17 of the best sunscreens for summer that do more than protect your skin

Best for: City dwellers seeking glow, defence and zero greasiness.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen (Unscented) SPF 50+ PA++++

Built around fermented black rice (a rich antioxidant) and niacinamide, this unscented sunscreen offers quiet, calming care in a silky, cloud-light base. It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free and made for skin that flinches at the wrong product. The finish is undetectable.

Best for: Reactive, dry or dull skin that needs hydration without perfume or filler.

Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen SPF 50

Powered by the brand’s cult TFC8® complex, amino acids, peptides and a PhD-level understanding of skin healing, this luxe SPF helps repair damage while it protects. The texture is satin-smooth, the formula is fragrance-free, and the long-term payoff is visibly stronger, more resilient skin.

Best for: Mature, post-treatment or barrier-compromised skin looking for sunscreen with real skin science behind it.

Axis-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

This zinc-based mineral sunscreen is the opposite of chalky or cloying. With calming mugwort, niacinamide and squalane, it targets sensitivity and oil imbalance while sitting weightlessly on the skin.

Best for: Acne-prone, sensitive or combination skin that reacts to everything else.

Lancôme UV Expert Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA++++

A triple-threat in a featherlight gel, this sunscreen moonlights as a hydrating primer and pollution shield. Glycerin and Edelweiss smooth skin, while the refreshing texture disappears on contact. Bonus: it subtly blurs the skin, so you get the UV armour, plus a soft-focus finish.

Best for: Skin that wears SPF under makeup, and demands more than just sun protection.

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense Aqua UV Gel SPF 50 PA++++

This gel-cream is a fortifying forcefield. With antioxidants like green tea, ferulic acid, vitamin C and E, it’s built to protect from more than just the sun but also smog, blue light and daily wear-and-tear. It hydrates for up to 8 hours and sinks in like skincare, not SPF.

Best for: Normal to dry skin showing early signs of stress or fatigue, or anyone serious about preventive ageing.

Dr Sheth’s Ceramide & Vitamin C Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++

Created with Indian skin tones and tropical climates in mind, this creamy SPF blends a stable vitamin C derivative with ceramides to brighten, soothe and strengthen in equal measure. It layers easily under makeup and doesn’t sting on sensitised skin

Best for: Dull, uneven, city-stressed skin that needs both luminosity and repair.

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Soothing Sun Cream

This hybrid sunscreen combines physical and chemical filters to deliver effective UV protection. Enriched with centella asiatica extract, ceramides, and green tea, it calms irritation and reinforces the skin barrier. The lightweight, lotion-like texture absorbs smoothly without leaving a white cast, making it suitable for daily use.

Best for: Sensitive or dry skin types seeking gentle sun protection with added moisturising benefits.

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