Sun Protection Sorted: The Best Sunscreens for Every Body

Beauty

May 19

If there’s one thing more reckless than an unsupervised toddler with a tub of Sudocrem, it’s stepping outside without sunscreen.

Yes, we know — the temptation of a "just five minutes" sunbathe is real. But while the warm, golden glow may make you look like an off-duty Amalfi Coast goddess temporarily, the long-term reality is a little less Dolce Vita and a lot more dermatologist on speed dial.

“Good skin is 20% genetics, 80% SPF application.”

Sun exposure isn’t just about surface-level aesthetics (although we could wax lyrical about how UV rays sabotage your collagen faster than a bad breakup). It’s a silent skin saboteur, accelerating fine lines, pigmentation, sagging, and — most seriously — increasing your risk of skin cancers like melanoma. Every. Single. Day. Which is why sunscreen isn’t seasonal — it’s existential.

Thanks to Cult Beauty, together with Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Pharmacy, we know exactly how much sunscreen you really need — and it’s probably more than you think. If you're slicking on a polite smidge, you're doing it wrong. You need about two teaspoons per area to actually protect yourself (and no, that isn’t optional).

A cheat sheet to remember:

Face and neck –
two teaspoons
arms
one teaspoon each
legs
one teaspoon each
Chest and stomach
two teaspoons
Back and shoulders
two teaspoons

And for those asking, yes, technique matters too. Give your sunscreen a good shake first — formulas can separate like bad high school friendships. Apply it generously using the three-finger rule for the face (think: enough product stretched across three fingers), then tap it in softly, like you're handling the most expensive silk. No frantic rubbing. For the body, dot it across the skin evenly, then smooth it in gently — paying special attention to sneaky, easy-to-miss spots like the ears, backs of hands, and tops of feet. Finally? Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before stepping outside, so the magic has time to properly fuse with your skin.

In short: more is more, and early is everything.

Now, onto the real fun — the sunscreens worthy of your face, body, and endless holiday daydreams...