Best face sunscreen for all skin types and budgets 2020

Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen

You've probably seen this sunscreen somewhere on your Instagram feed. The Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen is a combination of a moisturiser, primer and SPF. It's formulated with Australian Kakadu plum, Pentavitin and Dragosine Plus. These work together to provide your skin with a cocktail of powerful antioxidants with anti-ageing properties and ultimate hydration. However, the texture is what really sold me. Once I apply it, it feels super lightweight on the skin. I don't look or feel oily, and my skin feels balanced and hydrated. The colour of the product has got a nude tint, meaning that there's no sign of a white cast. I also love that it comes in a squeezable tube because it's great for on the go. You can easily throw it into your handbag or beach bag without a worry. The Supreme Screen sunscreen is so good that it got its own review, which you can check out here.

• Adore Beauty rating: 4.7/5
• Price: $45
• Where to buy: Adore Beauty and Ultra Violette
• Skin type: Perfect if you have normal or dry skin

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50

Neutrogena carries an array of sunscreens, so you should be able to find one that suits your personal needs. Is there one that does it all? Yes, the Ultra Sheer Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50. It's formulated with Neutrogena's HELIOPLEX technology and this provides superior broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Hands down, one of my favourite things about this sunscreen is the texture. As the name suggests, it has a water-like consistency and applying it to the skin is effortless. It's great for everyday use and can easily be re-applied throughout the day if you're not wearing makeup. If you are wearing makeup, it layers invisibly and doesn't disrupt a thing. I love that it doesn't feel sticky or look shiny – and it's also non-comedogenic so it won't clog your pores.

• Priceline rating: 4/5
• Price: $20
• Where to buy: Priceline, Chemist Warehouse and iHerb.
• Skin type: Works great on most skin types

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 50 Superscreen

Mecca's To Save Face is one of the most luxurious feeling sunscreens I've ever used. When you apply this, your skin instantly feels hydrated and it's all thanks to the key ingredients. This lightweight sunscreen is formulated with hyaluronic acid, pomegranate extract and vitamin E. All of these seamlessly work together to provide your skin with hydration and a handful of antioxidants. The product doesn't leave you with a white cast either as it's got a luminous pink tint that I love. You can easily wear this sunscreen alone and under makeup. However, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, we do recommend staying cautious. Others I know who have also tried this sunscreen reported that their skin broke out – so it may be best to patch test first.

• MECCA rating: 4.7/5
• Price: $40
• Where to buy: MECCA
• Skin type: Best if you have a normal skin type, would not recommend if your skin is sensitive.

Bondi Sands Daily Moisturising Face SPF 50 sunscreen

The Bondi Sands sunscreen range is made for the Australian sun and provides you with the necessary UVA and UVB protection. I love the consistency of this water-resistant formula – it's not thick and oily, so it feels just like a normal moisturiser. And it just so happens to act like one too. It provides 72 hours of hydration, all thanks to the added aloe vera and vitamin E. If you're always on the go, this sunscreen is perfect for you. The formula is gentle and fast-absorbing, with an invisible finish. The Bondi Sands sunscreen is also free from any fragrances, which is great if your skin is sensitive.

• Price: $15
• Where to buy: Priceline and Chemist Warehouse.
• Skin type: Works great for most skin types

Cancer Council Face Day Wear Matte Moisturiser SPF 50+ Invisible

You can trust the sunscreen range from Cancer Council, and every purchase goes towards cancer research and services. The matte invisible moisturiser applies like an absolute dream. It's packed with a high SPF 50+, it's dermatologically tested and it's free from fragrances (so it's suitable for sensitive skin). One of my favourite things about this sunscreen is the formula. Not only is it lightweight and easy to apply, but it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy. My skin looks and feels incredibly hydrated and nourished. There's no sticky feeling left behind, it just feels like I'm applying another layer of moisturiser. This is most likely thanks to the inclusion of aloe vera and vitamin E as they both carry amazing moisturising properties.

• Priceline rating: 4/5
• Price: $15
• Where to buy: Priceline, Chemist Warehouse and Coles.
• Skin type: Works well on all skin types

Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 30 Mattifying

If you're after a moisturiser that doubles as a sunscreen, then this will be an absolute godsend. This two-in-one product offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 (free of nano-particles) and ultimate hydration. It's all thanks to the ingredients – vitamin E, shea butter, glycerine and sodium hyaluronate. But does it make you look oily? Not at all. One of the ingredients is silica, which contains a mattifier to absorb excess oil. Rather than that sticky feeling some sunscreens can leave behind, this feels just like a normal moisturiser. I love the lightweight texture. It's fast-absorbing, which means I can follow it up straight away with my makeup. Best of all, it's non-whitening, which means you don't end up looking like a ghost after you've applied it.

• Active Skin rating: 4/5
• Price: $84
• Where to buy: Ultraceuticals, Active Skin and David Jones.
• Skin type: Best suited for normal/oily skin types. The brand also offers a hydrating version, which is perfect for those with dry skin.

Carroten SPF 30 Matt Look Face Cream

The Carroten SPF 30 Matt Look face cream provides you with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. This SPF lasts throughout the day and also helps your skin look better than ever. The formula is enhanced with anti-shine technology, so you can stay looking matte. This combined with the unique and lightweight Hydra Velvet finish leaves your skin feeling matte yet hydrated all day long. The sunscreen is scented but I didn't find it overpowering. However, if your skin is sensitive to fragrances, we recommend test patching first. I also love that the sunscreen arrives in a small and travel-friendly bottle. You can easily take this on the go and always stay protected!

• Price: $9.69
• Where to buy: Chemist Warehouse
• Skin type: Most skin types, except if you're sensitive to fragrances

Go-To Skincare Zincredible

Description
Go-To Skincare's Zincredible is a daily protective moisturiser, formulated with essential fatty acids, botanical oils and antioxidants. These work together to ensure your skin is not only protected, but also hydrated and nourished. In particular, I love that you don't get that annoying sticky feeling. You can easily use this as a primer because of how beautifully it sits underneath makeup. The Zincredible is a physical sunscreen, meaning that the sun's rays will literally bounce off your skin, providing you with more resistant protection. Is there a downside? The SPF 15 is a little low for my liking. However, the formula is beautiful so I would either wear this if I'm at the office or at home all day. If you really want to wear it outside, it's easy to layer another sunscreen on top.

• MECCA rating: 3.8/5
• Price: $45
• Where to buy: MECCA and Go-To skincare
• Skin type: Works well on all skin types

Hawaiian Tropic Duo Defence Face Sunscreen

Hawaiian Tropic's Duo Defence range is a newer option on the market, but it still ticks all the boxes. This oil-free lotion moisturises and feels silky smooth on the skin. There's no gross greasy feeling either. I love that it doesn't disrupt my makeup, and it's dermatologically tested, so it won't clog your pores. The Duo Defence range also happens to be recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. The sunscreen is infused with Hawaiian Tropic's signature coconut scent. For me, the tropical smell was bearable – you can't ignore it but the smell didn't bother me or break me out. If you're sensitive to fragrance in skincare, be wary of this product because it may not be for you.

• Price: $17
• Where to buy: Priceline and Coles.
• Skin type: All skin types but may not work if your skin is sensitive to fragrance

Invisible Zinc 4 hr resistant SPF 50+

Invisible Zinc is actually a physical sunscreen rather than a chemical formula. What does that mean? Instead of absorbing the UV rays, this product will create a barrier that bounces the rays off your skin. This sunscreen will seriously protect your skin and it just so happens to be water and sweat resistant. If you're swimming at the beach or exercising outside, you're going to want to be wearing this. I'm also a big fan of the formula. Most zinc products are thick but this one is the exact opposite. It effortlessly glides on the skin, and it's got a silk touch finish. It does leave a slight white cast, so if you're choosing to wear foundation over the top, you may prefer something with fuller coverage.

• Priceline rating: 4/5
• Price: $29
• Where to buy: Priceline and Active Skin.
• Skin type: All skin types can use this sunscreen

Carroten SPF 30 Matt Look Face Cream

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face and Body Lotion SPF 50

Courtney: The Carroten SPF 30 Matt Look face cream has been my go-to for everyday use during the summer. As someone with extremely fair skin, finding effective SPF products can often be hit or miss. I look for SPF face creams that last throughout the day, feel light on my skin and don't have an overpowering scent. This face cream ticks all of the boxes. The bottle is small and compact, making it convenient to carry whether I'm heading to work or the beach.

Zahra: I hate the feeling of sunscreen on my face, but definitely don't want to burn in the Aussie sun! I use the La Roche Posay Anthelios sunscreen on my face when I'm at the beach. It's lightweight and doesn't feel gross and oily. It's a pretty tiny bottle for $30 so I use a normal sunscreen on my body, but this is the only thing I'll use on my face.

Demi: This Neutrogena sunscreen is so great because it has a nice thin consistency. It wears great under makeup and still looks good on bare skin. This is a great pick for those with sensitive skin and especially if you have acne like me.