The best sunscreen of 2025 – and the two to avoid
With hot weather sweeping the UK and an amber heatwave warning in place, sunscreen is something we should all be wearing on the parts of our bodies exposed to the sun. But how can you be sure your go-to bottle is doing what it promises?
To help shoppers find suncreams they can trust, consumer group Which? tested a range of high street and premium options using official British and international standards.
SPF (which protects against UVB rays that cause sunburn) was checked by applying sunscreen to volunteers' skin and exposing it to controlled UVB light. UVA protection (which guards against long-term skin damage and ageing) was tested in the lab by measuring how much of the sun's rays were absorbed through the cream.
This year, 13 products passed with flying colours – but two missed the mark in at least one test.
This supermarket-own product passed the UVA part of the testing but fell short on SPF protection. According to Which?, lab results showed an SPF of 25.7 and then 20.7 on retest – lower than the SPF30 claim and below the threshold needed to pass.
The supermarket told Which? it's "looking closely at the results" and is carrying out further independent testing with its supplier.
Ultrasun met the SPF requirement in testing, but failed to hit the minimum UVA protection. Which? recorded a UVA protection factor of 9.1 and 9.5 across two tests, just below the required level of 10.
Ultrasun told Which? it is "fully confident in its testing protocols and that its detailed testing processes continue to not only meet, but surpass industry standards." It also said its chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available.
Tested and approved – here are the sunscreens Which? says deliver on sun protection:
Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion, £5.50
Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Spray, £5.50
Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion, £7.90
Lidl Cien Sun Protect Spray SPF30, £3.79
Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion, £5.50
Superdrug Solait Sun Spray, £5.50
Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Spray SPF50+, £11
Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Spray Lotion SPF50+, £5.75
Aldi Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, £2.99
Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF50+, £5.50
Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Spray SPF50+, £7.90
Childs Farm Fragrance-Free Sun Cream SPF50+, £12
Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF50+, £5.50
When it comes to SPF, Which? and NHS guidance suggest looking for:
A minimum SPF of 30 for UVB protection
A UVA protection seal (a circle with 'UVA' inside) or Boots' four- or five-star UVA rating
Water resistance if you're swimming or sweating
Reapplication every two hours (more if swimming or towelling off)
It's worth checking the expiry date too — suncream can lose its effectiveness over time.
Kids' skin is around 30% thinner than adults', which means UV rays can cause damage more quickly. Their skin also produces less melanin – the pigment that helps protect against sunburn – so they need extra protection.
Look for suncream with SPF 30 or higher, ideally labelled for children or sensitive skin. Water-resistant options are a good bet too, especially if they're splashing about.
Wide-brimmed hats, rash vests and UV-protective sunglasses can all help keep them covered.
And if you're unsure of a brand to go for before your next top up, Which? has lots of sunscreen information on its website.
Suncream helps, but it's just one part of the picture. Here's what the NHS and British Skin Foundation recommend for staying protected during exposure to the sun:
Stick to the shade (11am–3pm): UV is strongest midday, so take breaks under trees, parasols or cover –just remember rays can still reflect off water or sand.
Cover up well: Wear loose, tightly woven clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with a CE mark, UV‑400 or 100% UV protection.
Pick sun-safe fabrics: Look for clothing labelled UPF 30+ – UPF 50+ gives the best protection.
Apply early, reapply often: Use sunscreen 30 minutes before heading out, then reapply every 2 hours – or sooner if you're swimming or towelling off.
Use enough: Aim for 6–8 teaspoons to cover your whole body – most of us don't use enough.
Check the label: Go for SPF 30+ and either 4–5 stars or a UVA-in-a-circle symbol to ensure broad protection.
Don't ditch it on cloudy days: UV still gets through clouds and bounces off sand, water and snow – protection's still essential.
Read more about suncream:
The 4 most important things to check on your sunscreen, according to a dermatologist (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Why you need sunscreen all year round, even indoors (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
The 8 best sunscreens for kids and adults – and the correct SPF to use for your age (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
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