If there's one thing that doctors, dermatologists, beauty experts and Baz Luhrmann all agree on, it’s the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. If you don't slap on the sun cream when you're outside – even in Blighty on a cloudy day – you put yourself at risk of sunburn and premature skin ageing, both of which increase your chances of developing skin cancers.
Not all sun creams are alike, however. Needless to say, it pays to invest in a quality product that can do the job effectively, and give you peace of mind whether you're hitting the beach, the park or your back garden.
There are also products designed to suit specific concerns, such as sensitive or acne-prone skin, as well as water-resistant and child-friendly options. You may also prefer an oil, a spray or mousse to the traditional cream. Whatever you choose, the most important thing to get to grips with is the level of protection the product offers. If you don't know your SPFs from your UVAs and UVBs, we shed some light on what to look out for with our handy buying guide below.
How to choose the right sun cream for you
When it comes to sun cream, it’s all about SPF – that is, the sun protection factor. A product’s SPF rating indicates the amount of protection it provides against ultraviolet B radiation (UVB), which is the main cause of sunburn. The scale runs from 2 to 50+ – the latter being the strongest form of UVB protection available. To put that into context, SPF 15 sun cream blocks around 93% of UVB radiation, while SPF 50+ blocks around 98%. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends you use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
What's the difference between UVB and UVA rays?
The sun emits two types of ultraviolet radiation. UVB is responsible for sunburn and can increase the risk of skin cancers, while UVA affects the skin's elastin, leading to wrinkles and premature ageing (although it’s also linked to developing skin cancers). Sun creams carry a star rating from 0 to 5, which indicates how much UVA radiation they absorb, relative to UVB radiation. Sunscreens that offer strong protection against both UVB and UVA radiation are termed “broad spectrum” products.
What ingredients should I look out for?
Sun creams fall into two categories: chemical sunscreens, which convert UV rays into heat, and physical sunscreens, which contain mineral ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect the UV rays away. Chemical formulas tend to be thinner, so they're easy to apply on a daily basis – although you should wait at least 20 minutes for the product to soak in before heading out into the sun. Physical sunscreens are less likely to clog pores, so they're better for sensitive and blemish-prone skins, but they can rub off easily and may leave white marks on the skin. Some sunscreens combine chemical and physical formulas for a belt-and-braces approach.
Are once-a-day sun creams effective?
A sun cream that promises all-day protection from just one application may sound like the stuff of holiday dreams – but be aware that activities like swimming or even just reclining on a sunlounger can cause the cream to rub off. In reality you may need to reapply several times throughout the day to stay protected. Still, this kind of product is your best bet if (for example) you’re heading off to work in an environment where you can’t top up your sunscreen throughout the day.
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The best sun creams you can buy
1. Garnier Ambre Solaire Dry Mist Sun Cream Spray SPF 50+ 200ml: Best all-rounder
Price when reviewed:£9 (200ml) | Buy now from Boots
Affordable, easy to apply and suitable for all skin types, this dry spray from Ambre Solaire scores highly on all fronts. It dispenses as a fine mist, and you can spray at any angle so it’s great for protecting those tricky-to-reach body parts – not to mention hosing down hyperactive kids. The SPF 50+ formulation is designed for sensitive skins, so there's no alcohol and it's both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores.
2. SunSense Kids Roll On with SPF 50 50ml: Best for kids
Price when reviewed:£9.28 (50ml) | Buy now from Ocado
Gloopy lotions don’t mix well with sand, so if you’re travelling with children, we'd recommend using a spray or a roll on to slather on the SPF. This deodorant-style applicator from Aussie brand SunSense is simple to use with one hand, and the small 50ml bottle is handy to slip into your changing bag or carry-on suitcase. Offering both UVB and UVA protection, it has an SPF of 50 with a three-star UVA rating. It's unscented, water-resistant for up to four hours and specially formulated for delicate skins, so it can be used on babies from six months.
3. Avène Very High Protection Cream SPF 50+ Spray 200ml: Best for sensitive skin
Price when reviewed:£12.73 (200ml) | Buy now from Boots
If you're susceptible to redness, allergies or prickly heat – or have very fair skin – it's best to keep things simple on the sun protection front. This high-coverage cream from French skincare brand Avène is free from fragrance, parabens and chemical filters, and is also non-comedogenic. It may be thick, but this broad-spectrum SPF 50+ product feels light and soothing on the skin and is easy to apply via a spray pump dispenser
4. Alpha-H Daily Moisturiser SPF 50+ 50ml: Best facial sun cream
Price when reviewed:£29 (50ml) | Buy now from lookfantastic.com
It may seem pricey, but this lightweight cream doubles up as both an excellent moisturiser and a high-coverage SPF 50+ sun cream. It's good for all skin types, offering a healthy dose of hydration without feeling greasy. Enriched with vitamin E, aloe vera and honeycomb extract, it has antioxidant properties and leaves a matte finish, so it also works well as a make-up base – and it's easy to control how much you're applying using the nifty pump dispenser. Incorporating a daily SPF moisturiser into your routine can save you minutes in the morning as well as freeing up space in your toiletry bag, and it's a great way of protecting your face from the sun without even thinking about it.
5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel SPF 50 50ml: Best for acne-prone skin
Price when reviewed:£14.28 (50ml) | Buy now from Boots
If you’re prone to acne you might feel hesitant about adding an extra layer of product to your skincare mix – but this super lightweight formulation has been specially developed for oily and sensitive skin types. It's hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and free from preservatives, parabens and fragrance, and it mattifies quickly on application to help combat shiny T-zones. One of the standout ingredients is Air Licium, which forms a resistant layer on the skin's surface and has the capacity to absorb up to 100x its weight in water as well as excess sebum.
6. Ultrasun Sports Gel SPF 30 100ml: Best water-resistant sun cream
Price when reviewed:£14 (100ml) | Buy now from QVC
Designed for active types, this clear, non-greasy gel from Swiss brand Ultrasun rubs in smoothly and sinks in quickly. It offers SPF30 protection for up to eight hours and is water-resistant – although as always, it's best to reapply after lengthy swimming sessions. It's free from fragrance, mineral oil, silicones and preservatives and can be used for up to two years after opening, so it could well see you through more than one holiday. It also contains antioxidants (including grape seed extract) which may offer an extra layer of protection against harmful infrared rays (IR) as well as UVA and UVB rays.
