I always used to roll my eyes at the endless and detailed advice provided by dermatologists around the subject of SPF. Don’t get me wrong, I was by no means an SPF denier, but would simply contain my usage to hot holidays and the UK’s short-lived summer months. Surely, I wondered, as I wrapped a scarf around my head and braced myself for yet another dark winter’s day in the grips of storm Bert/Jude/Lionel, there was no risk of sun damage? But then along came 30.
The big 3-0 really underscored the importance of a consistent skincare routine, which had been a “nice to have” in my 20s. As I stared down the barrel of a new decade, I swore to myself that I would do better. My first step? Find a good, high-factor SPF, aka the ultimate – and most simple – defence in keeping fine lines at bay.
Read more: 31 Of The Best Black Friday Beauty Deals For 2024, Picked By Vogue Editors
Half of the issue was that, historically, I had found that most SPF 50s would make me break-out, leave a white residue on my skin, or generally leave me looking like a Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut (and not in a chic, Hailey Bieber kind of way). After over a year of fruitless sunscreen experimentation, I stumbled across Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defence SPF 50. After first use, I instantly noticed that the formula felt light yet also hydrating, in a way that, in my experience, no other brands had achieved – so much so that I found I could forgo moisturiser in the morning and layer make-up directly on top of my SPF (note that I have combination skin).
At £45 full-price, it is definitely an investment, but I figured that it was worth it for all the savings I would accrue in the future when I’m not having to have a face lift at the age of 35 (kidding – sort of). However, I am happy to report that my favourite Kiehl’s SPF is now on sale for Black Friday, so you can get all the skincare goodness for less. After all, the sale season is the perfect time to stock up on the high-quality pieces you actually use day-in-day-out, rather than impulse purchases. Your future self (and skin) will thank you for it.
