23 best sun creams 2024 UK; we tested once-a-day, factor 50 and sensitive skin sunscreens
LOOKING for the best sun creams? We’ve put some of the most raved-about formulas to the test to see if they deliver.
Whether it’s winter or summer – sunny days can wreak havoc with our skin, which is why plenty of us opt to wear an SPF all year round.
Not only do they help to prevent sunburn, but a good suncream will protect you from UV and UVB rays and even deliver skin nourishing benefits to fight signs of wrinkles, dark spots and pigmentation.
When it comes to deciding which one to opt for, there are all sorts of things to consider including whether to go for a chemical or mineral suncream, what number SPF is suitable – and even if you’d prefer to opt for a natural product without parabens, artificial perfumes and other synthetic chemicals.
To help make life easier, we’ve put a wide variety of creams to the test, including high SPF options, formulas for sensitive skin and tinted moisturizers that conceal redness.
Read on for our tried-and-tested reviews of the best sun creams out there.
Best sun creams at a glance:
- Best overall sun cream: Coola Classic Sunscreen Spray SPF30 and SPF50
- Best budget sun cream: Malibu Sun Lotion SPF 30
- Best all-day sunscreen: Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist
- Best non-greasy sunscreen: Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50
- Best SPF 30 sunscreen: Piz Buin Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF 30
Coola Classic Sunscreen Spray SPF30 and SPF50
Pros: SPF 30 or 50, UVA and UVB protection, pollution protection packed with moisturising ingredients, non-sticky, fast-absorbing, reef safe, recyclable packaging, vegan, cruelty-free, reef-friendly, water and sweat resistant
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Coola’s sunscreen spray is hands down the most pleasurable, luxurious sunscreen out there. We’ve been using this brand’s products for at least four years, and it’s our go-to for everything from beach holidays to pub garden days.
This product comes in SPF30 and SPF50 and a range of scents, and we tried both the SPF30 in Pina Colada and the SPF50 in Guava Mango.
Right off the bat, we can confirm that these sprays smell exactly how you’d expect them to based on their names. They’re sweet, and tropical, and will remind you of holiday – even if you’re just sunning yourself in your back garden.
Plus, we love that the scents surprisingly linger on your skin like perfume. The spray also sinks in quickly and leaves no white cast whatsoever.
This is the ultimate SPF for lazy people since the spray comes out so fine that there’s no need to rub it in with your hands and get mucky. All you need to do is mist it on your skin from four to six inches away. However, if you’re applying it to your face, you’ll need to spray it into your hands first before rubbing it onto the face.
We tested both of these out on a weekend seaside break during the UK heatwave and can confirm that, even though it feels as if you’re wearing nothing on your skin, this SPF spray really will protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays and pollution damage for hours on end. Just make sure you’re applying liberally and reapplying every couple of hours (or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating heavily).
Unlike many spray SPFs, this one isn’t full of drying alcohol. It contains a host of moisturising and nourishing ingredients like safflower extract, meadowfoam seed oil, buriti, vitamin A and vitamin E.
Another great thing about Coola? The products are kind to the environment. They’re made using 70% organically sourced ingredients, they’re cruelty-free, and the packaging is made from 100% recyclable sugar-cane resin. Also, they’re reef-compliant because the products don’t contain Oxybenzone or Octinoxate.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 30 or 50; Water-Resistant: Yes; Size: 177ml; Star ingredients: safflower extract, meadowfoam seed oil, buriti and vitamin A and E; Vegan: Yes
Piz Buin Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF 30
- Piz Buin Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF 30, £7 from Boots – buy here
Pros: SPF 30, UVA and UVB protection, packed with antioxidants, non-sticky, water and sweat-resistant
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
If it’s a regular moisturising sun lotion you’re after, you can’t go wrong with this one from Piz Buin. At under £8 for 200ml, it’s affordable.
And, the actual product itself ticks all of the boxes. UVA and UVB protection? Check, Packed with antioxidants like FEVERFEW PFE to prevent premature skin ageing? Yep, Non-sticky and fast-absorbing? Got that too.
This SPF goes above just UV protection, it has triple resistance. This means it protects your skin against aggressors like chlorine and sea and salt water, too. It’s also sweat and water-resistant, which means you’re less likely to be reapplying constantly.
We tested this product out when sunbathing on a sunny day in the garden and found it to be effective and incredibly moisturising on my skin (thanks to the added glycerin).
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 30+; Water-Resistant: No; Size: 200ml; Star ingredients: FEVERFEW PFE and glycerin ; Vegan: No
READ MORE:
- Best SPF for faces
- Best sunscreens for under makeup
- Best vitamin C serums
- Best sunscreens for black skin
- Tula skincare review
Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+
- Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+,
£10.99£8.24 from Look Fantastic – buy here
Pros: Lightweight and non-sticky, absorbs easily, no white cast, water-resistant
Cons: 3-star UVA protection
Rating: 3.5/5
If you like to spend your holidays in the pool or sea, then the Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect is perfect as it’s water resistant for up to four hours (Bondi recommends you reapply after two hours when swimming). It also contains ethically sourced algae to keep your skin hydrated.
We found the lotion absorbed into the skin easily and it didn’t leave a white cast. It feels light and there’s no stickiness, which is a bonus when you’re under the hot sun.
It’s fragrance-free so suitable for sensitive skin, and it contains no parabens or sulphates. It’s also cruelty-free and reef-friendly, but we were a little disappointed to see that it only offers 3-star UVA protection.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF Factor: 50 Water-Resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: Ethically Sourced Algae
Rosalique 3-in-1 Anti-Redness SPF 50
- Rosalique 3-in-1 Anti-Redness SPF 50, £29.99 from Rosalique – buy here
Pros: Soothes redness and rosacea, broad spectrum protection, works as a primer, non-greasy and glowing finish
Cons: Not suitable for all skin tones, may pill if too much is applied
Rating: 4/5
As its name suggests, Rosalique is a multi-tasking product that can be used as a primer, tinted moisturizer or final skincare step to provide not only SPF protection but soothe redness.
With broad spectrum SPF 50, it’s a perfect additional layer of protection against the sun and keeps your skin shielded from UVA and UVB rays. However, its main draw is that it’s designed for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin, and instantly conceals redness with a unique colour-correcting tint.
When first applied, it comes out in a green colour, but once it’s rubbed in, it disappears to a shade that matches your skin tone and conceals imperfections. A little goes a long way with this product, and it’s great for hot days when you’re spending a lot of time outside in the sun, and don’t want to feel like you’re wearing a ton of make-up.
We also liked how you can build it up to provide more coverage and preferred wearing it to normal foundation, especially as it left our skin looking glowy and most importantly, protected against the sun.
Unfortunately, it may not suit deeper skin tones as its colour-correcting tint is limited in its ability and it can pill if too much is applied in one go. However, if you’ve got fair skin, or suffer from rosacea, this will help keep your skin protected and glowing throughout the day.
Review by Natalie Chui.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 50; Water-Resistant: No; Size: 30ml; Star ingredients: Bisabolol, Zeolite, Provitamin B5, Urea and Shea Butter; Vegan: Yes
Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50
- Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50,
£39£33.15 at Paula’s Choice – buy here
Pros: SPF 30, UVA and UVB protection, lightweight, non-greasy, dewy glow, hydrating, no white cast, holds your makeup in place
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Paula’s Choice is a brand loved for its exfoliants and serums, and this brand-new SPF is bound to be a hit amongst beauty fans and regular folk alike.
It protects you against both UVA and UVB rays but has larger molecules than regular SPFs so doesn’t seep through to the deeper layers of your skin. The benefit of this? You’re far less likely to have a sensitised response or breakout as a result of using this sun cream on your face.
The finish is dewy and non-greasy, making it ideal for wearing under makeup or alone.
It contains skin-boosting emollients that hydrate and balance your complexion and leave it feeling soft and healthy. And, it’s also packed with antioxidants to protect against free radicals (usually caused by sunlight and pollution) and therefore prevent signs of ageing and irritation.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 50; Water-Resistant: No; Size: 60ml; Star ingredients: Tinosorb A2B (advanced sunscreen) Vegan: Yes
Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30
- Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30, £11 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Affordable price, 5-star UVA protection, easily absorbed, large size, eco-friendly
Cons: None
Rating: 4.5/5
We couldn’t believe the price of this sunscreen when we saw it as its amazing value for a huge size. Altruist was developed by a skin cancer surgeon and consultant dermatologist, so it has impeccable credentials.
The texture is light and the cream absorbs quickly into the skin. Initially, it felt slightly sticky, but that quickly wore off and our skin was left feeling soft with no white cast.
While the product is supposed to be fragrance-free, we could detect a subtle scent that was reminiscent of sunshine and holidays, but in a subtle way.
It’s also water-resistant, although it doesn’t specify for how long. Altruist is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, offering both UVA and UVB protection. We love that it’s cruelty-free, vegan and even coral-friendly. You can also use it on children over two years old. This is one we’ll be using again.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral & Chemical SPF Factor: 30 Water-Resistant: Yes Size: 200ml Star ingredients: Tinosorb A2B (advanced sunscreen) Vegan: Yes
Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen SPF50
- Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen SPF50, £15.99 from Superdrug (Member Price £9.51) – buy here
Pros: SPF 50, doesn’t pill, absorbs fast, UVA and UVB protection, oil-free, lightweight, doesn’t clog pores, no white cast, contains moisturising ingredients
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Bioré is probably the most famous in the UK for its blackhead pore strips, but the Japanese brand is the number 1 SPF brand in its founding country.
We used this on super oily skin and were relieved to see that this SPF is non-comedogenic and oil-free. Oily skin or not, everyone needs to stay hydrated and protected against the sun’s harmful rays, and it can be hard to find a product that does both of these things without leaving a greasy film. However, this product does.
Thanks to the added hyaluronic acid, we could ditch my regular serums and moisturisers and go straight in with this cream. So, the skin didn’t feel overburdened by-products and we weren’t met with any new breakouts by the end of the day.
It didn’t disturb makeup application either. It didn’t pill, make makeup crumble or slide around, and made a pretty good primer.
Above all, it’s important to note that this SPF is factor 30 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 30; Water-Resistant: No; Size: 50ml; Star ingredients: Glycerin; Vegan: No
Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist
- Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist, £32 from Space NK – buy here
Pros: Is for application over makeup, comes in a mini size, SPF 50, UVA and UVB protection, skincare ingredients
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Ultra Violette is one of the trendiest suncare brands on the market, and its brand-new SPF50 reapplication mist is a total hit online and in my books.
The truth is, most of us think we’re protecting our skin all day when we apply our SPF lotion on our faces in the morning. However, that’s not accurate. You might not want to hear it, but SPF will only protect you for around two to six hours (depending on sun exposure and sweat), so you need to reapply throughout the day. However, you won’t be doing that if you’re wearing makeup. So, that’s where this genius product comes into it.
It’s a lightweight mist that you spray over your makeup to top up your SPF and treat your cells with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, Vitamin C and E, and aloe vera.
Since we first got my hands on this product, it’s been in our desks or in our cross-body bag at all times. We found that it triples up as sun protection, setting spray and toner, and it’s great for cooling down on a hot day.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 50; Water-Resistant: No; Size: 75ml; Star ingredients: Niacinamide, aloe vera and bisabolol Vegan: Yes
Malibu Sun Lotion SPF 30
- Malibu Sun Lotion SPF 30,
£5.99£5.79 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Cheap price, good sized bottle, moisturising, water-resistant
Cons: None I could see
Rating: 4/5
This is another well-priced sunscreen, which is great because if you’re going abroad you certainly do get through lots of it.
The lotion applies well and sinks in without leaving a sticky feel afterwards with no white cast. The SPF rating is high and this sunscreen has a 4-star UVA rating providing all-rounded protection.
It’s water resistant – but no time limit is given. However, the bottle states you should reapply after swimming.
The lotion contains both vitamin E and aloe vera to boost moisturisation, which is a nice touch, and you get 200ml so it’s a good-sized bottle.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF factor: 30 Water-Resistant: Yes Size: 100ml Star ingredients: Aloe Vera, Vitamin E Vegan: Yes
Ultrasun SPF 30 Family
- Ultrasun SPF 30 Family, £21.78 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Suitable for sensitive skin, doesn’t block pores, works on children and adults
Cons: Small bottle, takes a while to sink in, a little sticky
Rating: 4/5
This sunscreen from Ultrasun is billed as one that’s suitable for the whole family and also protects against infrared-A, UVA and UVB rays. The UVA rating is a little complicated – it doesn’t list it as stars, but as PA+++ – which is a rating system that goes from PA+ to PA++++. This lotion is classed as having high UVA protection with its PA+++ rating.
We found the lotion was slow to rub into my skin, although it was light in texture and left a stickiness that lingered. It’s fragrance-free, suitable for sensitive skin and non-comedogenic, so doesn’t block pores. Also, Ultrasun states that dermatologists recommend the hypoallergenic formulation for people who suffer from prickly heat and skin allergies.
The lotion is water-resistant but doesn’t state for how long, and it’s reef-friendly. However, the 100ml bottle isn’t going to last long if you use it on the whole family though.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral & Chemical SPF Factor: 30 Water-Resistant: Yes Size: 100ml Star ingredients: Lamellar technology (new generation sunscreens), Vitamin E and Antioxidant Grape Seed Extract Vegan: Yes
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+
- Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+, £22 from Lookfantastic – buy here
Pros: Inexpensive for the quality, good for sensitive skin, barely-there coverage
Cons: Doesn’t feel overly nourishing
Rating: 3/5
If you’re worried about redness, then the Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is the perfect pick for you. It feels thin like a daytime moisturizer and absorbs fast into the skin, drying down semi-matte.
There’s no white cast and it looks like a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser, with a slight glow and is good for reducing redness from the sun
It feels hydrating but lightweight and nourishing on the skin. It’s best suitable for sensitive skin that is prone to burning. Plus, it’s perfect under makeup and feels like a lightweight primer on the skin.
Review by Aaron Dowler
Type of sunscreen: Chemical SPF Factor: SPF 50+ PA+++ Size: 50ml Star ingredients: Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Glycerin Vegan: Yes
Clinique Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream SPF 30
- Clinique Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream SPF 30,
£24.33£21.86 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Good level of SPF, moisturises
Cons: Sticky, difficult to rub in, leaves a white cast
Rating: 3/5
If you’re like me and enjoy using a moisturiser with SPF, this from Clinique offers good levels of protection from the sun with SPF 30.
The fragrance is pleasant, not overpowering, and the texture of the cream is quite light. However when I applied it, it felt like a suncream, rather than a moisturiser, and it did leave a faint white cast.
It absorbed pretty quickly but 20 minutes or so later, I could still feel the product on my face and it felt slightly sticky. This is a face cream that’s best for holidays, but not as a day-to-day summer moisturiser at home.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral & Chemical SPF Factor: 30 Water-Resistant: No Size: 50ml Star ingredients: Antioxidants and Sunscreens
Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 50
- Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 50, £10.50 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: 5-star UVA protection, cheap price, easy to rub in, no white cast, eco-friendly
Cons: Small tube
Rating: 4/5
If you prefer the security of a high-factor sunscreen for your body, then Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen has an SPF of 50. It sinks into the skin easily and it doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s not thick and sticky as well which is a win-win.
This one is also water resistant, but not sure for how long, so we reapplied it after swimming to ensure full coverage. It’s fragrance-free and offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, for an affordable price.
Our only gripe is that the tube could be bigger – 100ml isn’t going to last long if you’re using it all over your body but you can buy two packs with a deal. It’s vegan, cruelty-free and coral-friendly, and the packaging contains recycled plastic.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral & Chemical SPF Factor: 50 Water- Resistant: Yes Size: 200ml Star ingredients: Tinosorb A2B (advanced sunscreen) Vegan: Yes
Garnier Over Makeup
- Garnier Over Makeup, £13 from Lookfantastic – buy here
Pros: Cooling mist, lightweight, no white cast
Cons: Small bottle
Rating: 4/5
This sun cream from Garnier is perfect for wearing over make-up and topping up your SPF throughout the day.
Featuring SPF 50, you simply spray the sun cream before or after applying makeup to be protected against UV rays, free radicals in pollution and, with its infusion of vitamin E, even dehydration.
This lightweight spray looks transparent on the skin and has a non-greasy finish, making it perfect for applying without messing up any makeup.
For ultimate protection, Garnier recommends applying frequently, particularly after being in water or sweating. It’s got a fine mist that feels particularly refreshing in hot weather and after an eight-hour wear test, showed no signs of interfering with make-up.
While the tube is handy for carrying around in your bag, it is smaller in size and finishes fast if used often, so be sure to stock up on this essential.
Review by Natalie Chui
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF factor: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 75ml Star ingredients: Vitamin E
Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
- Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+, £7.99 from Boots – buy here
Pros: Water-resistant for four hours, no white cast, easy to rub in, cheap price
Cons: 3-star UVA protection
Rating: 3.5/5
Bondi Sands is a big name in self-tan and its sunscreen receives lots of positive reviews. We were impressed at how quickly the lotion absorbed into my skin and there was no white cast afterwards. It’s light, like a body lotion and there’s none of the stickiness you often get with high-factor sun cream.
This one is also fragrance-free but it’s got a subtle coconut fragrance. It contains moisturising vitamin E so the skin feels hydrated throughout the day. We love that it’s water-resistant for four hours so if you forget to reapply after swimming you’re still protected. The lotion is also cruelty-free and reef-friendly. However, it only offers 3-star UVA protection.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF factor: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: Vitamin E
SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30
- SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen, £17.50 from Cult Beauty – buy here
Pros: Non-greasy, no white cast, matte finish
Cons: Small tube
Rating: 4/5
If you’re looking for a sun cream for oily skin, SuperGoop’s Unseen Sunscreen will become your best friend. With SPF 30, it’s an invisible, lightweight formula that won’t clog the skin and will keep it protected all day long. Formulated with skincare in mind, not only does it give you full protection against UVA and UVB rays, it delivers major benefits to the skin.
With a barely-there consistency, it has red Algae infusions which help protect against the harmful effects of Blue Light emitted from electronic devices, while the Meadowfoam Seed Oil increases hydration for a more even skin texture.
At first, it feels different to most sunscreens as it has a more gel-like consistency but once applied, it leaves the face looking smooth and matte, making it the perfect base for makeup.
Unfortunately, it comes in a small bottle so it might not be the best pick if you’re looking to use it on the body. However, it’s definitely a go-to everyday face sun cream.
Review by Natalie Chui
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF Factor: 30 Water-Resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 50ml Star ingredients: Red Algae, Meadowfoam Seed
Malibu SPF 30 Clear Protection Spray
- Malibu SPF 30 Clear Protection Spray,
£8.75£8.49 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Easy to apply, dries quickly, colourless, good price
Cons: 3-star UVA rating
Rating: 3.5/5
This ultra-light spray drys quickly and we found there was no need to rub it into my skin, but it didn’t feel sticky.
We’ve seen a few reviews that mentioned the strong scent, but we thought the fragrance was subtle and slightly fruity.
A spray is easier to apply than a lotion and the great thing about this one is it’s clear, so it doesn’t stain your clothes if your aim is off. The SPF is high, but it only has a 3-star UVA rating, which is disappointing.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF Factor: 30 Water-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: Vitamin E, Pro-Vitamin B5 Vegan: Yes
Clarins Sun Care Cream 50+
- Clarins Sun Care Cream 50+ £28 from Clarins – buy here
Pros: No white cast, hydrating, water and sweat-resistant
Cons: Strong fragrance, greasy, expensive
Rating: 3/5
This sun cream from Clarins has a high UVB of 50+ and UVA protection to European standards (represented on the packaging as UVA in a circle). It’s quite thick to apply and takes a bit of rubbing before it sinks in. Coral reef friendly, it leaves a rather greasy finish for a while afterwards.
The cream is hydrating and contains botanical extracts – Clarins Sun Plant Complex (aloe vera, pea, baobab, plane tree and senna) that help prevent the visible signs of sun-related ageing.
The scent is strong, but it’s not unpleasant. At £28, it’s expensive and the tube is only 150ml, but plenty of Clarins fans will love it.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF Factor: 50 Water-Resistant: Yes Sweat-Resistant: yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: botanical extracts
Clarins Sun Care Lotion Spray 50+
- Clarins Sun Care Lotion Spray 50+, £24.60 from Escentual – buy here
Pros: Moisturising, no white cast, absorbs quickly
Cons: Hard to spray, expensive
Rating: 3.5/5
We preferred this to the cream version as it’s not as thick, so it absorbs easier. However, once the pump is primed it’s really difficult to press, which only became more difficult once we had lotion on our hands.
Like the sun cream, the lotion contains botanical extracts, which moisturise and hydrate your skin, helping prevent sun-related ageing.
The SPF is high and the UVA protection is to European standards. The fragrance is a little too strong, but it’s not unpleasant.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF factor: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: Botanical Extracts
Skin Proud Serious Shade SPF50+ Sunscreen
- Skin Proud Serious Shade SPF50+ Sunscreen, £16.95 from Skin Proud – buy here
Pros: sinks in easily, UVA and UVB protection, SPF50, skincare ingredients, smooth base for makeup, vegan, sustainable, cruelty-free, paraben-free
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
If you’re into skincare that is reasonably priced, simply packaged and still super effective, Skin Proud will be right up your street. The brand started out with just cleansers, toners, exfoliators, serums, moisturisers, treatments and masks, but has since expanded into SPF (and launched Hair Proud and Body Proud, which are pretty self-explanatory).
This cute yellow bottle might only contain 40ml of SPF, but its small size is exactly what makes it the perfect SPF to carry around.
It’s a treat to use because it sinks in quickly, doesn’t leave a greasy finish, and actually makes your skin look silky smooth and glowy. We’d even go as far as to say that it blurred breakouts and made us feel more confident about going makeup-free.
In terms of actual sun protection, it has a factor of 50+ and protects against UVA and UVB rays. And besides that, it contains a whole host of ingredients — like acerola cherry extract and spirulina — to brighten and soothe your skin. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, sustainable, and paraben-free too.
Review by Lisa Burn.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 50+; Water-Resistant: No; Size: 40ml; Star ingredients: Acerola cherry extract and spirulina; Vegan: Yes
Lacura SPF 30 and 50+ Refreshing Dry Mist
Pros: SPF 30 or 50+ UVA and UVB protection, lightweight, cooling mist, no need to rub it in, no white cast, hydrating
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
This dry SPF mist is a lazy person’s dream. All you need to do is spray it on your skin — no rubbing in is required.
The mist is clear and applies semi-dry, so you just have to spray it on your body, wait a few seconds for it to dry completely and then you’re good to go.
We used the SPF30 version at a BBQ during the heatwave and didn’t burn at all. It’s so easy to use that we found ourselves actually wanting to reapply every hour or two so that we were never caught unprotected.
Plus, the fact it’s a mist means it cools you down.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 30 or 50+; Water-Resistant: No; Size: 200ml; Star ingredients: Glycerin; Vegan: No
Lacura Moisturising Sun Spray SPF15. 30 and 50
Pros: Available in factors 15, 30 and 50, absorbs fast, fine mist, UVA and UVB protection, lightweight, no white cast, affordable, rubs in easily, kids version is coloured to make the application more thorough
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Summer holidays are expensive, whether you’re jetting off on an exotic beach trip or entertaining the kids at home, and staying stocked up on SPF is just another expense. Suncream is vital, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on it. Luckily, Aldi is offering 200ml bottles of suncream for just £3.49. And it’s effective, too.
We used the SPF30 bottle of the brand’s Moisturising Sun Spray during a sweltering 31°C day in a pub garden at the weekend, and our skin stayed protected for hours at a time. Reapplying on the exposed areas (shoulders, arms, neck, and legs) every couple of hours was no problem with this SPF because it’s a spray, so it’s not too messy, leaves no white cast, and the application process cooled us down.
Each bottle contains about six full applications for an average adult, so even though you’d need to buy a fair few bottles to last you throughout the summer, it’s still pretty cheap. Aldi sells this product in SPF 15, SPF 30 and SPF 50, and also make a kid-friendly version that is SPF50+ and is slightly grey tinted to show you where it has been applied and ensure full coverage.
Both the adult and kids versions of this spray contain the humectant glycerin, meaning they all have hydrating and moisturising properties too.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 15, 30 or 50; Water-Resistant: Yes; Size: 200ml; Star ingredients: Glycerin; Vegan: No
Lacura SPF 30 Moisturising Sun Lotion Mini
Pros: UVA and UVB protection, compact bottle, hydrating, lightweight, no white cast, affordable, rubs in easily, kids version is extra sensitive
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
If you’re after a mini bottle of sunscreen to keep in your pocket or handbag for on-the-go touch-ups, look no further. Aldi has an adults SPF30 moisturising sun lotion, and a kids SPF50 version, both in compact 50ml bottles.
The actual product is pleasant to use, sinking into the skin effortlessly and requiring very minimal rubbing in. Neither leaves a white cast or greasy film, plus they contain glycerin to hydrate and moisturise your skin.
Review by Isabel Deibe.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical; SPF Factor: 30 or 50; Water-Resistant: Yes; Size: 50ml; Star ingredients: Glycerin; Vegan: No
Where to buy sun creams in the UK?
Sun creams are easy to find and you can find most products on the high street or online. Most major shops will have general sun creams available, but if you’re after specific sun creams for tanning or for sensitive skin, beauty shops will have more niche products that can tailor to your needs. In addition, most shops will stock travel-sized versions which is perfect if you need one for your cabin bag. Here’s a list of some of the best online shops.
How much do sunscreens cost?
Sun creams can range from about £5 up to around £30 but you can find plenty under £20.
Some of the cheapest sunscreen brands include Altruist, Malibu and Bondi Sands, which have plenty of formulations under £10.
The cheaper sunscreens will include active ingredients that provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and will be enough to keep your skin shielded from the sun.
More expensive sunscreens will have formulations that include higher-end ingredients to deliver additional benefits to the skin such as Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and other antioxidants.