Kick-Ass SPF50 Sunscreens For Annoying Skin

SPF50 + fake tan + Spain = enormous compulsion to WERK

You wouldn't know it to look at my pink and white battenberg cake of a face, but I used to tan like an absolute bastard. I love that outdoorsy feeling of being bronzed. Years ago, in an attempt to stay more Nicole Kidman and less battered handbag, I stopped sunbathing and started wearing SPF50, and now the only time I colour is when I fork out for a spray tan or cover myself in the utterly foolproof glory that is St Tropez bronzing mousse. 

Sunscreen for people with sensitive or oily skins is a complete headache. So many make you either break out or look like you've covered yourself in a light coating of Dulux. For something which is supposed to be keeping you healthy, and encouraging regular use this is not good.

Here are a few that I really do rate. And one that I don't really, but threw in because why not? All these sunscreens are available in lower factors and for different skin types, so have an explore and see what you get on best with.

I'm addicted to Sali Hughes' beauty columns in the Guardian, and while she errs towards products for dry skin, this was recommended for oily skins. Sunsense is an Aussie company, so know their onions when it comes to skin protection. I've been using this for the last year, both as a daily moisturiser and when I go running, and while it's definitely not matte - you'll need powder for your T-zone if you're that way of face - it's got quite a nice sort of golden sheen to it. No break-outs, no white sheen, and it's rich enough that a small amount goes a long way. You can buy Sunsense daily face for £18.50 from John Lewis.

The Times recently ran an article about beauty editors' favourite sunscreens, and this bad boy from La Roche-Posay was one of the most-mentioned. Anthelios XL 50+ is great for sensitive and oily skins, and has magical French thermal waters in it - although, really, you can put two litres of magical French thermal waters in yourself for a quid from your nearest supermarket. You can get it from Boots for £16.50 (hi Advantage Card points), but if that sounds fairly reasonable for a high-end, incredibly well-researched product it is because the bottle is TINY. I mean, physically minute. Never has 50ml looked more like a dab of something you got on a beauty counter from a particularly grumpy assistant.

The problem I find with Anthelios XL 50+ is that it's quite milky, so you need to splash it on (which requires a bit of rubbing in to get rid of the white sheen). It also bobbles your make-up. And the worst thing is that because I'm aware of this being posh sunscreen, I go into "Arrgh! I own posh slap!" mode which basically means I hoard it like Smaug. This is not the point of sunscreen. You need to be able to slap it all over your face so your face doesn't go red and then turn into a handbag when you're 40. But if you are less of a Smaug than I, and can be trusted to use nice things properly, then have a go. They also do a version for dry and sensitive skins for £14.50.

Before you do go and spend a fortune on sunscreen, I am THRILLED to say that my absolute favourite sunscreen of the moment is half-price in Boots (£6.49 instead of £12.99). I bought this cream before I went to Devon a couple of weeks ago, and it hasn't left my face since. My skin feels supple, comfortable and looked after, as though I were using a really good moisturiser.

This is from Ambre Solaire's new sensitive advanced range, and while like the La Roche-Posay it comes in a mimsy 50ml tube, the texture is so different that I feel absolutely no compunction about throwing it all over my face with abandon.

The sensitive range also does a body spray, but I'm not interested in that. The absolute king of body sunscreen as far as I'm concerned is Ambre Solaire's Clear Protect SPF50. I moisturise my body quite enough, I don't want to be faffing around with rubbing in white cream when I'm out and about - and besides, sun in sand cream is one of the worst feelings ever.

This spray is a total legend. Just spray it on, give it a vague rub if you must and er, that's it. No marks, no fuss, no bits of beach sticking to you. It's £14.49 usually, but is £7.24 in Boots.

 Happy sunning!