These 2026 sun textures have replaced my sticky white cream and I’ll never go back.

This summer of 2026 sun creams no longer resemble the thick sunscreens that used to stick to the skin and leave white marks. Now, textures are light, finishes invisible, and formulas rival serums or make-up bases. It remains to be seen which products really deserve a place in your beach bag.

Why 2026 sunscreens mark a real breakthrough

The figures speak for themselves: 84% of French people apply sun protection after prolonged exposure, but only 31% reapply it during the day. Even more worrying, 19% never apply any, despite the fact that 9 out of 10 skin cancers are thought to be linked to overexposure to UV rays.

Faced with this reality, sun protection has become the number one anti-aging gesture, well ahead of retinol or acids. Laboratories have worked on formulas that can be worn every day: milky fluids, non-sticky gels, SPF serums compatible with make-up.

These new sun creams also incorporate targeted active ingredients such as anti-oxidants, ceramides and soothing ingredients. In this way, protection becomes a complete care product, adapted to every skin type.

Understanding SPF indices

SPF 30 filters out around 97% of UVB rays, compared with 93% for SPF 15. For the beach, dermatologists often recommend a broad-spectrum SPF 50, which is more tolerant in the event of insufficient application.

“Mists, sticks, gels, primers, serums and milks continue to be on trend this year. And specific sunscreens for certain parts of the body, such as the scalp and lips.”

This diversity of formats meets a real need: to protect every area of the body with the right texture. The single tube has given way to a veritable wardrobe of suncare products.

Milky textures, sticks and tinted sunscreens: the leading trends

Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson has observed a wave of mineral launches with filters based on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These formulas are now available in tinted versions, with a transparent finish to avoid the mask effect.

Milky sunscreens like Tatcha’s The Milky Sunscreen, or mineral milks from Summer Fridays and Good Weather Skin, illustrate this trend. Their texture melts into the skin, leaving no visible residue.

• A comfortable body lotion or fluid for long exposures
• A light, make-up-compatible sun cream for the face
• An SPF stick for touch-ups on the nose, cheekbones and shoulders
• Scalp mist and high SPF lip balm
• A tinted sunscreen if you prefer to replace foundation at the beach

On the chemical filter front, a new filter called Bemotrizol could be approved in the USA. It offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, and blends well with other ingredients.

Formats that change everyday life on the beach

Sticks enable quick touch-ups on exposed areas. Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protector stick, for example, offers broad-spectrum, water-resistant protection for up to 80 minutes.

For the scalp, mists like COOLA Scalp & Hair Mist protect without greasing the roots. This often overlooked area deserves special attention during prolonged exposure.

SPF lip balms like Ultra Violette Sheen Screen or Prequel Lip Visor prevent dryness and staining. These small formats slip easily into a pocket or bag.

Elite sun creams to slip into your bag

On the face, SPF primers like Eadem’s Sunsuede or YSE Beauty’s Skin Glow blur pores and control sebum. They act as both make-up base and sun protection.

Tinted serums like Lightsaver Triplesome or Protec(tint) by Supergoop even out skin tone with light coverage. This dual function appeals to those who want to simplify their summer routine.

Among the most popular formulas, Isdin Fusion Water Magic offers 360° protection against UV, blue light, heat and pollution. Osea Marine Screen Mineral SPF 50 stands out for its undetectable finish on the skin.

Bioré UV Aqua Rich and Dayscreen by Beauty of Joseon complete this selection with ultra-light, moisturizing textures. These sun creams are easy to wear every day, even under make-up. With these new-generation formulas, sun protection becomes a pleasure rather than a constraint.

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• sun creams