Is SPF the new SEXY?

I found myself pondering this question after watching the Netflix movie A Family Affair the other night.  I realise that this has not become the main topic of conversation around the film but no, this ditty is not about the good or the bad of tweakments (or otherwise, and allegedly, and all that jazz). Nor is it about age-gap romances, although I will say on that topic that I think it’s no bad thing that women who may (or may not, allegedly, and all that jazz) be – or be close to being - beyond childbearing age being considered to be lead romantic roles and attractive to men who aren’t even remotely close to living in an old people’s home. It’s surely far beyond time that women and their sex appeal are about more than their wombs and their wrinkles.

But I digress from my main point here which is …..how the initial seduction scene included a rather pivotal role for sunscreen. Oh yes, indeedy.

There’s some (decidedly weird and unsexy handwaving, in my opinion) from Nicole Kidman’s character right in front of Zac Efron’s face. Rather than causing him to bat it away in an irritated fashion he clasps it, pulls it closer, and plants a kiss on it.

‘You smell good,” he purrs but moments later. ‘What are you wearing?’

Could it be Frederic Malle? Byredo? Chanel? Dior? Ah, wait for it….

‘Sunscreen,’ says Kidman in an almost whisper while tilting her head coquettishly to one side. Her character is so down to earth you see.

‘Shiseido SPF35?’ asks Zac with a tone of triumphant but sultry recognition.

‘Yes’. They lock eyes. Their mutual Japanese sunscreen appreciation is too much to fight….

And bingo! Commence smooching.

SPF as a seduction tool? Well, I’ve never heard of that before. I also, by the by, can’t find an SPF35 from Shiseido. A 30, yes. And a 50. And even a 20 in a day cream and a 10 in a tanning compact. But I do know that Shiseido suncare smells good – as does their skincare because they were years ahead of the pack in incorporating wellbeing fragrances into their formulas.

But SPF is also one of the beauty categories that has me feeling exciting right now. Ok, not excited in a wanting to rip off an illegally imported endangered species shahtoosh T-shirt from someone’s incredibly muscular back type way (and to digress once more, does anyone else remember the heady days of fashion when everything was about shahtoosh – not illegal then but close to – and pashminas a go-go?). But excited, nonetheless. Because of the textures and the finishes and the multi faceted take on the benefits they can deliver and all together it feels like a very innovative and multi-tasking beauty space. In fact, I’d suggest renaming it to SSPF - Skincare Sun Protection Factor. Or maybe even SSSPF: Super Skincare Sun Protection Factor. So here is my current top 3 (with a caveat at the end) - and Zac Efron is very welcome to come and try them out with me (ideally wearing clothes that won’t have the police coming along too).

Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen, SPF50 (£65). This has a slight tint to it and some blurring agents too so is a lovely pick me up to skin and delivers a lovely touch of glow.  The mineral formula contains a form of zinc oxide that is (apparently) more powerful than the average version and also contains HA to enhance hydration too. It’s so light to wear you think you have nothing on but you look healthier, more vibrant and you’re being sun sensible. And, call me superficial, I love the lilac bottle too.

Tatca The Silk Sunscreen. link to product

RMS Super Natural Radiant Tinted Serum with SPF30 (£51). Ok, not specifically an SPF but it is a key part of the formulation and for its existence and I just love this stuff. It’s more like a liquid bronzer really but contains some skin beneficial peptides and niacinimide as well as non-nano zinc oxide. It comes in 3 shades though honestly I rather like mixing two together for my perfect match which I appreciate makes it more expensive. But now that I’ve found this I don’t want to be without it.

RMS Super Natural Radiant Tinted Serum - link to product

Murad Multi Vitamin Clear Coat SPF50, £42. If a chemical sunscreen is the way you want to go then, as its name suggests, this is totally clear so no white cast and works for all skin colours. It feels somewhat gel-like – I’m normally not a fan of gellish textures but I do really like this: its smooth, even luxurious, and decidedly unclinical, has a velvety-matte finish, and is a great base for makeup too. It’s also packed with beneficial skincare ingredients – a mix of vitamins C,D, E & F - but also offers serious sun protection and is waterproof.

Murad Multi Vitamin Clear Coat SPF50 - link to product

NB: Of course one of the big issues (and I do not minimise it) with SPF is whether or not it is reef safe and, sadly, not all of them are. For instance, according to its own ingredient list even the Murad formula contains octocrylene which is an ingredient that the Save The Reef project describes as a ‘harmful substance’ for reef life, although I will be checking this ingredient listing with the brand next week. It is often found in chemical sunscreens. You can read more about being SPF reef safe here: Save The Reef