AS summer approaches and the sun’s rays become ever stronger, now is the time to think about applying sun cream daily.
The best sun creams will protect your skin from being badly affected by too much sun, which can result in burning, flaking and discolouration.
A great sun cream can also help prevent future damage to your skin, such as age spots and wrinkles and is worth adding to your skincare regime.
Choose a broad-spectrum product that shields against UVA and UVB rays, and the NHS recommends we use at least factor 30 sunscreen between March and October, especially between 11am and 3pm.
When choosing a sun cream you should consider whether you prefer a chemical or mineral formula, a spray, lotion or roll-on and how your skin reacts.
There are products available for different skin types, including sensitive, oily and dry.
If you are on holiday or regularly swim outside you will need a waterproof version, and there are also plenty of sunscreens for kids.
It can be a bit of a minefield to decide the best sun cream option for you, but we have put several popular products to the test to help you narrow down your search.
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+
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 many 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 for 2025
Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30
Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30, £6 from Superdrug
Pros: Affordable price, 5-star UVA protection, easily absorbed, large size, eco-friendly
Cons: None
Rating: 4.5/5
Altruist sun cream is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection and 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. 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 Ambre Solaire Over Makeup Super UV Protection Mist
Garnier Over Makeup, £8.71 (was £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
Malibu Sun SPF 30 Lotion, High Protection Sun Cream 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 (was £10.99) 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+, £10.99 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 also gets 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 has a subtle coconut fragrance. It contains moisturising vitamin E so the skin feels hydrated throughout the day.
I 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.
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, £29 from Boots
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 left a faint white cast.
It absorbed pretty quickly, but 20 minutes later I could still feel the product on my face and it felt slightly sticky.
This face cream is 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+, £29 from Boots
Pros: No white cast, hydrating, water and sweat-resistant
Cons: Strong fragrance, greasy, expensive
Rating: 3/5
This sun cream from Clarins has a UVB of 50+ and UVA protection which is high according 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.
The coral reef-friendly formula 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
Best sun creams FAQs
(Click the links below to navigate)
- Which is the best sun cream?
- What is the best sun cream for the face?
- Is SPF 30 or 50 better for daily use?
- What is the best sun cream for older skin?
- Should I wear face sunscreen every day?
Which is the best sun cream?
In our best sun cream roundup the Altruist Dermatologist Sunscreen SPF 30 came out on top thanks to its 5-star UVA protection, great absorption and eco-friendly credentials.
But the best sunscreen for you will depend on your skin type and the level of protection you want.
For example, if you’re swimming or sitting in a pool on holiday, you will need a waterproof sun cream.
If your skin is sensitive then a fragrance-free product might suit you.
If you’re likely to forget to reapply sunscreen it makes sense to go for an SPF 50, but you will still need to reapply it throughout the day.
Most people do not use enough sun cream, so make sure to apply lots of it regularly.
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 too drying.
What is the best sun cream for the face?
The best facial sun cream will protect against UVA and UVB rays, it will be easy to apply and absorb into your skin and won’t block your pores.
Consider including a sun cream in your skincare regime, either with a moisturiser or primer that includes coverage and is designed to go under make-up.
or as an extra layer to protect your face and neck from the sun, sun creams like the Garnier Ambre Solaire Over Makeup Super UV Protection Mist are suitable for applying on top of make-up and can be easily reapplied during the day.
Some anti-ageing moisturisers contain SPF and are often lighter in texture like the Clinique Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream we tested in this roundup.
They usually 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.
Is SPF 30 or 50 better for daily use?
SPF 30 is the minimum sunscreen factor you should use daily, 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 higher is an 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.
It helps even out skin tone and can lessen the appearance of age spots; vitamin C is also an antioxidant so it helps protect skin from premature ageing.
Antioxidant 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 many Brits would only use sunscreen during the summer months.
However, opinions and habits are changing and many sun cream brands recommend wearing UVA and UVB protection daily, year-round.
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 can 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 sun cream every day.
You could opt for a moisturiser containing an SPF, a primer or a sunscreen designed to be sprayed over your make-up.
[boxout headline=”Don’t miss out…”]
Visit The Sun’s shopping beauty hub for more news, tips and beauty deals.
For more discounts and recommendations from the Sun Shopping team, sign up to our newsletter and join the WhatsApp group.