. From sticks to sprays, here are 10 of the best SPF products for any budget, skin condition and skin tone

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Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can forego sunscreen. “Sun damage is cumulative,” says one expert. “Five minutes every day will cause sun damage.” Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:15am, 19 Dec 2021

Summer may be in the rear-view mirror, but that doesn’t mean the risks of sun exposure are as well.

“We know that sun damage is cumulative,” warns board-certified dermatologist Dr Debra Jaliman, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York, and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. “Five minutes every day will cause sun damage, breakdown of your collagen and elastic tissue, and will cause wrinkles as well as skin cancer.”

The solution lies in today’s more advanced formulas that not only offer superior sun protection but also tackle multiple issues such as acne, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. And with a crop of brands created for people of colour with deeper skin tones, sun care is now more inclusive.

“I am excited to start seeing new trends and innovations in the sun protection category such as more physical sunscreens, more antioxidant ingredients, probiotics, blue light protection and cleaner, more sustainable formulas,” says Rachel Roff, founder of Urban Skin Rx, a brand that caters to diverse skin tones.

We tested over 70 multi-benefit sun protectors on fair to deep, melanin-rich complexions. These were the sheer, chalk-free winners.

Sunscreen sticks

The Oars + Alps Go Stick Clear Sunscreen and the Coola Classic Sunscreen Stick.