The best sun cream for face and body protection

Don't want your skin to age faster than a bad social media take? Slap on some sun cream before you go outside on a sunny day.

However, when shopping for the best sun cream there are a number of factors (sorry, not sorry) to consider.

The first thing to take note of is its SPF rating. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is essentially how long the sun cream will protect you from (UV) B rays, before you are prone to burning. But, how long this is depends on your skin type and how long it usually takes for you to get burnt. If you know that time then it is thought that an SPF of, say 15, will allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than without the cream.

Add this up and it could mean that you can stay in the sun for a number of hours. But topping up that cream is extremely important as things like sweat and water will wash away the potency of the sun cream. And when you do top up, you should adhere to the original time as topping up every few hours doesn't mean that you can keep resetting the time. Once your SPF time is over then you should try and find some shade.

It's also worth noting that the higher the SPF, the fewer rays will be let through.

So, even if you’re the type who always turns an enviable golden brown while others sit in the shade, it’s worth slapping the sun cream on to prevent a leathery look down the line. Ideally, invest in one for your body and one for your face – there’s a difference.

Facial skin is more prone to spots, so face sun cream should be made without oil and with ingredients that don’t block your pores.

It should also block UVA rays (which contribute to premature ageing), and will often be labelled as ‘broad spectrum’. A high SPF alone doesn’t guarantee this and only refers to the protection from UVB rays that cause sunburn.

Here are the best sun creams we recommend.

Best sun cream

at Amazon

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at AmazonKnown for making no-budge sunscreen that often only requires one application, Ultrasun’s sports range is popular with everyone from casual joggers to outdoor workers.Perspiration resistant, non-greasy and transparent, the gel absorbs around 90% of UVA, so whether you’re gardening or going on an active holiday, you won’t have to worry about spending hours in the sun. There’s even a hit of antioxidants in the mix to help protect your skin from free radical damage.

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at AmazonAs well as SPF, there’s a UVA star rating system that shows how much protection a product has. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend lots to get a high rating for both.While this spray is pocket-friendly, it still includes the highest UVA rating of five stars to keep long-term skin damage at bay and is SPF50+. It rubs in easily without leaving residue behind but the 200ml bottle size may be limiting if you’re reapplying frequently, so pack a couple.

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at AmazonThe texture of this body lotion is light and creamy - it rubs into the skin within seconds and leaves no residue whatsoever. It uses what Institut Esthederm calls ‘Global Cellular Protection technology’ to prevent the skin damaging your skin, causing dark spots or ageing. And, it also doesn’t have that suncream smell most lotions have, and is available in a ‘strong sun’ formulation if you’re more prone to burning.

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at AmazonEven if the sun doesn’t always have its hat on, it’s worth spritzing on this spray so you can waft around smelling of summery frangipani flowers.Its plus points don’t end there – not only is it a two-in-one that can be used on your face and body, it includes UVA/UVB protection and is suitable for sensitive skin. It’s even biodegradable and non-toxic for marine life (reef-safe) – so you can go for a dip in the sea without leaving anything polluting behind.

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at AmazonHate spending time coating yourself in cream? Then this nifty mist with UVA and UVB protection is for you. It comes with a 360-degree diffuser designed to speed up your spray-and-rub-in routine as well as help you reach awkward spots.However, as the spray is quite light, it’s best to use it indoors, especially if it’s a breezy day. An added bonus is a slight cooling effect – great if you’re already feeling hot and bothered before you step outside.

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at bit.lyFor sunscreen that does more than protect skin, look to Vichy’s Solar Protective range. Its three products can enhance your tan or shield you from pollution with antioxidants, but it’s the hydrating spray that delivers bang for buck.It contains hyaluronic acid that irons out fine lines, so you can look fantastic on the beach. Fast-absorbing and ultra-light, it’s suitable for your body or face (though it might look shiny) plus there’s no white cast so it’s ideal for darker skin.

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at AmazonScent-free and reef-safe, this smart mineral sunscreen is good for sensitive skin (especially if you suffer from prickly heat or are prone to eczema or psoriasis) and the ocean.Even the renewable sugar cane packaging is recyclable. What’s inside is great too, offering UVA and UVB protection in a thick lotion that’s 84% organic, moisturising and won’t block pores. Despite being water-resistant, you’ll need to reapply every couple of hours or so, but that’s not much of a big ask when it’s so virtuous.

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Author Bio

Rachel Ogden

Rachel Ogden is a freelance journalist specialising in testing small appliances, from coffee machines to slow cookers and everything in-between. Her kitchen has been a temporary home to multiple juicers over the years, meaning she has used, cleaned, assembled and disassembled more than most people, and juiced a vast amount of fruit, vegetables and nuts.

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