11 best SPF 50 sun creams for the ultimate protection
WHEN the sun shines everyone wants to get outside and enjoy the heat.
But, whether you’re firing up the barbecue, jumping in the pool or heading to the beach it’s crucial to make sure you and your family are protected.
The highest forms of protection available on the market offer SPF 50 or SPF 50+.
SPF 50 provides 98% protection from UVB rays, as opposed to 96.7% offered by SPF 30 sun creams.
The higher SPF will also offer twice as much protection against UV radiation.
While SPF 30 does provide a high level of protection, SPF 50 is the safer option for protecting against sun damage and is recommended for children as well as those with sensitive or mature skin.
Luckily there are plenty of products offering this highest level of protection and we’ve tested some of the best on the market.
Best SPF 50 sun cream
- Best overall: Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk
- Best for sensitive skin: Childs Farm SPF 50+ Sun Cream
- Best for mature skin: Piz Buin Moisturising Sun Lotion
- Best for children: Altruist Dermatologist Family Sunspray
- Best for hydration: COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk
Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk, £27.95 from Organii
Pros: Suitable for the whole family, mineral protection
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 5/5
Organii’s SPF 50 sun milk has a mineral formula that sits on top of the skin, reflecting the sun’s rays.
This creates a barrier against both UVA and UVB rays and is particularly recommended for children and those with sensitive skin.
The lotion absorbs very quickly, has a lovely, fresh fragrance and is very gentle.
Organii’s formula is enriched with organic argan, jojoba, sunflower and olive fruit, which left my skin feeling really moisturised even after a day in the sunshine.
The organic brand says it is water resistant, but reapplication is recommended after swimming.
This is a really nice product that feels great for adults and kids alike.
SPF: 50 Water resistant: Yes Vegan: Yes Size: 125ml; Mineral/chemical: Mineral
Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist
Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist, £32 from Space NK
Pros: Good for application over makeup, comes in a mini size
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 5/5
Ultra Violette is one of the trendiest suncare brands on the market, and its brand-new SPF 50 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 to skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, Vitamin C and E, and aloe vera.
Since I first got my hands on this product, it’s been on my desk or in my cross-body bag at all times. I 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
Altruist Dermatologist Family Sunspray
Altruist Dermatologist SPF50 Family Sunspray (250ml), £12.25 from Amazon
Pros: Easy-to-use spray, good value, quick to apply
Cons: Clinical packaging, spray can be messy, bulky to carry
Rating: 4.5/5
Designed by a UK dermatologist, the Altruist brand has earned a glowing reputation for its excellent sun protection products.
This Family Sunspray is suitable for babies from six months. It has five-star ultra UVA rating and delivers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
I’m generally not a fan of sunscreen sprays as they tend to be messy and get cream on towels, bags and clothes, but my kids loved this.
The nine-year-old and six-year-old had no problem using the trigger spray on themselves (and each other!).
The consistency of the cream is lightweight and it absorbs quickly without stickiness. Plus, the lotion is dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic and water-resistant.
As well as the spray, there is a 100ml tube available.
Review by Clare Mellor.
SPF: 50; Water resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Size: 250ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Smooth Lotion
La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Smooth Lotion SPF 50+, £20.72 from La Roche Posay
Pros: Feels lightweight and hydrating, easy to apply, water and sweat-resistant
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
Made by French pharmaceutical brand La Roche-Posay, this kids’ sun lotion offers a very high level of protection (SPF 50+), especially for sensitive and fragile skin types.
The formula has a patented sun filtering system called Mexoplex® which is combined with La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, which is a skin-soothing antioxidant.
The main thing that I noticed when applying this to the kids’ skin, is how smooth and hydrating it feels – more like a moisturiser than a sun cream – and not at all greasy or sticky.
The texture is ultra-light, almost like water, and is suitable for the face and body. Plus, it’s fragrance-free and water, sweat, and sand resistant.
Review by Clare Mellor.
Type: Cream SPF: 50 Water-resistant:
Piz Buin Moisturising Sun Lotion
Piz Buin Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF 50+, £7 from Boots
Pros: Moisturising, high level of protection, sweat and water resistance
Cons: Slightly sticky after applying
Rating: 4.5/5
Piz Buin’s SPF 50+ sun cream doesn’t just give protection against UVA and UVB rays, its triple resistance formula also protects skin against aggressors like chlorine, sea and salt water.
As well as this it’s packed full of antioxidants to prevent premature skin ageing and is sweat and water resistant.
I thought this sun cream was a little sticky at first, but once fully absorbed it sat on the skin lightly and was really moisturising.
It’s also sweat and water resistant so you wont have to reapply as often.
Reapplying through the day this cream kept my skin soft despite the heat and at £7 a bottle, it is great value.
SPF: 50+ Water resistant: Yes Sweat resistant: Yes Size: 200ml
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Childs Farm SPF 50+ Sun Cream
Childs Farm SPF 50+ Sun Cream, £10 from Boots
Pros: Suitable from birth and for sensitive skin, socially-responsible ingredients
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 4.5/5
Child’s Farm develops products for children’s delicate skin so its sun cream range is ideal for kids and babies with dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
The sun cream is water-resistant with an SPF rating of 50+, protecting against UVB and UVA rays. It absorbs quickly and offers instant protection.
It feels very light when applying and I found that a little went a long way.
It’s also made from socially-responsible and naturally derived ingredients.
SPF: 50 Water resistant: Yes Vegan: Yes Size: 50ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+, £22 from Beauty Bay
Pros: Inexpensive for the quality, good for sensitive skin, barely-there coverage
Cons: Doesn’t feel overly nourishing
Rating: 4/5
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is a hydrating cream that offers superior protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
It has a mineral formula that forms a SPF 50+, PA+++ barrier on the skin against UVA and UVB rays.
It feels thin like a daytime moisturiser and absorbs quickly into the skin, drying down semi-matte.
Once absorbed it provides barely their coverage and I found a little cream goes a long way.
It’s very hydrating and the aloe vera soothes red, dry and irritated skin, although it’s not as moisturising as others tested.
Type of sunscreen: Chemical; SPF: SPF 50+ PA+++; Size: 50ml;Vegan: Yes
Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion
Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion (200ml), £4.50 from Boots
Pros: Budget-friendly, roll-on available
Cons: Slightly oily feel on application
Rating: 4/5
When it comes to budget-friendly sun protection, Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion is a great choice.
It offers SPF 50 protection and a five-star UVA rating. It’s also hypoallergenic and water-resistant, making it a great companion for summer days spent in the garden with the paddling pool.
The consistency of the cream is fairly light, plus it has a pleasant, faint smell, which my mini-testers liked. It initially sunk in quickly, and although it left a slightly oily residue, this disappeared after a few minutes.
In terms of look and feel, it’s not the most sophisticated on the market, but for the price and the level of sun protection it provides, it’s a total bargain.
Soltan also sent us the Kids Suncare Roll-on, £4, to try, which my testers adored as they could apply it themselves, making the whole process quick and tantrum-free.
Review by Clare Mellor.
SPF: 50; Water resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes, Size: 200ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
Ultrasun 50+ kids Sun Cream
Ultrasun Kids SPF 50+, £32 from Ultrasun
Pros: Suitable from birth and for sensitive skin types, easy to apply and non-greasy
Cons: Expensive at £32 for £150ml, a little bit sticky
Rating: 4/5
Ultrasun offers powerful sun protection and is a great choice for youngsters with sensitive skin.
The formula protects against the entire light spectrum with UVB (SPF50+), UVA (95%) and Infrared-A protection plus the active ingredient, Celligent® neutralises free radicals which can damage skin cells.
It was easy to use and one bottle should get you through your summer holiday.
It went onto my kids’ skin smoothly and absorbed quickly but it felt a little bit thicker than some of the other sun creams I tried.
It did absorb quickly but their skin felt a tiny bit sticky after application.
However, it didn’t feel oily or greasy and the consistency gave you a confidence that it was providing some serious protection for delicate young skin.
SPF: 50; Water resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Size: 150ml; Mineral/chemical: Mineral
Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+
Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+, £8.24 from Lookfantastic
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.
I 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 I was a little disappointed to see that it only offers 3-star UVA protection.
Review by Lisa Burn.
SPF: 50 Water-Resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml
NIVEA Sun Kids Protect & Care SPF 50+ Coloured Spray
NIVEA Sun Kids Protect & Care SPF 50+ Coloured Spray, £7 from Amazon
Pros: Coloured formula, water-resistant, good value
Cons: Slightly sticky/tacky, strong scent, not vegan
Rating: 3/5
Developed specifically for children’s skin, this sun spray comes out a vivid blue, so it’s much easier to identify exactly where it’s landed on your child’s skin, avoiding any accidental patches of sunburn.
Once sprayed on my testers, they enjoyed rubbing in the colourful lotion until it disappeared. The formula itself is very lightweight and soaked in fairly quickly, although skin felt tacky for slightly longer than other sprays.
It had one of the strongest scents of the bunch, although it was pleasant and it reminded me of holidays.
The brand claims this lotion is ‘extra water-resistant’, and it has an SPF rating of 50+ and a UVA rating of four stars, providing immediate protection against UVA and UVB rays.
SPF: 50; Water resistant: Yes; Vegan: No; Size: 200ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
How we tested these products
All sun creams have been tested by a member of The Sun’s team. They were all worn for at least one day and the testers considered factors including the application of the cream or spray, the level of protection it offered, scent, feel and how often reapplication was required.
Where to buy SPF 50 sunscreens in the UK
You can buy kids sunscreen at many online retailers including: