There are two products I use almost daily that are a harder sell than many I can take or leave: facial sunscreen and primer. We all know why the first is important for both beauty and skin health: a broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against exposure to UVA and UVB rays, which can cause ageing, burning and skin cancer. I’m increasingly of the mind that those who’ll ever wear one are already doing so, and those who aren’t never will.
This latter group complains about greasiness (no longer entirely fair) and are reluctant to add yet another step to their regime. Which brings me to primer. For many women, this extra product, which straddles skincare and make-up, is the straw that breaks the camel’s back, which is a shame because it’s fantastically useful. Good primer evens skin texture instantly, to give a smooth surface for make-up or nothing else at all (I often wear it on its own at weekends, or with concealer and blusher on casual days). It gives foundation a better finish and staying power, and brings more benefits besides such as colour correction, spot treatment, glow or, now, SPF.
Can you see what I’m suggesting here? Combine them, because a sun-protecting primer ticks both boxes in one easy step. The best I’ve tried for normal to dry skins is Giorgio Armani’s Maestro UV SPF50, which has a light, fluid texture that glides beautifully over moisturiser without clashing (unusual in such a high-protection product). It provides a wonderful base for make-up, and adds a subtle but noticeable radiance. Imparting yet more glow is Nars Radiance Primer SPF35.
It has a wetter texture and more light reflection, and is suitable for all skins; it also comes in a more practical tube for travel. Likewise, Paula’s Choice Resist Smoothing Primer Serum SPF30: this has quite a thick consistency and moist finish (oily skins probably won’t love it), but that does give it good line-blurring capabilities.
It would be remiss not to mention Laura Mercier, too, who can be credited with bringing primers to the masses. Her Foundation Primer Protect SPF30 has a great texture for any skin type and almost laminates skin with a perfectly smooth surface. Pop any of these directly over moisturiser.
