Suncare is a bit like flossing your teeth; you know it’s bad to skip it, but sometimes you just can’t be bothered. Even when you're using the very best sun cream it can feel like a chore. And while that it's important wear year-round, now that spring has arrived and the sun has finally made a reappearance it's all the more important not to skip it—so finding a sun cream that you actually enjoy using is crucial.
Not to scaremonger, but sun damage really isn't something to be taken lightly. And we say that because according to Cancer Research UK every year around 16,744 new melanoma (the fifth most common cancer in the UK) cases are recorded in the UK.
"There is a misconception in the UK that we don’t need to wear sunscreen as the sun isn’t as strong," says consultant dermatologist at OneWelbeck Skin Health & Allergy and Eudelo clinic Dr Hiva Fassihi, who specialises in sun-sensitive disorders.
"The UV index measures the strength of sun-burning UV rays outside, ranging from one to a very high 11. When it reaches three you need to apply sunscreen. In the UK, the UV index can hit six or seven in summer, so broad-spectrum sun cream is essential."
The good news, however, is that nowadays there are plenty of sun creams that actually feel really nice to apply. In fact, they feel so nice that even the most stubborn SPF-haters out there will find themselves looking forward to slapping them on every day. From SPF moisturisers and expert-approved sunscreens to glowy sunscreens that transform dull skin, there are now hundreds of amazing sun protection options on the market.
Having said that, we know that there are plenty of duds out there when it comes to sun cream too—and when you're choosing the best protection for yourself and tour family it's important to get things right first time. Luckily, in a bid to save you time, energy and annoyance, we have spent our careers testing every formula out there to draw up a definitive list of the best sun cream. You're welcome.
Best sun creams for 2025: Quick links
- Best sunscreen to apply before make-up: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30, from £17.50 | Cult Beauty
- Best mineral facial sunscreen: Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30, £36 | Cult Beauty
- Best sunscreen for hyperpigmentation: L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid SPF 50+, £20 | Lookfantastic
- Best sunscreen for glowing skin: Garnier Ambre Solaire Vitamin C Daily UV Brightening Fluid Glow SPF 50+, £8.92 | Amazon
- Best serum sunscreen: Naked Sundays CabanaClear Water Gel Serum SPF 50, £25 | Sephora
- Best sunscreen for irritated skin: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ SPF 50, £11.90 | Sephora
- Best luxury facial sunscreen: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50, £65 | Tatcha
- Best lightweight facial sunscreen: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, £15.99 | Superdrug
- Best sunscreen for dry skin: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF30, £11 | Amazon
- Best sunscreen for mature skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF50, £55 | LookFantastic
- Best sunscreen for all-round protection: Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++, £69 | Cult Beauty
- Best sunscreen spray: Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray, £13.99 | Amazon
- Best sunscreen stick: Caudalie Vinosun Protect Stick Invisible Haute Protection SPF 50, £16 | Sephora
- Best clear sunscreen: Lancaster Sun Protective Water, £31 | Lookfantastic
- Best sunscreen for tanning: Ultrasun Tan Activator For Body SPF 30, £28 | Lookfantastic
- Best sunscreen for kids: Nivea SUN Kids Protect & Care Caring Roll-On SPF 50+, £5.50 | Boots
- Best sunscreen for cooling: Coola Pina Colada Sunscreen Spray SPF 30, £22.95 | Amazon
- Best French pharmacy sunscreen: Avène Spray Sun Cream, £18 | Lookfantastic
- Best sunscreen with a water formula: Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water, £20.95 | Lookfantastic
- Best fragranced sunscreen: NUXE Sun Face and Body Delicious Sun Spray, £24 | Marks & Spencer
- Best luxurious sunscreen: Rituals The Ritual of Karma Invisible Sun Protection Milky Spray, £22.90 | Lookfantastic
- Best sunscreen for the whole family: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Mune 400 Dermo Pediatrics Invisible Spray SPF50+, £23.90 | LookFantastic
Our testing criteria for the best sun cream
Each of these sun creams has been tested by someone on the Marie Claire UK beauty team against the below criteria. If the sun cream reveals a 'yes' answer to the below, it's made it on the our edit of the best.
- Is the UVA and UVB protection high enough/efficient?
- Is the formula easy to apply?
- Does the formula leave apply clear, rather than leaving a white cast?
- Is the formula comfortable to wear, rather than greasy?
- Is the sun cream enjoyable enough to use that you'll want to apply it every day?
So here goes; the best sun cream that money can buy in 2025, whatever your preference.
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Mune 400 Dermo Pediatrics Invisible Spray SPF50+
As a mum of two, freelance beauty editor and Marie Claire contributor Mica Ricketts is well-versed in applying sun cream to wriggling children and this one is her top pick for the best sunscreens for kids. However, thanks to the fact that it's been formulated with children’s delicate skin in mind, it makes a great pick for the entire family—or anyone with sensitive skin.
“Easy application is top of my list when it comes to the best sun creams for the body and the mist on this one from La Roche-Posay is brilliantly easy to apply,” says Mica. “It’s ultra-lightweight, sinks in really fast without leaving any noticeable residue or tackiness, and it’s resistant to all manner of things including sand and water so it’s a brilliant pick for holiday time as well as year-round.”
2. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray
"I buy this spray-on sun cream every time I go on holiday—even at the airport, where the price is wildly inflated," says Laura. "It's light and easy to apply for top-ups when outside, yet also feels thorough enough. My boyfriend loves it too."
3. Caudalie Vinosun Protect Stick Invisible Haute Protection SPF 50
Sun cream sticks such as this one won't be any good for general application but are great for touch-up on small or more delicate areas such as the nose, ears, over tattoos, and around the edges of swimwear.
"I always pack a sun cream stick in my suitcase, and this year it'll be this Caudalie one," says Laura. "I like how chunky and wide it is, and how it's quite firm so doesn't immediately melt in the sun."
4. Lancaster Sun Protective Water
High filters to thwart UV rays? Tick. Completely sheer coverage? Double tick. "The fact that it can be applied to wet skin also deserves a mention," says Marie Claire's Senior Beauty Editor Katie Thomas. Those with dark skin tones can apply with abandon—there’s zero chance of this sunscreen leaving a grey cast behind.
5. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ SPF 50
The orginal La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume is a must-have in any skincare SOS kit, famed for its ability to calm and protect niggly skin, from mild eczema to the dreaded post-retinoid flaking. It also comes in this SPF 50 version, giving very high sun protection as it soothes.
"Although slightly thinner than the original, this is still very rich and leaves behind protective film—great for dry skin, not so good for oily or spot-prone complexions," says Laura. "It can be used all over the face and body, but I'll probably keep use it sparingly if I have patches of irritation flare up."
6. Ultrasun Tan Activator For Body SPF 30
If the benefits of UV protection aren't enticing enough, then the addition of an ingredient to activate the tanning process should be. Truth be told, there is no safe way to tan, however, if you do insist on sitting out in the sun, make sure you're wearing an SPF like this one.
"In all honestly my pale skin never really tans, but if I was hoping to achieve a slight golden glow in mild sun—and safely—I'd do it wearing this," says freelance beauty editor Laura Mulley.
7. Nivea SUN Kids Protect & Care Caring Roll-On SPF 50+
Putting sun cream on children is one of life's biggest challenges. They don't want it on and you don't want to do it—so anything that makes life that little bit easier is a winner. Nivea's SPF 50+ Roll-On is exactly that: full body application in no time at all. Plus it has that gorgeous Nivea Sun smell, which makes cuddles with the tiny ones afterwards glorious.
"I don't have children but even I'm tempted to use this just from the smell alone," says Laura. "I'm all for hands-free sun cream application too (although you will need to rub this in a bit afterwards)."
8. Coola Pina Colada Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
This is the ultimate summer holiday sun cream. Not only does it smell just like one—pineapples and coconuts—but it's so easy to apply; when you're in and out of the sea, cafés and outfits, this spray makes for super simple reapplication.
"This is my ride-or-die sunscreen. It feels so luxurious to apply and has everyone asking after it because of that all-important tropical scent," says Shannon.
9. Avène Spray Sun Cream
You can always rely on the French pharmacies to deliver top-notch sunscreen, and this spray formula from Avène was spotted on one of Hailey Bieber's Instagram stories, in a photo of Hailey and Kendall Jenner sunbathing. What makes this SPF so great is that it's suitable for everyone—even those with sensitive skin and children.
"I adore spray-on sun creams, and will always choose them of thick creams," says Laura. "This one dries very quickly but isn't completely clear—something to bear in mind if you have dark skin. I love its twist-up, travel-safe locking mechanism too."
10. Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water
By combining hyaluronic acid with mineral water and a high-factor SPF, you get the balance just right: your skin is hydrated and protected while the clear, non-greasy formula suits all skin types and skin tones.
Marie Claire Editor Sunil Makan says, "This is the best body sunscreen out there, in my opinion."
11. NUXE Sun Face and Body Delicious Sun Spray
If you're looking for a sun cream with a delicious, long-lasting scent, this NUXE one is for you. The rich, hydrating formula leaves a silky finish on the skin and delivers an uplifting fragrance with notes of sweet orange, Tahitian gardenia and vanilla.
"This smells divine—almost as good as an actual perfume," says Laura. "The formula itself is really lovely too; milky, quickly absorbed and not at all greasy."
12. Rituals The Ritual of Karma Invisible Sun Protection Milky Spray
This sun cream might not be the most expensive on the list but, in our opinion, it's definitely most luxurious. Not only does this milky spray leave skin feeling beautifully soft and looking glowing, but it also smells delicious, making it a total joy to use. If you're somebody who struggles to find the motivation to apply sun cream, investing in this can should do the trick.
"I absolutely adore this sun cream," says Shannon. "Whenever I pull it out of my bag, somebody else wants in on it too."
13. Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body and Hand Skinscreen
Ultra Violette is an incredible brand for sunscreen in general, but this hand and body sun cream (or skinscreen as they call it) blows a lot of the traditional body SPFs that we’ve all grown up with out of the water. Not only does it have high, broad-spectrum protection, the formula itself is beautifully hydrating too so it doubles as a decent body moisturiser. There’s vitamin E, aloe vera and pentavitin to help with long-term hydration and, as the icing on the cake, there’s a subtle shimmer running through it so you’ll really glow when you step outside with this on.
worth of hydration. And just to make sure your limbs glimmer in the sunshine, there's added shimmer thrown in for good measure. Pool day, anyone?
14. Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF50
Available in a whole range of sizes from a diddy handbag-friendly 30ml to an enormous half a litre pump dispenser, this versatile sun cream is ideal for taking with you when you’re on-the-go and keeping in your bathroom cabinet for the whole family to use before they head out. It has a beautiful lightweight texture that’s infused with sunflower, rosemary and rice antioxidants to protect skin against the effects of pollution as well as broad-spectrum protection from the sun. Plus, it has a fresh and zesty scent that smells really uplifting too.
How to choose the best sun cream for your skin
The SPF (sun protection factor) number indicates the level of protection against burning. The NHS recommends using SPF 30 and above, as this clinically proven to be reduce the adverse effects of sunlight.
There are lots of little symbols and numbers on sun cream bottles, which can be confusing, so here's a guide to help you decipher the information.
You want your sun cream to protect against both UVA (the skin-ageing rays) and UVB (the burning rays). Look for the term broad-spectrum, as this indicates the formula contains adequate protection against both types of rays. However, it's a good idea to pay closer attention to the individual levels of both UVA and UVB protection.
To protect against skin-ageing, skin-damaging rays, look for UVA protection too. You want to make sure that your suncream protects against UVA rays because they travel deeper into the skin, where they can trigger pigmentation, wrinkles and loss of firmness. This protection is indicated in various forms, depending on where the sun cream is from.
UVA star rating: Here in the UK, our sun care brands will use the UVA star rating. It shows UVA in a circle with stars below indicating the level of protection. One star is minimum, two stars moderate, three stars good, four stars superior and five stars ultra.
UVA Seal: This is the most common UVA rating. It's the letters UVA in a circle and has been classed as sufficient protection.
PA Rating: Seen mostly on American and International brands. The higher the number of + after the PA the better (the highest rating is PA++++). It's not really recognised as the best way to show protection here in the UK.
Why is it so important to use the best sun cream?
We chatted with Jo Stoddart, cancer specialist at Bupa UK, about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun.
"Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in the pigment cells in your skin—called melanocytes—and can spread to other parts of your body. Thought mainly to be due to sun exposure, the incidence is increasing and unfortunately in some cases can be life-threatening."
What are the causes of melanoma?
Melanoma is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. There are certain genetic factors, which will increase your risk of developing melanoma, including those who have a larger number of moles or moles that are atypical. Additionally, people with pale skin, red or blonde hair and blue or green eyes are at a greater risk than those with dark features.
Family history is also important when it comes to your risk of melanoma, with it playing a part in around one in ten cases.
Excessive exposure to sunlight or UV radiation from sunbed use is the main environmental factor that can cause melanoma. If you have had severe sunburn or intense exposure to the sun in the past, particularly in childhood, then you are also at a higher risk.
What are the signs of melanoma?
Melanoma may start in an existing mole on your skin or it may start on normal skin, creating a new, abnormal mole. There are key signs to look out for when checking your moles on a monthly basis.
We suggest employing the ABCDE checklist when you check your moles, which should flag up the key signs that your mole could be a melanoma:
A – asymmetry – one half of the mole looks different to the other
B – border irregularity – the edges are uneven or jagged
C – colour variability – the mole is a mixture of different colours
D – diameter – the mole is bigger than 6mm across
E – evolution – the mole has changed in size, shape or colour
"But sunscreen is so sticky and unpleasant," we hear you say. And in the past, you’d be right. Historically sunscreen had a bad reputation for being gloopy and leaving behind white smears, especially on dark skin tones. There are nowaday, however, some that are the best sun creams for dark skin tones.)
But formulations now are so different to days gone by. They absorb quickly, they have added skincare benefits and most importantly they are easy to apply.
The latest SPF waters
New technology means that the latest sunscreens are now genuinely invisible on application, and oh-so sheer that they glide over the skin as light as coconut water.
This is especially true of the latest SPF 50 oil-in-water hybrids, which are as far from a traditional suncream as you can get. These waters use the same bi-phase technology found in eye make-up removers.
"You need to have oil in sunscreen as that’s where the high, broad-spectrum filters are embedded," says Dr Fassihi. "The water phase is where the hydrating and antioxidant ingredients sit."
Dispensed as a fine mist, those like La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Spray SPF50+ and Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water Hydrating SPF50 are so lightweight, you could almost forget you were wearing sun cream altogether.
The bottom line? You’re more likely to want to use them every day.
Use a separate sunscreen for the face
The sun protection ingredients for facial use aren’t necessarily different from those you apply elsewhere— you’ll just find the textures thinner, less pore-clogging and designed to play nicely under make-up.
The best facial sunscreens and the best SPF moisturisers are also flooded with additional skincare ingredients such as antioxidants to ward off sun-related issues including wrinkles, pigmentation and dehydration.
How to use sunscreen
Rub it in well: Per the NHS's guidelines apply two tablespoons' worth to the entire body (or two teaspoons if you're only exposing your face, neck and arms) and re-apply every two hours.
Remember that sunscreen can expire: This makes it less effective. Check the bottle for the open jar symbol, which indicates a product's shelf life after it's been opened. For sun cream this is usually 12 months, so even if it hasn’t hit its expiration date, if it's over a year old, it won’t be as effective. And remember to always store your sun cream in a cool, dry place.
