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Updated August 2026. Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist has had a makeover since I first reviewed it back in 2023, and this isn’t simply a case of new packaging. The formula has changed too.
I originally reviewed Preen Screen when it launched in the UK in May 2023, and I really liked the concept of an SPF50 mist designed specifically for topping up your sun protection throughout the day, including over makeup.
Fast forward to 2026 and Preen Screen has a new look, a new 50ml format and a different UV filter system. I’ve been trying the current version and, I have to say, I really like it.
The biggest improvement for me is the delivery system. The mist is finer and feels much more elegant to use, while the formula feels incredibly comfortable on the skin and gives me a lovely natural finish without leaving me looking overly shiny.
So, if you’ve read my original Preen Screen review, here’s everything you need to know about the current version.
UPDATE: Ultra Violette Preen Screen has been reformulated
This is important if you’ve previously used or read about Preen Screen. The current formula is not the same formula I reviewed in 2023.
When I originally reviewed Preen Screen, it contained four UV filters: Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Bemotrizinol and Ethylhexyl Triazone. The original formula was registered in Australia in January 2023.
The current 50ml version uses a different combination of UV filters:
- Octocrylene 6%
- Octyl Salicylate 5%
- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) 3%
- Bemotrizinol 0.75%
The Australian TGA has a new registration for SPF 50 Preen Screen dated 25 March 2026, listing those same four active sunscreen ingredients. So if you have an older bottle of Preen Screen, don’t assume that the current ingredient list will be the same.
What does the new Ultra Violette Preen Screen look like?
The current Preen Screen comes in a 50ml bottle and is priced at £23 on the Ultra Violette UK website at the time of this update.
The packaging has changed from the 75ml bottle I reviewed originally, but for me the more interesting change is what’s happening when you actually press the nozzle.
The mist is much finer and that was the first thing I noticed with the new version. The delivery feels more refined and elegant than the Preen Screen I originally reviewed. It produces a really fine mist that feels comfortable as it lands on the skin rather than feeling like you’re spraying a lot of product onto your face.
For an SPF mist, I think this makes a real difference because the whole point is to make reapplication something you will actually want to do.
If you’re shopping this at Space NK, you might want to advantage of their current GWP: Space NK Gift With Purchase August 2026 – Worth Over £275.
How to use Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50
Ultra Violette recommends using Preen Screen as the final step in your morning skincare routine, after moisturiser and before makeup if you’re wearing it.
It can then be reapplied throughout the day over makeup or skincare.
The current instructions say to:
- Shake well before use.
- Hold the bottle approximately 20cm from your face.
- Close your eyes.
- Exhale and apply evenly using an X and T pattern.
- Allow it to dry slightly before opening your eyes.
Ultra Violette also advises using it in a well-ventilated area and avoiding inhalation.
And, as with the original Preen Screen, I think it’s important to remember what this product is actually designed for.
It is a reapplication product, not something I’d rely on as my only SPF application of the day.
I always like to start with a properly applied facial sunscreen and then use Preen Screen to make reapplication throughout the day easier.
Looking for a new everyday facial SPF? I’ve rounded up my tried-and-tested favourites in my guide: Best SPF50 for Face: My Top High Protection Sunscreens for Everyday Use.
Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50: Before and after the reformulation
If you’ve used the original version, here’s the simple way I’d describe the difference.
Original Preen Screen, which I reviewed in 2023:
- 75ml
- £32 when I reviewed it
- Four different UV filters
- Fine SPF mist
- Soft, glowy finish
- Designed for SPF top-ups over makeup
Current Preen Screen:
- 50ml
- £23 at the time of this update
- New UV filter system
- Finer-feeling delivery system
- Comfortable, lightweight feel
- Natural, softly radiant finish
- Designed for SPF top-ups over makeup
The concept hasn’t changed, but the product has evolved.
Is the new Ultra Violette Preen Screen better?
For me, yes. I liked the original Preen Screen, which is why I was keen to try the new version, but I think the current one feels more refined.
The finer mist is probably the biggest difference I’ve noticed. It makes applying SPF over makeup feel much more effortless, and I really like the way it sits on my skin. I also prefer the finish. It’s still fresh and slightly radiant, but not overly shiny, which is exactly what I want from an SPF mist.
My verdict
I really like the new Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50. If you already own the original version, it’s worth knowing that the current product isn’t simply a packaging update. It has been reformulated, with a different UV filter system and a new 50ml format.
Having tried the new version, though, I think the changes are positive. The mist feels finer, the application is more elegant, it is very comfortable on the skin and I love the natural finish. It gives me enough radiance to make the skin look fresh without tipping into that overly shiny SPF look.
And, ultimately, that’s what I want from a reapplication SPF: something that is easy enough and pleasant enough to use that I will actually remember to use it.
