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    1. Beauty
    2. Skincare

    I’ve Tried a Lot of Brilliant SPFs in My Time, but the Dewy Finish of This One Is Unmatched

    Tropic's Sun Day Facial UV Defence is my new go-to

    Amelia Yeomans's avatar
    By Amelia Yeomans
    Published 22 June 2025 In Features

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    street style shot of woman with glowing skin wearing sunglasses
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    My quest for the perfect facial SPF is never-ending. I have a fairly large roster of formulas I know and love, but I get through suncream faster than any other item in my arsenal, so I will never stop looking for the next best thing. The latest SPF to wow me? Tropic's Sun Day Facial UV Defence, which gives me the dewy (but never oily) finish of my dreams.

    It promises to hydrate, prime and protect in one simple step, all whilst giving the skin a glowy boost. And after some thorough testing in sweaty London weather, I can confirm all of the above. It can even double as one of the best SPF moisturisers thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, which is music to my ears as someone who gets very easily dried out in the sun.

    Enriched with brightening antioxidants and offering broad-spectrum SPF 50, it ticks pretty much every box. Here's exactly why it's my new daily facial sunscreen for the summer months.

    Sun Day Facial Uv Defence

    Tropic Skincare
    Sun Day Facial UV Defence
    £24
    £24 AT TROPIC

    It seems like SPFs are getting more and more pricey these days. And I understand—there's a reason why they cost what they do, and few (if any) skincare steps are as crucial. But in a market saturated with expensive luxury serums and cheap, chalky formulas that just aren't comfortable to wear, I welcome a mid-range, lightweight product with open arms.

    Thanks to the milky smooth formula of this SPF, it's a dream to apply and blend out. It sinks in incredibly quickly (good news when I'm getting ready in a rush in the morning) and doesn't leave an oily film that can cause makeup to slide around.

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    swatch of tropic spf and bottle

    (Image credit: Future)

    But what I love most about it is the diffused dewy finish it leaves. It gives my skin a brightening boost that makes it look extremely fresh and hydrated, but not at all unnatural—and the finish lasts pretty much all day. I tend to apply this and then spot conceal rather than wearing full coverage foundation, thanks to the your-skin-but-better finish.

    It's also entirely reef safe, so you can wear it in the ocean without fear. I've found this essential when I go travelling, as there are multiple places where you need to be extra cautious with the type of sunscreen you're wearing so as not to impact the wildlife.

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    Unlike the majority of facial sunscreens, it also has a sweet coconut and mango scent, that is noticeable but not overpowering. I have seriously blemish-prone skin, but it hasn't caused any breakouts or clogged pores that can often be associated with fragrance.

    Suitable for all skin types, it'll be staying firmly in my everyday makeup bag this season.

    Explore More
    Sunscreen
    Amelia Yeomans
    Amelia Yeomans
    Junior Shopping Editor

    Amelia is Junior Shopping Editor at Marie Claire UK. With a keen eye for lifestyle trends and a focus on quality over quantity, she is very clued up on the best products and brands on the market. She previously worked as a Senior Writer for woman&home, covering everything from product reviews and nail art trends to reporting on fashion weeks and the best-dressed celebrities at red carpet events.

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