14 Men's Moisturisers with SPF for UV Protection All Year Round
British summer has a reputation for being… shall we say, temperamental? But recent form suggests otherwise. In 2022, temperatures peaked at a record-breaking 40.3°C in the UK, and all predictions point to more of the same in years to come. But despite the changing climate, attitudes towards skin health are slow to change. We still think that sun on home soil is to be worshipped. What harm can it do? This is only Britain, after all. Well, the answer is lots of harm.
The British Skin Foundation reports that there are at least 100,000 new cases of skin cancer every year, killing more than 2,500 people, with men in particular being affected. Cancer Research UK reported last year that since 1973, death rates from melanoma have increased by 219% in men, compared with a 76% rise among women. And while cancer is the main concern of sun damage, it's also the leading cause of skin ageing. In fact, the World Health Organisation attributes nearly 90% of all visible ageing to sun exposure.
A simple way to protect your skin, however, be found on your basin, as a new class of facial moisturiser brings powerful sun-protection factor (SPF), as well as anti-ageing properties, to your daily regimen. Here's a round-up of some of our favourite men's moisturisers with SPF, plus some top skincare tips from a leading skin cancer expert.
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Will Wearing SPF Prevent Ageing?
'Yes, wearing an SPF will help protect your skin from the signs of ageing,' says Dr Paul Banwell, former head and founder of The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit in East Grinstead, one of the largest skin cancer units in the UK, and current head of The Banwell Clinic. 'SPF is the single biggest anti-ageing manoeuvre you can do.'
What to Look for When Buying SPF Moisturisers
That's settled then – it's time to stock up on SPF. So what should you look for? 'The minimum factor I would recommend is SPF 30,' says Banwell. 'The NHS recommends an SPF of at least 30 to protect yourself. Personally, I would use SPF 50. I also recommend using shade, protective clothing, a hat and staying out of the midday sun.'
He also recommends to take a close look at the packaging, which should have 'UVA' in a circle to show that it meets testing standards, and to also check the expiry date.
In terms of ingredients to avoid, Banwell recommends the following: 'Oxybenzone is an ingredient to avoid as it is easily absorbed by the skin and enters the bloodstream. It can disrupt your hormones as well as causing terrible harm to the environment.
'I would also avoid Octinoxate, which is harmful to coral reefs and can cause skin allergies, as well as Avobenzone, which can cause high levels of irritation. You also need to avoid Retinyl Palmitate, which does not mix well with the sun. When mixed with the sun, it can be potentially cancerous.'
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SPF Moisturisers vs Sunscreen
According to Banwell, wearing an SPF in your moisturiser is 'better than no protection at all, but it will not offer the same level of protection as sunscreen'. For the most effective protection from the sun, 'I advise that you need to apply sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin as much as possible,' he adds.
So, if skin protection is your main concern, nothing beats a good quality, high-factor suncream, applied generously. The following products are first and foremost moisturisers, but all also have an SPF rating to help protect the skin from UV damage and help keep it looking younger for longer. Here's a few of our favourites.
14 SPF Moisturisers for Men
Mattifying Face Moisturiser SPF30
Horace is the grooming expert every guy should know. From bodycare to haircare, the entire range is formulated with men in mind – including this moisturiser. It's infused with mattifying silica which combats excess sebum, while the lightweight fluid format is easily absorbed, all without compromising the protective SPF credentials.
Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid Non-Perfumed Suncream SPF50+ 50ml
Though La Roche-Posay offers a large range of skincare, the dermatologist-recommended brand is best known for SPF. From the high protection to the easily-absorbed fluid, it's a real crowd-pleaser. It even works for sensitive skin.
Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30
Medik8's Advanced Day Total Protect hones in on the brief. It offers five-star UVA and SPF 30 protection, while antioxidants and anti-pollution ingredients combine to help prevent the visible signs of ageing and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
SPF 50 Photodamage Defence Sunscreen
Dermatica is an online dermatology expert which can personalise a formula based on your specific skin concerns, whether it's dark spots, pigmentation, scarring, uneven complexion or acne. You're meant to use it every night and see results after just six weeks.
Beyond thart, you can also buy the brand's off-the-rack skincare products, too. One of our favourites is the SPF which is combined with ulta-nourishing vitamin E and hydrating glycerin – and it's also streak-free and leaves no residue behind.
Super Multi-Corrective Cream SPF 30
Suitable for all skin types, Kieh's Super Multi-Corrective Cream SPF 30 boasts a 5-in-1 formula said to help lift, firm, smooth, re-texturise and moisturise skin. It also has a broad spectrum SPF 30 rating, designed to work to protect your skin from sun damage and prevent early signs of ageing.
AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50
Suitable for normal to dry skin types, this broad spectrum daily SPF 50 moisturising lotion from CeraVe is designed to deliver long-lasting UVB and UVA protection and to keep your skin hydrated. It contains a blend of three ceramides (fats that naturally occur in skin) said to help lock in moisture and keep your skin looking soft and smooth, as well as niacinamide and vitamin E, which are said to balance your skin's complexion and create an even-looking skin tone. It has a non-greasy feel, it's easy to apply and has a mild smell. For intense or prolonged sun exposure, CeraVe recommends applying a high factor sunscreen on top.
Dawn to Dusk SPF50+ Serum 50ml
Unlike many of the products in this list, Alpha-H's SPF is more of a serum than a moisturiser. It's infused with niacinamide which combats redness as well as nourishing aloe vera – and it's surprisingly light considering the SPF50+ level of protection. Great for guys who want a bright, healthy-looking finish.
Nourishing SPF 30 Moisturiser
Applying SPF should be the final step in any skincare routine, but if you're not careful, choosing the wrong products for your skin type can lead to blocked pores and breakouts. This non-comedogenic SPF moisturiser from NIP + FAB is specifically formulated to avoid just that, while both protecting the skin from UVA and UVB rays and retaining moisture throughout the day thanks to the addition of hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Vitamin C Ester Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Moisturiser
This oil-free moisturiser is designed to defend your skin against environmental damage, such as the kind caused by air pollution, while protecting you from the sun’s rays. It's lightweight in texture and leaves your skin feeling noticeably softer, without leaving a greasy residue.
Daily Defence Oil-free SPF 50 Sunscreen
Men's skin tends to produce more sebum than women's so it's best to avoid a greasy SPF. Enter: Skin + Me's sunscreen. Not only is it oil free, but it's also powered by niacinimide which regulates oil production and vitamin E which hydrates and helps with fine lines, all the while providing SPF50+ protection.
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30 Anti-wrinkle Day Cream
With its extensive UVA and UVB protection and its carefully chosen key ingredients (padina pavonica and ginkgo biloba, among others), this cream promises to smooth, firm and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in 14 days.
Daily Face Protect SPF 50
This daily face moisturiser from The Grey packs SPF 50 for shielding your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, while doubling as a daily hydrating cream thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, which helps prevent moisture loss throughout the day and keep your skin hydrated.
Protective Facial Lotion SPF 25
Lightweight and quick-absorbing, Aesop's matte-feel Protective Facial Lotion SPF 25 protects against both UVA and UVB, while simultaneously working to hydrate your skin skin thanks to a combination of green tea, provitamin B5, and vitamin E.
Age-Balancing Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Marketed as an anti-ageing cream, Murad's Age-Balancing Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 claims to hydrate the skin and keep the user’s complexion smooth and free from redness, which may be particularly useful after shaving. It’s designed to clear pores of environmental impurities, as well as protect the skin from damaging sun rays.
Why You Should Wear SPF Even If It’s Overcast
'I would always advise people to wear SPF no matter what the weather,' says Dr Branwell. 'We are still at risk from skin cancer, even when it’s cold or overcast as UV rays can damage our skin.
'UVA rays remain constant throughout the year and can get through clouds and fog. Skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the UK and 16,000 cases are now diagnosed each year. While UVB is the main culprit, UVA is an issue throughout the year and there is evidence that infrared also contributes to skin cancer.
'The weather outside certainly shouldn’t give us the impression we are protected from the sun.'
UVA and UVB, Explained
Both UVA and UVB rays are responsible for causing skin damage, but they're slightly different. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVB rays 'penetrate and damage the outermost layers of your skin – overexposure causes suntan, sunburn and, in severe cases, blistering'. Whereas UVA rays, 'while slightly less intense than UVB, penetrate your skin more deeply. Exposure causes genetic damage to cells on the innermost part of your top layer of skin, where most skin cancers occur.'
Dr Banwell explains how both impact the appearance of skin: 'Exposure to both UVA and UVB rays will make the skin less elastic over time,' he says. 'The skin can become leathery, wrinkled or thinner. It can also lead to dark spots. The sun can dry out skin and deplete levels of essential fatty acids, leaving it looking dry and flaky.'
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