AS summer approaches and the sun’s rays become ever stronger, now’s the time to be thinking about sunscreen.
Your skin can be badly affected by too much sun – burning, flaking, discolouration – so you need to protect it and the best sun creams available will do just that.
Not only do they offer protection in the moment, but they also help prevent future damage to your skin, such as age spots and wrinkles.
Choose a broad-spectrum product that shields against UVA and UVB rays, and go for at least factor 30, though factor 50 is better, especially for your face.
There’s apparently not that much difference between them in terms of protection, but there is still some difference, so err on the side of caution.
As the days get longer and temperatures rise, we tend to spend more time outdoors, but even just day-to-day routines, such as walking to work or walking to the shops, exposes us to potential damage.
Consider including a sunscreen in your skincare regime, either by using a moisturiser or primer containing it, or as an extra layer to protect your face and neck from the sun.
Anti-ageing moisturisers may well contain SPF but how much protection they provide depends on how much of the product you apply, so generally speaking, adding a facial sunscreen makes sense.
The NHS recommends we use at least factor 30 sunscreen between March and October, especially between 11am and 3pm.
The factor or SPF guards against UVB rays, but UVA rays also cause damage. For that reason your sunscreen should also show four or five stars, (or display the letters UVA inside a circle to show it meets EU recommendations).
When choosing a sun cream other points to consider could include whether you prefer chemical or mineral, how your skin reacts – there are products available for different skin types, including sensitive, oily and dry – will you be swimming and need a waterproof version, and do you need a sunscreen for children.
Then there’s the options of spray, lotion and roll-on, as well as cream and that’s before you get to price and cheaper versus more expensive brands.
It can be a bit of a minefield.
To help you choose, we have put a number of popular products to the test, so read on for our thoughts on the best sun creams available in the UK right now.
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 our testers took a number of factors into account when rating the products.
These included how easy the cream or spray was to apply, the level of protection it offered, the fragrance and feel on the skin, and how often they needed to reapply the product.
Best sun creams at a glance:
- Best overall sun cream: Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30
- Best budget sun cream: Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
- Best non-greasy sunscreen: Garnier Over Makeup
- Best SPF 30 sunscreen: Malibu Sun Lotion SPF 30
- Best for family: Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+
Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30
Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30, £11.50 from Amazon
Pros: Affordable price, 5-star UVA protection, easily absorbed, large size, eco-friendly
Cons: None
Rating: 4.5/5
This sun cream is amazing value. 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, I 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. I 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 I’ll be using again.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral & Chemical SPF Factor: 30 Water-Resistant: Yes Size: 200ml Star ingredients: Tinosorb A2B (advanced sunscreen) Vegan: Yes
Review by Lisa Burn
Garnier Over Makeup
Garnier Over Makeup, £13 from Lookfantastic
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.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF factor: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 75ml Star ingredients: Vitamin E
Review by Natalie Chui
READ MORE:
- Best SPF for faces
- Best sunscreens for under makeup
- Best vitamin C serums
- Best sunscreens for black skin
- Tula skincare review
Malibu Sun Lotion SPF 30
Malibu Sun Lotion SPF 30, £6.27 from Amazon
Pros: Cheap price, good sized bottle, moisturising, water-resistant
Cons: None
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
Review by Lisa Burn
Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+
Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+, £8.79 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.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF Factor: 50 Water-Resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: Ethically Sourced Algae
Review by Lisa Burn
Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+, £7.99 from Boots
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. I was 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. I loved 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.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF factor: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Sweat-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: Vitamin E
Review by Lisa Burn
Clinique Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream SPF 30
Clinique Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream SPF 30, £22 from Amazon
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.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral & Chemical SPF Factor: 30 Water-Resistant: No Size: 50ml Star ingredients: Antioxidants and Sunscreens Star ingredients: Tinosorb A2B (advanced sunscreen) Vegan: Yes
Review by Lisa Burn
Clarins Sun Care Cream 50+
Clarins Sun Care Cream 50+ £28 from Clarins
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 Clarins fans will love it.
Type of Sunscreen: Chemical SPF Factor: 50 Water-Resistant: Yes Sweat-Resistant: yes Size: 150ml Star ingredients: botanical extracts
Review by Lisa Burn
Which is the best sun cream?
The best sunscreen will depend on the individual, the circumstances and the wearer’s skin type.
For example, if you’re going swimming or you’re sitting in a pool, then you will need a waterproof product, if your skin is sensitive then a fragrance-free product might suit you.
If you’re likely to forget to reapply sunscreen then it makes sense to go for an SPF 50. You will still need to reapply this regularly, but it does give you extra time to do so.
You should also be happy with the fragrance and feel of the product as you will be wearing it for many hours.
Check whether the texture is right for you. Some mineral sunscreens leave a white cast and are difficult to rub into your skin, but chemical-based products may be drying or you may be sensitive to certain ingredients.
The form of the sunscreen will also depend on preference – a lotion, oil, cream or spray? Perhaps a roll-on? Do you want it invisible or do you want to see the product to make sure you’re applying it properly?
Most people do not use enough sun cream at any one time so make sure to apply lots of it and often.
What is the best sun cream for the face?
The best facial sun cream will contain protection against both UVA and UVB rays, it will be easy to apply and absorb quickly, it won’t block your pores and it will suit your skin type.
Though you can use body sun creams on your face and neck, you would be better to go for a dedicated product, one that’s designed specifically for skincare.
These are often lighter in texture and contain other ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid (which locks moisture into the skin), niacinamide for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, or vitamin C, which helps protect against sun damage and reduces the appearance of dark spots.
Some facial sunscreens are designed to go under make-up while others are suitable for applying on top of make-up and can be easily reapplied during the day.
Is SPF 30 or 50 better for daily use?
SPF 30 is the minimum sunscreen factor you should be using every day, but many people opt for even more protection with an SPF 50 product.
The difference between the two is not much – factor 50 blocks out 98% of rays and factor 30 blocks out 97%.
That said, if you have fair skin, work outdoors or spend most of your days in the sun, cream with an SPF of 50 or even higher, would be the obvious choice.
Whether you go for SPF 30 or SPF 50 you should apply it at least 20 minutes before going outside then reapply it every two hours, more if you’re swimming.
Always use an SPF50 sunscreen with at least four-star UVA protection on children.
What is the best sun cream for older skin?
As we get older our skin naturally becomes more lined – often the result of too much sun exposure when we were younger.
The key is to prevent any further damage and protect our skin the way it is now.
Bearing that in mind look for products that include added ingredients when choosing the best sun cream for older skin.
Vitamin C has a protective effect on the skin and can enhance the performance of sun cream, but should not be used instead of it, rather in conjunction with you preferred sunscreen.
It helps even out skin tone and can lessen the appearance of age spots; vitamin C is also an antioxidant so helps protect skin from premature ageing.
Anti-oxidant vitamin E has a protective effect, while hyaluronic acid is celebrated for its ability to hold moisture in the skin.
Other ingredients to look out for in sun cream include niacinamide to calm and protect the skin, glycerine to moisturise, peptides and ceramides to support collagen production and strengthen the skin.
Should I wear face sunscreen every day?
Not so long ago in the UK we would have used sunscreen during the summer but not worried about it so much in winter.
Now however, opinions are changing and many sunscreen brands recommend wearing UVA and UVB protection every day.
This is because it doesn’t need to be sunny for rays to damage your skin – even on cloudy days your skin could be affected.
Over the years this could lead to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and even skin cancer.
Both the NHS and Cancer Research recommend wearing sunscreen from mid March to mid October.
But when it comes to your face, which is exposed to the elements more than other parts of your body, it makes sense to use a sunscreen every day.
You could opt for a moisturiser containing an SPF, a primer or a sunscreen designed to be sprayed over your make-up.
