You either love or hate SPF sticks, but they’re a brilliantly convenient way to protect your skin from premature ageing and photo damage. Over the last couple of years they’ve risen to popularity alongside traditional cream formulations, due to their convenience and easy ability to be applied over makeup – without completely ruining it.

Sounds like a good idea, but how does it really play out? In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best sunscreen stick options for your daily routine.

Fragrance free SPF sticks

Starting with a popular preference, there are tonnes of fragrance free SPF stick formulas on maeva without any added scents, including this one from Abib.

We love that the Quick Sunstick Protection Bar offers SPF 50, as well as skin-essential ingredients like ceramides that help keep your protective skin barrier in top shape. Where white cast is concerned, this one is likely to glide over your makeup without leaving a trace. We’d recommend it for reapplying throughout the day, whilst at work or school.

Another option if you’re looking to avoid fragrance is the Benton Mineral Sun Stick, which offers SPF 50. Mineral formulas can often be beneficial for sensitive skin, rosacea and/or eczema, as sometimes chemical sunscreen filters can cause irritation. We like that this product has skin nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, as well as hyaluronic acid for giving the skin a well ‘plumped’ look.

Sunscreen sticks for oily skin

Sunscreen sticks can be a good alternative to cream formulas, which are often fairly heavy, greasy and not ideal for oilier skin types. A number of sticks even include a powder ingredient that absorbs sebum when applied, making them ideal for oilier skin.

Cult Asian beauty brand, Laneige, offers this SPF 50 solution that includes the sebum absorbing ingredient, named the Air Light Sun Stick. The only drawback with the product, as far as we’re concerned, is the potential for irritation as the formula includes a few essential oils. Whether you love or hate them, they have proved to be sensitising to some over time, but if that’s not a concern for you then it might just be your next holy grail SPF.

2-in-1 SPF sticks that combine powerful actives

You’ve probably heard that combining SPF with vitamin C can enhance the protection of your sunscreen, as well as the usual benefits of fading dark marks and defending against free radicals. The ​​SOS Spot Whitening sun stick by Tosowoong is another brilliant product from Asia’s elite beauty scene, not only combining sun protection with ascorbic acid for skin brightening, but also niacinamide and licorice extract to calm and soothe the skin.