We’ll continue to scream it from the rooftops: sunscreen is the most important skin-care product you’ll own and use, both on your face and your body. Wearing sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, which prevents skin cancer and ageing, and also helps to minimise other facial skin concerns including hyperpigmentation, rosacea, sun spots, and fine lines. As the summer months approach, it’s especially important to stock up on some decent sunscreen formulas for the body that you’ll actually use – and even enjoy using.
We know the road to finding the perfect SPF is often one filled with trial and error, which can be both daunting and expensive. But that’s why we’re here to help.
There are a few things to consider when it comes to finding the right SPF to slather all over your body this summer. First, which application method do you prefer? Spray, bottle, or stick? Next, what’s important when it comes to formula? Water resistant, transparent colour, or something not greasy? Do you want a mineral or chemical sunscreen formula? Those with skin conditions like rosacea tend to do better with a mineral sunscreen as they cause less irritation, but those with darker skin tones will often find that mineral formulas leave a white cast. And finally, what factor do you want? Experts recommend a minimum of SPF 30, so we’ve included nothing below that in our list.
Keep reading to shop the 14 sunscreens for the body that our editors keep going back to year after year.
boots.com
Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
Aside from being an easy-to-use formula with a nongreasy or sticky finish, the Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray (£18) smells incredible, which is honestly reason enough to use it. Think: tropical holiday with a piña colada in hand.
facethefuture.co.uk
Heliocare 360 Invisible Spray SPF 50
If you’re looking for a fast-absorbing, invisible formula to wear on active days out, you’ll love the Heliocare 360 Invisible Spray SPF 50 (£27). The aerosol SPF is broad spectrum, leaves no white cast, is sweat resistant, and even works well on damp skin. Plus, it smells very faintly like peaches.
spacenk.com
Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+
A new addition to our summer beauty arsenal, the Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+ (£27) is one of the most elegant sunscreens out there right now. It’s super lightweight, fast absorbing, and sweat resistant. It also contains aloe vera, vitamin E, and pentavitin, which all work to soothe and hydrate the skin. The formula also contains a subtle shimmer, which adds an extra elegance.
altruistsun.com
Altruist Sunscreen SPF 30
I personally found out about Altruist through consultant dermatologist Dr. Mary Sommerlad and have been impressed ever since. She spoke about the incredible ethos behind the brand, which works to support children with albinism in Africa to make sure they have the sun protection they need. I particularly love the Altruist Sunscreen SPF 30 (£4.50) since it is so affordable but doesn’t lack in elegance and has very little scent. Dr. Sommerlad noted that it leaves minimal white cast, too.
boots.com
Garnier Hypoallergenic Dry Mist Sun Cream Spray SPF 50
The Garnier Hypoallergenic Dry Mist Sun Cream Spray SPF 50 (£8) is an excellent, affordable aerosol SPF tailored specifically towards sensitive skin types. It’s incredibly lightweight (just make sure you apply enough to be fully protected from the sun!) and not one bit sticky.
richskxn.co.uk
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
The Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 (£19) is designed specifically for darker skin tones to be ultrasheer and leave no white cast. It’s fragrance-, oxybenzone-, and octinoxate-free if you’re keen to avoid those ingredients in your sun care, and it works on both the body and face.
lookfantastic.com
Bioderma Photoderm Light Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
The Bioderma Photoderm Light Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ (£19) is one of our favourite no-fuss formulas, which, honestly, is sometimes just the ticket when it comes to SPF. It is water resistant, doesn’t feel thick or heavy on skin, and doesn’t have a particularly strong sunscreen scent to it. The bottle design also makes it easy to use even when you have slippery hands from rubbing SPF into your skin.
boots.com
Soltan Protect & Repel Lotion SPF 50+
The Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF 50+ (£4) is a great option if you’re often out on adventures or travelling. It has got UVA and UVB protection, is water resistant, and moisturises.
feelunique.com / Pixelate
Ultrasun Super Sensitive High SPF 30 Family Formula
If you often find you’re super sensitive with sunscreen but don’t like mineral formulas, we like the Ultrasun Super Sensitive High SPF 30 (£20) as the formula is specially designed to help people with sensitive skin and who experience prickly heat. It’s not greasy or sticky, but it does leave a slight white cast and has to be worked into skin quite a lot to absorb, which is something to bear in mind.
boots.com
Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Care Protective Lotion SPF 30
We adore the Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Care Protective Lotion SPF 30 (£7) pretty much for its scent alone, the classic Hawaiian Tropic coconut fragrance that screams summer. It also has a great formula, though. It is fast-absorbing and leaves a matte finish on skin.
cultbeauty.co.uk
Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick SPF 50+
If you prefer a solid formula, the Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick SPF 50+ (£28) is an ideal candidate for leaving zero residue or cast. Although it’s a stick formula, it is lightweight and also water- and sweat-resistant.
alittlefind.com
Hello Sunday The Essential One Body Cream SPF 50
The Hello Sunday The Essential One Body Cream SPF 50 (£16) might be the newbie on the block, but it certainly has us impressed already. It doesn’t have a traditional sunscreen scent; instead, it contains notes of lime, geranium, and mint for a super-uplifting fragrance. It does have a white cast to begin with, but that disappears once it’s fully absorbed. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
tropicskincare.com
Tropic Great Barrier Sun Lotion SPF 50
The Tropic Great Barrier Sun Lotion SPF 50 (£28) is lightweight and isn’t sticky, and although it’s a chemical and mineral hybrid, it’s nonirritating for sensitive skin types. The formula also contains coconut extracts and vitamin E to hydrate your skin whilst protecting it.
cultbeauty.co.uk
Ren Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30
Dr. Sommerlad also rated the Ren Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 (£33). Great for oilier skin types, this formula dries down to a matte finish, which is ideal for the summer months. It’s also slightly fragranced if you like to avoid that classic sunscreen scent. However, this formula takes quite a lot of effort to blend into the skin to avoid a white cast.
