Morning routines are chaos. Sunscreen is non-negotiable. But we get it - when you're running late with toast in hand, SPF gets forgotten. We also know our customers often skip SPF because it's irritating or they don't like the heavy finish. So we went back to the lab.
Could we create a sunscreen as kind to sensitive skin as our existing British Summer Time SPF30 that also adds instant luminosity?
Yes, we could. Introducing British Summer Time Glow SPF 30. A sunscreen that absorbs like a serum. It gives you the luminous finish of a primer.
Natural ingredients to protect and prime
British Summer Time Glow SPF 30 is a hybrid formula that combines the last step of skincare with the first step of make-up. It's a 100% natural non-greasy sunscreen, with mineral filters for broad spectrum protection. Our chemists added natural reflective pigments for instant radiance. The finish is luminous enough to make SPF feel like a treat, not a chore.
We know that mineral sunscreens work brilliantly for sensitive, reactive or rosacea-prone skin. So just like our original formula, we used non-nano Zinc Oxide to act as the physical shield, offering broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB light.
We've kept in the Cotton Extract too. This hardworking Vitamin E-rich active helps protect sensitive skin from photo-ageing and photodamage.
What's different about this formula is the natural, ethically-sourced** Mica inside. This natural pearlescent pigment is the ingredient that powers our bestselling bronzing drops, The Impossible Glow. It reflects light, giving skin a natural, lit-from-within healthy glow for summer skin, all year round.
Proven results
We know our formulations work. But testing them is always satisfying. Consumer trials proved what we already knew:
- 83% said skin looks instantly more luminous
- 88% agreed it works well as a smooth, even base
- 87% agreed it layers well as the last step of their skincare routine
- 86% agreed the shade works well with their skin tone
- 86% agreed it doesn't leave skin shiny or oily
As with all Pai products, it's also clinically proven for sensitive skin.
How to use British Summer Time Glow SPF 30
On days you wear make-up, think of this sunscreen as your new (and much improved) primer. If you prefer makeup-free days, British Summer Time Glow gives you skin that looks like you've had eight hours of sleep and a week in the sun. It's your final skincare step and your first make-up step combined.
Before applying your sunscreen each morning, do your tried and trusted skincare routine. That might be cleanse, serum, moisturise, or just water and moisturiser if you're running late.
To enhance your glow further, you can apply The Impossible Glow as a hydrating highlighter, or mix it with your foundation if you're wearing one.
Sunscreen is designed to stay on the skin for as long as possible. So at the end of the day, remove your sunscreen with a double cleanse to ensure every last trace is gone.
Find your sensitive sunscreen
Still unsure which sunscreen is right for your skin? If you want a matte, natural finish with no added glow, our original British Summer Time SPF 30 is for you. Or if you want a glowing finish from a sunscreen that's also fragrance free, you'll love our new British Summer Time Glow SPF 30. Then again, you might want both...
Shop British Summer Time Glow SPF30 right here or browse our sunscreens for sensitive skin here
*Independently tested on 103 volunteers. Equally weighted across skin types I-VI, based on Fitzpatrick's Phototype Scale
**Our Mica is sustainably and ethically sourced from a manufacturer that is a member of The Responsible Mica Initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is British Summer Time Glow SPF 30 suited to sensitive skin?
It uses non-nano Zinc Oxide as its mineral UV filter, which sits on the skin's surface and physically reflects UV rays rather than absorbing them and converting them to heat the way chemical sunscreens do. That makes it inherently less irritating for reactive, rosacea-prone or eczema-prone skin. Like all Pai products, it's also been clinically tested for sensitive skin tolerance.
What makes this sunscreen glow, and is the glow purely cosmetic?
The luminosity comes from natural, ethically sourced Mica, a pearlescent mineral that reflects light across the skin for a lit-from-within finish. But the formula also contains iron oxides, which do double duty: they create a natural skin-tone tint and block up to 86% of high-energy visible (HEV) blue light, a wavelength range that standard mineral sunscreens don't fully cover. So the glow is actually functional photoprotection, not just a cosmetic finish.
How did British Summer Time Glow SPF 30 perform in consumer trials?
In an independent trial of 103 volunteers, equally weighted across Fitzpatrick skin types I to VI, 83% said skin looks instantly more luminous and 88% agreed it works well as a smooth, even base. 86% agreed the shade works well with their skin tone, and the same percentage said it doesn't leave skin shiny or oily.
Can I use British Summer Time Glow as a makeup primer?
Yes, it's designed to be your final skincare step and your first makeup step in one. Apply it after your usual morning routine (cleanse, serum, moisturise) and use it as your primer base. You can also layer The Impossible Glow on top as a hydrating highlighter or mix it into foundation for extra radiance.
What's the difference between British Summer Time Glow and the original British Summer Time SPF 30?
Both use non-nano Zinc Oxide for broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and Cotton Extract to help guard against photodamage. The Glow version adds Mica for a luminous, radiant finish and iron oxides that extend protection into the visible light spectrum, blocking HEV blue light. If you prefer a matte, no-glow finish, the original British Summer Time is the better choice.
