11 best sunscreens for your body: Lotions, sprays and creams for everyday use
Banish all thoughts of the sunscreens of your childhood: those thick white creams, which seemed to have the consistency of paint, layered uncomfortably with scratchy sand and sticky melted ice lollies. Sunscreens have now achieved a whole new level of sophistication.
The good old British sunshine has made a few appearances this year already – so, before you head out to the beach, park or garden, remember that a decent sunscreen really is a non-negotiable, whatever type of skin you have.
Lisa Bickerstaffe, spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, gave us the lowdown: “SPF stands for sun protection factor and refers to the level of protection from UVB radiation, linked to skin cancer.”
“The British Skin Foundation recommends using SPF30 or more. In addition, look for a 4 or 5-star UVA rating, which will help protect from UVA radiation, associated with skin ageing as well as skin cancer,” says Bickerstaffe.
“‘Broad spectrum’ means the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. You may sometimes see a PA+++ rating, this is the American and Japanese rating system for UVA protection in sunscreen. PA+ being low protection, and PA++++ being high,” she adds.
If your sunscreen has the letters UVA in a circle, the British Association of Dermatologists states that this shows the level of UVA protection in the product meets EU recommendations.
When it comes to applying sunscreen, Lisa advises doing it “ideally 20-30 minutes” before going outside, then reapplying at least every two hours. “Reapply again after swimming, sweating or towel drying. If your sunscreen says once a day, better to reapply every two hours just to be on the safe side as a sporting activity, swimming or sweating can all cause it to wash or wipe away.”
Before you reach for that sunscreen at the back of the bathroom cabinet, “bear in mind that if your sunscreen is out of date it will no longer be effective”.
As well as sun protection, the latest sunscreens offer beautifying skincare benefits too, such as hydration and glow. Here is our pick of the best.
The best body sunscreens for 2022 are:
Best overall – Ultrasun family SPF30 body sunscreen: £20, Marksandspencer.com
Best for tanning – Saltee body active sun lotion SPF30: £35, Saltee.co.uk
Best for a light sunscreen – Vichy solar protective water SPF50 body sunscreen: £19, Boots.com
Best for babies and pregnany women – Mustela high protection sun spray SPF50, 200ml: £16.99, Amazon.co.uk
Best spray sunscreen – Coola pina colada sunscreen spray SPF30: £25, Spacenk.com
Best for sensitive skin – La Roche-Posay anthelios invisible spray SPF50+: £20.50, Notino.co.uk
Best for sport – Dermalogica protection 50 sport SPF50 body sunscreen: £34, Lookfantastic.com
Best budget-friendly sunscreen – Soltan once advanced 8hr protect suncare lotion SPF50+: £10, Boots.com
Best for wearing under make-up – Zelens body defence sunscreen SPF30: £27.50, Lookfantastic.com
Best for a non-greasy formula – Caudalie beautifying suncare oil SPF30: £21, Lookfantastic.com
Best for scent – Sol de Janeiro bum bum sol oil SPF30 body sunscreen: £36, Lookfantastic.com
Ultrasun family SPF30 body sunscreen, 100ml
Ultrasun offers full solar spectrum protection from UVA, UVB, blue light and infrared rays. It also protects against heat rash and prickly heat. Family-friendly, we loved this for its perfect gel texture (neither too sloppy nor too thick) and ease of application: even wriggly children didn’t mind putting it on. We liked the environmentally friendly way the instructions are printed on the inside of the box and loved the diagram showing how many fingers of sunscreen for each body part – so simple and easy to remember. Although we are a little sceptical about “once a day”, this would be a great option for applying to children before the start of the school day or on school trips.
Buy now £20.00, Marksandspencer.com
Saltee body active sun lotion SPF30, 150ml
It was the cool coral pink packaging from British brand Saltee that first caught our eye. With avocado oil for absorbency it also includes coconut oil, aloe and MelinOil, a tan accelerator. This version is designed for those who will be getting active, sweating and getting in the water. Putting it through its paces, it gave great (UVA and UVB) protection. No burnt bits at all. The fragrance is divine and the lotion itself, while reassuringly thick, rubs in beautifully.
Buy now £35.00, Saltee.co.uk
Vichy solar protective water SPF50, 200ml
Vichy launched this SPF50 version of its popular “solar water” following customer demand for a higher level of protection. This feels like you are spritzing yourself with refreshing lemon water but with the added bonus of SPF50. We loved this for its holiday feel, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean even in an English suburban garden. Easy to use, it sprays on evenly and with a quick rub in it vanishes. It also made skin feel beautifully smooth thanks to the presence of moisturising hyaluronic acid along with Vichy mineralising water. We tested it over several afternoons spent working from home in the garden and no burning.
Buy now £19.00, Boots.com
Mustela high protection sun spray SPF50, 200ml
This brand specialises in skincare for babies and mothers-to-be, making this sunscreen suitable from birth (although babies and toddlers should be kept in the shade) and for pregnant women. We found this yellowy cream had the typical thick sunscreen consistency which takes some rubbing in. Once applied, however, it protected really well even when, on a trip to the supermarket, we got stuck in a queue in the glare of the sun. It contains avocado perseose, a patented natural ingredient that hydrates and reinforces the skin barrier. A good choice for little ones and those with very sensitive skin.
Buy now £16.99, Feelunique.com
Coola pina colada sunscreen spray SPF30, 177ml
From the sky blue, flower-bedecked packaging to the natural pina colada fragrance this is a fun option with teen appeal. It contains 70 per cent certified organic ingredients, including cucumber, algae and strawberry extracts, and is infused with an antioxidant-rich plant protection complex and is reef-friendly.
No heavy cream here, this sheer formula sinks into the skin easily leaving no white residue on body or clothes and it gave good protection. The aerosol-type spray shoots the product out in quite a burst, so you need to aim carefully to ensure thorough application.
Read the full Coola pina colada sunscreen spray review
Buy now £25.00, Spacenk.com
La Roche-Posay anthelios invisible spray SPF50+, 200ml
French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay has updated this product with a new formula: a polymer technology that combines higher protection with a more invisible product. Dermatologist-approved following 16 clinical studies, the easy-to-apply mist claims to leave no trace on any skin tone. Formulated with thermal spring water, it is specifically aimed at sensitive and sun-intolerant skins and is a good family-friendly choice. We found it made our sensitive skin comfortable in the heat and could be relied on to keep us well protected.
Buy now £20.50, Notino.co.uk
Dermalogica protection 50 sport SPF50, 156ml
As the name suggests, this is a good choice for sports enthusiasts thanks to the high SPF and the fact that it is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Oleosome microspheres help to protect by keeping skin hydrated when moisture is lost through exercise and heat exposure. Protection aside, we loved the minimalist yellow and white packaging and no-nonsense tube. A really good, quality sunscreen, we tested it on a full day of intense gardening (not exactly the Tour de France, but still) in hot sun and it kept us safe and mercifully free from any red bits.
Buy now £34.00, Lookfantastic.com
Soltan once advanced 8hr protect suncare lotion SPF50+, 200ml
The ritual of a trip to Boots to purchase Soltan has become one of the great British summer holiday traditions. That familiar scent is as evocative as Proust’s madeleine to millions of us. “Once advanced” is Soltan’s hero range with the highest available UVA rating (five stars). We tested the SPF50+ spray version complete with ergonomic finger holds and it kept our tester’s fair-skinned family perfectly protected. For a budget-friendly option that is reliable and reassuring, it has rightfully earned its place on our must-have summer shopping list
It’s currently unavailable online but more stock is expected soon.
Buy now £10.00, Boots.com
Zelens body defence sunscreen SPF30, 125ml
This feels more beauty treatment oil than sunscreen – definitely more St Tropez than Skegness. The “silky-touch oil” is fortified with antioxidants to prevent free radical damage and organic UV filters. It is moisturising too, leaving our skin soft and supple after use. As an additional bonus, it is also designed to be used on hair. We loved the oil texture and felt very safe in the sun despite the sheer lightness of the formula. We thought it a very sophisticated, grown-up sunscreen. Bearing in mind the price, it makes an excellent luxury treat.
You can sign up to be notified once the 125ml bottle is back in stock but the formula is also available in a smaller 50ml size (£50, Amazon.co.uk)
Buy now £27.50, Lookfantastic.com
Caudalie beautifying suncare oil SPF30, 150ml
With a new patented antioxidant complex including polyphenols and vitamin E, this suncare oil offers a “healthy glow effect” alongside UVA and UVB protection. Caudalie’s signature nourishing grapeseed oil, sesame and sunflower oils combine in a really light, non-greasy spray that leaves skin soft and hydrated. We particularly loved its subtle shimmery glow and the seductive frangipani fragrance which instantly transports you to a tropical beach. It is marine friendly with an Ocean Protect accreditation.
Buy now £21.00, Lookfantastic.com
Sol de Janeiro bum bum sol oil SPF30 body sunscreen, 90ml
It says “for Brazilian babe skin” on the bottle and we loved the idea that this might transfer a hint of “The Girl (or boy) From Ipanema” glamour. The Brazilians take their sun-worshipping seriously and this oil delivers proper protection (including a claim of 80 minutes in the water – sadly we weren’t able to put that part to the test due to lockdown) and looks good while doing it.
Containing moisturising cupuaçu butter, acai and coconut oils, the illuminating dry oil imparts a dewy shimmer onto the skin via gold flakes. The scent is so divine (the brand’s signature salted caramel and vanilla cheirosa ’62 fragrance) we have even taken to using it out of the sun as a moisturising body oil that gives skin a gorgeous golden glow.
It’s currently unavailable, so we’d recommend signing up for stock updates.
Buy now £36.00, Lookfantastic.com
Body sunscreen FAQs
Which type of sunscreen is best? (Chemical vs mineral)
Chemical and mineral sunscreens both work to shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays but in different ways. Mineral sunscreens are considered more eco-friendly and contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These formulas sit on the skin’s surface and prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin.
Chemical sunscreens on the other hand are absorbed into the skin, allowing UV rays into the skin before turning them into heat and releasing them from your body.
How do I choose the best sunscreen for my skin?
After taking into account the SPF (skin protection factor), think about whether you have oily skin as you may get along better with a non comodonogenic option (this won’t clog your pores), while dry skin may want more moisturising formulas. Sensitive skin will likely do best with a mineral SPF rather than a chemical one, as these can cause skin irritation.
What does SPF mean?
SPF stands for sun protection factor – the number tells you how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using the product exactly as directed versus the amount of time without sunscreen. For example, if you’re using SPF 30, it will take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sun cream.
Can I use sunscreen every day?
The short answer is that you should be wearing sunscreen every day. Even when it’s overcast outside, you can absorb 80 per cent of the sun’s rays, so the advice is to apply SPF whatever the weather.
Can I skip moisturiser and use sunscreen?
Replacing your moisturiser with sunscreen isn’t advised because their functions are different – moisturiser keeps your skin hydrated, while sunscreen saves your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Are chemical sunscreens safe?
Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and in turn absorb UV rays, converting them into heat and releasing them from the body. The ingredients include avobenzone, octanoate, and oxybenzone, they are safe to use.
What’s the best way to apply sunscreen?
If the sun is strong sun and you think you might burn, applying sunscreen half an hour before you head out in the sun and topping up again just before leaving the house is a good idea. Apply plenty of formula and top up every two hours if you can, especially if your last layer has rubbed or washed off.
How much sunscreen should I apply?
You should use enough sunscreen to cover all the skin that will not be covered by clothing. The amount will undoubtedly vary depending on body size.
How often should I reapply sunscreen?
You will need to reapply sunscreen whenever you think it may have dripped off, or been wiped away (you may have just been swimming or become especially sweaty, for example). Otherwise, it’s advised that you reapply every two hours.
What about "reef-safe" sunscreens?
While chemical sunscreens are safe to use on the skin, the formulas, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been found to be harmful to aquatic life. Therefore, if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly SPF, it’s best to look for those that do not contain these chemicals, other options include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Read our review of the best reef-safe sunscreens for our favourite formulas.
What is the strongest sunscreen?
The highest sunscreen you can buy is SPF100, which blocks 99 per cent of UVB rays, but if properly applied, SPF 50 will block 98 per cent of UVB rays.
The verdict: Best body sunscreens
For its quality, integrity and high level of protection for the whole family, we found that Ultrasun family is hard to beat. It is also the first suncare brand worldwide to achieve BASF EcoSun Pass accreditation, which takes into account the negative impact on the environment of cosmetic ingredients including filters, biodegradability and aqua toxicity. Soltan once advanced is a reliable, more affordable choice that still delivers. We also loved independent British brand Saltee for its quirkiness and great product.
Now you have your body sunscreen, read our review of the best lip balms with SPF to nourish and protect your pout too
