10 Best Winter Sunscreens UK 2024 | Piz Buin, Neutrogena and More
This article is here to get you prepared, whether to provide a barrier for frosty walks or to slather on during winter sports. We list ten bestsellers from top brands such as Origins, Piz Buin and Neutrogena, easily ordered from Boots, John Lewis, and Amazon. And with formulas for the face and body, for combination skin to oily, sensitive, and even for dry skin alike, you're sure to find your new everyday winter season skincare staple.
Quick List - Top Winter Sunscreens
FLOSLEK
Top Choice for All Skin Types Specifically Formulated to Protect During Winter
Altruist
A Hypoallergenic Option Suitable for Acne-Prone Skin and Recommended by Dermatologists
Garnier
A Winter Sunscreen Bursting With Moisturising Ingredients, Perfect for Snow Sports
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
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With Specialist Consultation From Dermatologist Felipe Partarrieu
Felipe Partarrieu is a final-year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skincare, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
The Benefits of Wearing Sunscreen in the Winter and Why You Should Wear It
Harmful UV rays are still present even in the depths of winter, and although cloud coverage lessens the likelihood of sunburn, you need to be vigilant. UV rays do more than just cause painful burns; they penetrate the skin causing damage on a microscopic level that, over time, leads to unwanted skin changes and premature ageing.
What's even more concerning is that prolonged exposure to UV radiation can eventually develop certain skin cancers and melanomas. It's essential to continue with regular sunscreen application during winter to create a deflective barrier between UV rays and your skin, even on cloudy days.
Sunscreen should be worn 365 days per year, no matter the weather or latitude. Moreover, snow and winter sports expose us to more UV radiation, increasing the chances of sunburn and long-term solar damage. Even though the cloudiness of winter lessens the likelihood of sunburn, UV radiation still penetrates through and reaches your skin.
How to Choose a Winter Sunscreen in the UK
- Pick a Sunscreen That Contains Both UVA and UVB Protection
- Choose a Sunscreen With a High SPF of 30 or Above
- Match the Ingredients in Your Sunscreen to Your Skin Type
- Opt for a 2-In-1 Sunscreen and Lip Balm for Full Protection
Pick a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen That Contains Both UVA and UVB Protection
Ensure Your Sunscreen Has UVA Protection to Block Rays That Penetrate Deeply Into the Skin
Even if you are not concerned with beauty, you should be aware of these rays when it comes to health. UV radiation has been proven to cause basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, two of the most common forms of skin cancer.
While the overall strength of UV fluctuates throughout the year, the percentage of UVA stays largely the same regardless of the season. These rays penetrate exposed skin and permeate the fabric of your clothing and glass, making you susceptible to their effects even indoors on cold and cloudy days!
UVA radiation represents 95% of the total UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface, and it's the primary type of light used in tanning beds.
Due to its longer wavelength, it has slightly less energy than UVB radiation, but it's able to reach the deeper layers of the skin where it exerts its effects: DNA damage, loss of elastic fibres and inflammation, all of which lead to wrinkling and premature ageing (remember ageing = UVA). UVA radiation is also proven to contribute to developing some forms of skin cancer.
Protect Your Skin From Rays That Are Amplified by Snow by Opting for a Sunscreen That Safeguards Against UBV
UVB or 'short wave' rays don’t penetrate the skin as deeply as UVA. Significantly lessened during the winter months, they aren’t strong enough to pass through glass or heavy cloud coverage. However, that is not to say they aren’t of concern during the winter.
UVB rays are the ones that cause redness and burning. Sunburn is much more than a painful nuisance that can ruin your holiday: it plays a significant role in developing melanoma. Melanomas can spread rapidly throughout the body, making them the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
This may come as bad news to skiers, but it’s much easier to suffer sunburn on the slopes than on the beach. This is because snow and ice reflect sunlight and UV rays, putting you at greater risk. Plus, in the mountains, the higher the altitude, the more amplified UV rays become, growing in intensity up to 12% per 1,000 meters!
UVB radiation only represents 5% of all the UV radiation that reaches us, but it is responsible for sun-induced redness and burns (Remember Burns = UVB), and it's linked to the development of some skin cancers.
Although UVB radiation is at its weakest during the winter and doesn't readily penetrate through glass or clouds, it is still capable of causing sunburn at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice (snow reflects up to 80% of UV radiation), all of which happens more often during the winter.
Choose a Sunscreen With a High SPF of 30 or Above to Provide Yourself With a Minimum of 97% Protection
As you probably know, SPF is the measure of protection a particular sunscreen has against UVB rays. The factor number relates to the percentage of UVB rays (measured in photons) which are blocked by the sunscreen.
Most dermatologists recommend sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above during the winter. Factor 30 sunscreen gives around 97% protection from UVB rays. If you're particularly pale or sun-sensitive and want the best protection possible, you could pick a factor 50, which blocks an impressive 98% of rays.
A higher sun protection factor (SPF) will provide more protection, but remember that no sunscreen is 100% effective at blocking out UV rays. Most dermatology societies around the world recommend using a sunscreen that’s 30 SPF or higher, no matter the skin tone, time of the year or latitude.
Match the Ingredients in Your Sunscreen to Your Skin Type: Aloe Vera Is Great for Dry Skin, but Squalene Is Best for Oily Skin
Using a sunscreen with moisturising properties will help you avoid dry, flaking skin without needing to use multiple products. Not only will this save you time and money, but slathering fewer creams on your face can prevent clogged pores from product buildup.
For those with oily skin, making sure that your moisturiser isn't overly moisturising is key to keeping your sunscreen effective in blocking harmful rays. Instead of looking for a sunscreen with a lot of ingredients, opt for fewer and look out for formulas that include glycerin or squalane.
There's nothing better than a nice face mask at the end of a cold winter's day. It will do wonders for hydrating your skin after being exposed to the elements!
Given when the lower air humidity level is present in winter, the water in your skin evaporates more quickly, making your skin feel dry and tight. It's important to distinguish a moisturising sunscreen from a moisturiser with sunscreen agents.
You should always prefer the former because the SPF effectiveness of the latter will always be lower and might not offer enough protection. Some ingredients to look for are hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin B5.
Protect Your Entire Face by Opting for a 2-In-1 Sunscreen and Lip Balm
Some sunscreen products designed specifically for winter sports contain an SPF lip balm built into the tube, so you’ll have no excuse to not protect those lips from the sun wherever you are.
Make sure you're also stocked with a decent hand cream for the winter too!
Most people forget about the lips when they think about good sun protection habits. Unlike the rest of the body, lips have no ability to produce a protective suntan and also have a thinner epithelium (outermost layer), making them prone to burning.
Over time, this can lead to a loss in volume, discolouration, wrinkling and even cancer. Therefore, it's of the utmost importance to choose a proper lip balm that both moisturises and offers high UV protection.
10 Best Winter Sunscreens in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FLOSLEK Winter Sun Cream | | Top Choice for All Skin Types Specifically Formulated to Protect During Winter | |
2 | Piz Buin Mountain Face Sunscreen | | The Best Sunscreen for Snow and Winter Sports That Won't Rub Off | |
3 | Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen｜Pack of 2 | | A Hypoallergenic Option Suitable for Acne-Prone Skin and Recommended by Dermatologists | |
4 | Garnier UV Ski Sun Cream | | A Winter Sunscreen Bursting With Moisturising Ingredients, Perfect for Snow Sports | |
5 | Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Moisturiser | | A 2-in-1 Sunscreen and Tinted Moisturiser to Wake Up Dull Winter Skin | |
6 | Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Sunscreen | | Protects 6 Layers of Skin Making It the Best Choice for Tackling Anti-ageing | |
7 | Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion | | A Coconut-Scented Sunscreen That Moisturises Your Skin for up to 12 Hours | |
8 | Garnier Ultra-Hydrating Sun Protection Cream | | A Rich and Moisturising Milk for the Body and Face, Great for Boosting Hydration | |
9 | Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream | | A Unique Sunscreen Formulated With a Barrier to Protect Against Cold and Windy Weather | |
10 | EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF | | Infused With Vitamin E and Squalane to Increase Skin Hydration and Moisturise Winter Skin |
Top Choice for All Skin Types Specifically Formulated to Protect During Winter
This winter sun cream offers full UVA and UVB protection and contains vitamin E, glycerin and shea butter to soothe any dry skin caused by the cold as well as locking in extra moisture. For winter protection, this is as good as it gets.
The Best Sunscreen for Snow and Winter Sports That Won't Rub Off
This sunscreen contains three key ingredients to protect your skin in the winter: shea butter to nourish and moisturise, trehalose to protect from bitter winds and cold temperatures, and edelweiss extract to combat the effects of UV radiation by helping neutralise free radicals generated in the skin—an expert pick for winter sports lovers.
A Hypoallergenic Option Suitable for Acne-Prone Skin and Recommended by Dermatologists
Altruist Dermatologist sunscreen contains a broad range of photostable UV filters to ensure maximum protection against the sun’s rays. This makes it highly suitable for snowy climates and high altitudes where UV rays are amplified. With such an affordable price tag, you really do get a lot of bang for your buck!
A Winter Sunscreen Bursting With Moisturising Ingredients, Perfect for Snow Sports
An excellent choice for family ski trips, the lightweight 30 ml tube is perfect for popping in your jacket and is safe to use on both children and adults with any skin type. As the product is completely unscented, it's also suitable for those with sensitive skin. Plus, it's really cheap!
Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Moisturiser
A 2-in-1 Sunscreen and Tinted Moisturiser to Wake Up Dull Winter Skin
This star product combines a mineral-based sunscreen with a sheer tinted moisturiser to protect whilst giving a healthy glow to the skin, even in the sun’s absence! Suitable for year-round use, this will fit seamlessly into your daily skincare regime, making it a great way to ease into the habit of applying sunscreen in winter.
Protects 6 Layers of Skin Making It the Best Choice for Tackling Anti-ageing
The oil-free formulation has a non-greasy texture suitable for all skin types and applies more like a moisturising lotion than a regular sunscreen. It contains Neutrogena’s Helioplex technology, a formula containing organic compounds that work together to absorb the full spectrum of UV rays and limit UV degradation. This is a reliable pick to keep your skin safeguarded this winter.
A Coconut-Scented Sunscreen That Moisturises Your Skin for up to 12 Hours
Its formula is great, too: silk protein is used to hydrate and moisturise for up to 12 hours, so you can say goodbye to dry, itchy winter skin. It's also light and non-greasy and sits comfortably on the skin without build-up and without leaving any white residue. Best of all, this top-rated sunscreen is easy on the wallet too.
A Rich and Moisturising Milk for the Body and Face, Great for Boosting Hydration
The dermatologically-tested formula includes Mexoryl XL, an organic compound known for its excellent photostability and ability to filter out UVA rays, and with an SPF of 30, this sunscreen is more than adequate. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much in the way of adding a protective barrier against the cold.
A Unique Sunscreen Formulated With a Barrier to Protect Against Cold and Windy Weather
In at number 9, we have a face cream from Shiseido. The product is really lightweight and, with its significant moisturising properties, can replace your moisturiser in your morning skincare routine.
What really makes this product stand out, though, is its occlusive finish. This unique formula has been specially created to act as a barrier to protect your skin from cold temperatures and windy weather. However, it is a little expensive and lacking somewhat in terms of reviews.
Infused With Vitamin E and Squalane to Increase Skin Hydration and Moisturise Winter Skin
If you're looking for a formula that works for sports, this is it. Come rain, shine, snow or sweat, once it's on, it won't budge! It's also suitable for the entire body, but at this price, it will become more than a little expensive if you're applying it head to toe!
Tips for Applying Sunscreen in Winter
Throughout the day, sunscreen loses its efficacy, which can be for various reasons such as rubbing off from touch or perspiration and UV degradation. You should aim to re-apply regularly at 2-hour intervals during daylight hours for sustained coverage.
In the winter you should apply sunscreen most thoroughly to areas of exposed skin such as the face, hands and neck. Take care when rubbing in to ensure even coverage without gaps, and use gentle pressure when applying to the sensitive skin around the eyes.
Written and researched by Wrenn Mann
Top 5 Winter Sunscreens
No. 1: FLOSLEK｜Winter Sun Cream
No. 2: Piz Buin｜Mountain Face Sunscreen
No. 3: Altruist｜Dermatologist Sunscreen｜Pack of 2
No. 4: Garnier｜UV Ski Sun Cream
No. 5: Origins ｜GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Moisturiser
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.