Australian suncare brand Airyday has launched in the UK, bringing nine SPF products including its bestselling Clear as Day SPF50+ Dreamscreen, priced at £39. The clear gel formula leaves no sticky residue or white cast and absorbs quickly, according to a beauty journalist who tested it.
Brand founder's story
Airyday was launched in 2022 by Frances van der Velden, who wanted to create a sunscreen she would wear daily after a scary skin cancer diagnosis and successful treatment. Van der Velden realised she wasn't wearing sun protection as often as she should because she disliked the smell, stickiness and thickness of traditional SPFs.
The philosophy is that the best SPF is the one you want to wear. If it's a faff, takes ages to absorb or disrupts makeup, you won't use it enough to provide proper UV protection.
Why the Dreamscreen stands out
The Clear as Day SPF50+ Dreamscreen is a clear gel with a silicone-rich texture similar to a makeup primer. Because it's clear, it leaves no chalky white cast and has none of the thick, heavy, tacky sensation of other sunscreens. It also means you don't need a mirror to check you've rubbed it in properly.
The journalist, who has oily combination, acne-prone skin, found the formula helps keep foundation in place and extend its wear without clogging pores or triggering breakouts. It has a satin-soft finish with a slight blurring effect on enlarged pores, without being too glowy or too matte.
Travel-friendly and worth the price
The sleek tube fits easily in a toiletry bag for travel and has never leaked or split on flights. At £39, it's not cheap, but it has replaced many typical cream sunscreens, making it worth every penny.
