Augustinus Bader, the luxury beauty brand favoured by Victoria Beckham, Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie, has launched a body SPF that promises more than just sun protection. The solar shield sunscreen, priced at £120 for 175ml, aims to combine firming, toning and radiance-boosting skincare benefits with powerful sun protection. But does it justify its hefty price tag?
What makes Augustinus Bader's solar shield different?
Unlike standard sunscreens, the solar shield is formulated with the brand's patented TFC8 complex, a blend of amino acids, vitamins and peptides designed to improve skin elasticity, tone and texture over time. This makes it more of a skincare-sunscreen hybrid than a traditional SPF. However, application guidelines remain the same. “Sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours, or more frequently after swimming, sweating or towel drying,” explains Kimberly Medd, clinic lead at Face the Future. “Even the best sunscreen becomes less effective if it's not reapplied throughout the day.”
How the test was conducted
The Standard's Shopping Editor, Daisy Lester, took the solar shield to Tuscany for a four-day holiday. She tested it by lounging by the pool, reapplying after swimming, and evaluating ease of application, skin feel, protection against burning, and how quickly the tube depleted.
First impressions and texture
On first application, the solar shield feels more like a body cream than a sunscreen. The creamy white formula is thick but warms easily in the hands. A little goes a long way, and it leaves no white cast or greasy residue. Instead, skin looks radiant and glowy, similar to a body oil or moisturiser. The SPF has a barely-there feel and is fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Skincare and sun protection performance
The softening and smoothing benefits last beyond a dip in the pool, sinking into skin and delivering lasting hydration. The tester, who has some rosacea on the back of her arms, noticed the sunscreen helped even out the skin tone. As for sun protection, her pale skin did not burn once during the trip, despite spending hours in the harsh Tuscan sun. She got a slight bikini tan but no redness or soreness.
Is the price justified?
At £120, the solar shield is exceedingly expensive for an SPF that requires reapplication every two hours. Over four days of use, sharing the SPF between herself and her partner, the tube was much depleted. The tester estimates it would run out before the end of a week-long holiday. While the skincare benefits and sun protection are impressive, the cost makes it an indulgent purchase rather than an essential one.
Final verdict
Augustinus Bader's solar shield SPF occupies a space few sunscreens do: a luxury skincare product that delivers high-level sun protection. It looks and feels good on the skin, keeping it hydrated, comfortable and protected. However, justifying £120 on an SPF that must be applied generously and frequently is steep for most, especially if it might not last an entire holiday. If money is no object, it comes highly recommended; if it is, choose a more affordable alternative.
