Best sun creams for 2024: Which? Best Buys

Our rigorous reviews identify the best sun creams that pass British Standard tests for UVA and UVB sun protection – so you can rely on our Which? Best Buys to look after your skin. 

In our expert guide, we also explain how sun creams work and how often you need to apply them.

Find out what you need to know about 'once a day' sun creams, water-resistant sun creams, sensitive sun screen and the best kids' sun cream too. 

To see how popular branded sun creams fared in our tests, including the cheap supermarket versions that passed with flying colours, see our top picks below - or find the full selection in our sun cream reviews.

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Best sun creams

We award Which? Best Buy status to products that we've independently reviewed that meet all our tough criteria: they must pass independent lab tests for UVA and UVB sun protection, and be easy and pleasant to apply. 

These are our top picks from our tests of adults SPF 30 sunscreens and kids SPF 50+ sun cream:

Looking for the best cheap sun creams? See our 'Great Value' picks in our sun cream reviews.

Sun creams to avoid

Shockingly, our sun screen tests regularly uncover sun creams that fail UVA or UVB tests (in some cases, both) meaning they don't provide the protection they claim. These are the ones to steer clear of: 

To see the full list of sun creams tested, head to our sun cream reviews.

SPF, UVA and UVB ratings explained

What does SPF mean?

The sun protection factor (SPF) indicates the amount of protection sun creams offer against UVB radiation. It tells you how much longer skin that's covered with the sun cream takes to redden in response to UV, compared with unprotected skin.

What factor sun cream should I use?

The NHS and Cancer Research UK both recommend you pick a product with an SPF of at least 15, while the British Association of Dermatologists suggests we opt for at least SPF30. If your skin burns easily, it's best to stay on the safe side and opt for a higher SPF.

What are UVA and UVB?

UVA (ultraviolet A) is a type of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which has been linked with premature ageing. Both UVA and UVB have been linked with skin cancer.

UVB (ultraviolet B) is another type of radiation from the sun and is the main cause of sunburn. It has a shorter wavelength than UVA.

What does the UVA seal mean?

The UVA seal indicates that a product meets the EU recommendation for sun creams to offer a UVA protection factor equivalent to at least a third of their SPF. 

However, some products display the Boots star rating for UVA instead– the protection claimed by these products is higher than the minimum required by the EU.

Chemical vs physical (mineral) sun screen

Sun cream provides protection from sunlight using UV filters. These are classified into two types: chemical and physical – also known as mineral sun cream. 

Sun creams may use one type of UV filter or a combination of the two types. 

While chemical and physical UV filters have the same purpose (to block UV rays) they do it in different ways. 

Chemical sun creams absorb UV rays and release the energy as heat. 

Physical or mineral sun creams create a barrier on the skin that acts like a mirror, reflecting and scattering the UV light. 

Physical/mineral products reflect visible light as well as UV, which can make the formulations opaque and leave a white residue on the skin. Some formulations use nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – the minerals responsible for the residue. Nanoparticles are smaller, and as they scatter visible light – rather than reflect it – the sun creams are transparent. 

How to use sun cream

The UV index gives a good indication of whether you need to apply sunscreen on any given day. The index ranges from low (a rating of one or two), to very high (eight and over). If the index is three or greater, it's worth considering using sunscreen – particularly if you burn easily.

See also: Met Office UV index forecast

How often do I need to apply sun cream?

It’s best to first apply sun cream 15 minutes before you head outside. Experts recommend that you then reapply it every two hours, but you may need to reapply it sooner than this if you go swimming, are active or sweat a lot.

How much sun cream should I apply?

It’s very unlikely you’re applying too much. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 35ml for the whole body – that’s around seven teaspoons' worth: one for the face/head and neck, one for each arm and each leg, and one each for your front and your back.

The image above shows the average amount of sunscreen we typically apply in a single full-body application in the hand on the left. Next to this – in two hands – is the amount we should be applying.

Not applying enough sun cream reduces the level of protection you'll receive. According to the WHO, applying a smaller quantity of sun cream leads to a disproportionate reduction in protection – if the quantity applied is reduced by half, protection may fall by as much as two thirds.

Does sun cream go out of date?

Yes. Before using a sun cream, check the bottle for a 'period after opening' symbol. This will tell you how long it can be used after opening.

Storing sun cream at high temperatures or in direct sunlight can decrease its shelf life, and older products may not work as well. So if you took last year's sun cream to the beach with you, it's probably time to buy a new bottle.

Types of sun cream

Fine sprays can be light, quick and less messy to apply, but aren't great on a windy beach where they are easily blown away. Plus, they can be irritating for those prone to prickly heat.

Some kids' options are brightly coloured to make it easier to see if you've missed a spot.

Ultimately, what's right for you depends on your skin type, situation and preferences. 

Sun cream claims to watch out for

Once-a-day sun creams

Some products claim to provide sun protection for up to 10 hours after a single application. 

However, in 2016 we conducted our own tests on several once-a-day sun creams, testing their sun protection claims after initial application and again after a day's wear.

We saw an average 74% decrease in SPF protection at the end of the tests. We shared our concerns with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). Both advise against relying on any sun cream for extended periods in the sun.  

At Which?, we don’t think ‘once-a-day,’ ‘eight-hour’ or similar single-use claims should be made on sun creams in the UK (these claims are banned in other countries, such as Australia). They may give a false sense of security, and normal daily or holiday activities such as swimming, sweating and clothes rubbing can cause these products to rub off and reduce protection.

Even with our test subjects just sitting on a chair in a T-shirt, we saw substantial reductions in the level of sun protection, so we don't think you can rely on once-a-day sun cream to keep you protected all day.

Since 2018, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) has brought out guidance encouraging a shift from once-a-day claims to 'durable' sun cream, with more guidance given on when reapplication is necessary, but we're still seeing plenty of claims that are similar to 'once-a-day'.

Water-resistant sun creams

It's common for sun creams to claim to be 'water resistant', but this doesn't mean that they're waterproof. 

The industry guideline for water-resistant sun creams allows the SPF of a product to drop by 50% after a total of 40 minutes in water. Water-resistance testing also takes place in what is essentially a bath – using tap water. 

We tested two popular sun creams in chlorinated water (to mimic a swimming pool) and salty water (to emulate the sea). We also added another scenario using fast-moving tap water to see what effect this had. Most of the time, the products weren't as effective in our more realistic conditions as they were in tap water.

If you're using sun cream at the beach, apply plenty before swimming, and again when you leave the water.

Reef-safe sun creams

Mineral sunscreens in particular often promote their environmental credentials, the most common being that they’re ‘reef-safe’ or 'ocean-friendly'.

This tends to mean that two commonly used chemical UV filters linked to coral bleaching – oxybenzone and octinoxate – aren’t used.  

In some places, including Hawaii, the sale of sunscreens with these compounds is banned.

However, there's no agreed definition of 'reef-safe', research is still ongoing as to the impact of these chemicals, and our tests found many mineral suncreams failed to protect as claimed – so take any claims with a pinch of salt.

Kids' sun cream

Babies less than six months old should be kept out of direct sunlight, according to the NHS, and the skin of young children should be protected from the sun when UV levels are high. 

When little ones are exposed to the sun, it’s best to apply a sun protection cream that’s specifically formulated for youngsters and with a high protection factor. Sun creams designed for children and babies are less likely to irritate young skin.

When choosing sun cream for your child, look for a short ingredients list and the terms 'fragrance free' and 'hypoallergenic'. The WHO recommends 35ml of sun cream (seven teaspoons' worth) to cover an adult, so use around a quarter to a half of this depending on the size of your child.

Remember, sun cream is just one part of staying safe in the sun and it's also really important to encourage kids (and adults) to:

• Cover up with loose clothing.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Avoid the hottest part of the day and seek shade. 
• Keep hydrated.

Learn more in our guide to baby and child sun creams.

Sun cream for sensitive skin

Sensitive sun creams tend to use physical blockers, which act as a screen to protect the skin, rather than chemical absorbers, which soak up UV radiation but are also more likely to cause skin irritation.

There’s a long list of ingredients that are used as chemical absorbers, so it’s easiest to simply look for products that are labelled ‘sensitive’ rather than search for specific ingredients.

SPF make-up: does it really offer protection from the sun?

For any product to provide the SPF it claims, you need to apply 2mg per square cm – which means around a teaspoonful of product for your face. And, just as with sun cream, it needs to be reapplied regularly.

In reality, you’re unlikely to apply the amount of make-up required – in the case of foundation, that would mean a 30ml bottle would only last six applications. When used realistically, make-up isn’t going to protect you from the sun on its own.

Vitamin D deficiency and sun cream

Vitamin D is essential for bone health and also helps keep your teeth healthy. The main sources are sunlight exposure and diet.

During summer, everyday casual exposure is adequate – the WHO advises five to 15 minutes in the summer sun, two or three times a week. Most of us will naturally spend longer than this in the sun during the summer, so it’s still important to use sun cream.

Some people worry that using sun cream might prevent them from getting enough vitamin D, but this isn’t the case unless you really overdo it. 

From April to September, when the UV Index is generally higher. It takes 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure each day for those with fair-to-olive skin to get enough vitamin D. 

It takes longer for those with darker skin that rarely burns – it can take 25-40 minutes for the darkest skin type. 

For more details on the importance of vitamin D and where to buy supplements, see our in-depth vitamin D guide.

Other ways to stay safe in the sun

• Consider the time of day – If you're spending time in the sun without wearing sun cream, you should only do so before 11am or after 3pm, as the middle of the day is when you're at the greatest risk of getting burnt.
• Cover up – wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and grab a hat if you need to keep your face out of the sun. You might also want to wear a T-shirt, which can help to cover up typically over-exposed areas such as shoulders.
• Drink plenty of water –make sure you drink regularly on a sunny day. Doing so can relieve headaches and help to heal sunburn, as drinking hydrates your body.
• Know how to treat sunburn – NHS advice says that most cases of sunburn will heal within a week. Get out of the sun, cool yourself with a shower or a damp towel and apply some aftersun, moisturiser or aloe vera gel. You can take painkillers to deal with any discomfort. The NHS also recommends avoiding using ice, popping blisters or wearing tight clothing – or any further sun exposure – while healing. If you feel very unwell, or your child has sunburn, you should talk to your GP or NHS 111. See the NHS sunburn advice page for more.

Where to buy sun cream

You can buy sun cream in pharmacies, supermarkets and discount stores, with some of our tested options coming from Asda, Boots, Garnier, Nivea and Wilko.

We've found several supermarket products that are cheap and protect well, so there's no need to go out of your way or opt for the priciest formulations.