Best Body Sun Creams, According to Editors
The 15 Best Body Sun Creams to Keep You Protected This Summer
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
We'll continue to shout this until we're blue in the face: sun cream is arguably the most valuable product in your beauty bag. It's the most important skin-care product you'll own and use, both on your face and your body. Wearing sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, which prevents skin cancer and ageing, and also helps to minimise other facial skin concerns including hyperpigmentation, rosacea, sun spots, and fine lines. As the weather starts to get warmer, it's especially important to stock up on some decent sun cream formulas for the body that you'll actually use — and even enjoy using.
We know the road to finding the perfect SPF is often one filled with trial and error, which can be both daunting, expensive, and at times, greasy. But that's why we're here to help.
How to Find the Best Sun Cream
There are a few things to consider when it comes to finding the right SPF to slather all over your body this summer. First, which application method do you prefer? Spray, bottle, or stick? Next, what's important when it comes to formula? Water resistant, transparent colour, or something non-greasy? Do you want a mineral or chemical sunscreen formula? Those with skin conditions like rosacea tend to do better with a mineral sunscreen as they cause less irritation, but those with darker skin tones will often find that mineral formulas leave a white cast. And finally, what factor do you want?
What SPF Factor Should I Use?
SPF extends your natural skin's defence against the sun's harmful rays. So, SPF 15 provides about 15 times more protection against the sun than your skin alone. Meanwhile, SPF 50 would provide 50 times the protection. Bear in mind that NHS England recommends that everyone use at least SPF 30 in the sun. So, we've included nothing less than factor 30 in our roundup.
Keep reading to shop the 12 sunscreens for the body that our editors keep going back to year after year.
Best Body Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin
Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+" (£8)
If you find that your skin is super sensitive with sunscreen, the Bondi Sands sun cream could be for you. This fragrance-free formula is friendlier to sensitive skin and those who experience prickly heat. It's not greasy or sticky, but it is super moisturising thanks to the added Vitamin E. The SPF 50 lotion offers UVA and UVB protection, alongside antioxidant protection, which defends the skin against environmental factors such as pollution. It's also water-resistant for up to 4 hours.
Best Sustainable Body Sun Cream
Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray (£20)
Aside from being an easy-to-use formula with a non-greasy or sticky finish, the Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray smells incredible. Think tropical holiday with a piña colada in hand. Being the most sustainable body sun cream on our list, this sun cream is made without sulphates, parabens, oxybenzone or octinoxate in the ingredients – which also makes it completely reef-friendly. You can relax knowing this product is completely vegan, cruelty-free, and even gluten-free. It's a must for any eco-friendly packing list.
Best Body Sun Stick
Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick SPF 50+ (£28)
If you prefer a solid formula to give you the skin protection that you need out in the sun, the Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick SPF 50+ is an ideal candidate for leaving zero residue or cast after use. It can also be used on the skin under or over makeup, as most foundation doesn't protect against the sun. Although it's a stick formula, it is lightweight and also water and sweat-resistant. We'll meet you by the sea!
Best Vitamin E Body Sun Cream
COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen (£19)
We love that K-beauty has taken the world by storm, and leading the way is COSRX with their Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen. Enriched with Vitamin E — which protects delicate skin with its antioxicant properties, is extremely hydrating, and has even been shown to relieve eczema in some cases — this body sun cream helps to reduce free radicals and visible signs of ageing and skin damage in the skin. This product is suitable for all skin types, being lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy, without leaving a white cast. If you struggle with oily skin, this sun cream doesn't clog pores either, as it contains Silica which controls oil and sebum.
Best Shimmer Body Sun Cream
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion (£8)
While we appreciate a good SPF formula, we love a bit of sparkle, too. So, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion is right up our street. This subtle shimmering body suncream, which contains a light-reflecting mica mineral to make the skin sparkle in the sun, is the only sun protection with stunning swirls of hydration throughout, which boasts silk protein and glycerin, to keep your skin feeling soft for 12 hours. The suncream feels lightweight, ultra nourishing, and smells divine with its coconut fragrance, as well as providing protection against UVA and UVB. It also gives your skin that golden-hour sun-kissed glow.
Most Hydrating Body Sun Cream
Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+ (£27)
A new addition to our summer beauty arsenal, the Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+ is one of the most elegant sunscreens out there right now, not to mention its dreamy formula. It's super lightweight, fast absorbing, and sweat-resistant. It also contains aloe vera, vitamin E, and pentavitin (an ultra-hydrating ingredient), which all work to soothe and moisturise the skin. The formula also contains a subtle shimmer, which adds an extra glow during the sunny months.
Best Suncream for Dark Skin
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 (£20)
The Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 is designed specifically for darker skin tones to be ultra sheer and leave no white cast on the skin. It's fragrance-, oxybenzone-, and octinoxate-free if you're keen to avoid those ingredients in your sun cream skincare, and it works on both the body and face so you're good to glow all day long.
Best Scented Body Sun Cream
Hello Sunday The Essential One Body Cream SPF 50 (£16)
The Hello Sunday Body Cream might be the newbie on the block, but it certainly packs a punch. It doesn't have a traditional sunscreen scent; instead, it contains subtle notes of lime, geranium, and mint for a super-uplifting fragrance. It does have a white cast to begin with, but that disappears once it's fully absorbed (so make sure you really get in there and rub it in well!). It's also vegan and cruelty-free.
Best Non-Greasy Body Sun Cream
Ren Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 (£33)
Dr. Sommerlad also recommended the Ren Clean SPF for oilier skin types, this formula dries down to a matte finish, which is ideal for the summer months if you're prone to greasy skin. It's also slightly fragranced if you like to avoid that classic sunscreen scent. However, this formula takes quite a lot of effort to blend into the skin to avoid a white cast.
Best Luxury Body Sun Cream
Dior Solar The Protective Milk for Face and Body SPF 30 (£37)
If you're really looking to push the boat out this summer, then Dior will look nothing short of classy for your trips away to fancy beach clubs. The product is described as "a high-protection sunscreen milk suited for use on the face and body", which is a win-win. The body suncream is water-resistant and protects against UVA and UVB rays, and boasts a spray applicator for even diffusion across your whole body. Meanwhile, the milky formula is incredibly hydrating and refreshing, so you won't need to worry about your skin feeling dry in the sun, whilst it also carries a light fragrance. What's not to love?
Best Affordable Body Sun Cream
Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF50+ 200ml (£4)
Sun cream doesn't have to make a dent in your finances. We should be using body sun cream when we're out and about, whether that's abroad or in the UK. Boots own brand body sun cream has the highest UVA star rating at five stars, which protects the skin against long-term skin damage and premature ageing.
Best Odourless Body Sun Cream
Scent Free Sun Cream by Green People (£16, originally £20)
While some of us love the smell of summer and sun cream, others can't stand the stuff. Well, this body sun cream by Green People is the remedy for all those with sensitive noses (and sensitive skin!), with its offering. This handy travel-size bottle uses fully recyclable, plant-based packaging, and is suitable for those prone to prickly heat. The easy-apply formula is super moisturising, which is great if you want a longer-lasting tan, as well as being water-repellent for all those water babies. This body suncream is made of 84 percent organic ingredients, and is non-pore clogging, which allows your skin to breathe. It's scent-free summer in a bottle.
Best Transparent Body Sun Cream
Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Spray SPF30 (£7, was £13)
For all those insta-worthy photos, you don't want to be bogged down by a white cast on your skin. So, this transparent body sun cream by Garnier instantly absorbs into the skin without stickiness, but still forms a barrier against the sun's harmful rays. Leaving no white marks, the spray is extremely water-resistant and is undetectable in those all-important picture ops whilst you're out and about outdoors.
Best Water-resistant Body Sun Cream
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Water Resistant High Protection Lotion (£7, originally £13)
If you can't get enough of the swimming pool or the sea, then this option could be your best friend. This lotion's advanced UVA and UVB protection protects skin, even when you're in and out of the water. The formula works for both the body, and the face, and leaves skin feeling silky soft and hydrated for up to 24 hours after use. The new tube uses 36 percent cardboard in a bid to reduce plastic, too.
Best Mineral Body Sun Cream
Ultrasun Mineral Body SPF50 Lotion (£22, originally £28)
If you're a fan of mineral body sun creams which stay on the surface of the skin to deflect the sun's harmful rays, then Ultrasun should be at the top of your list. Though it is a mineral-based formula, it feels silky smooth and lightweight, protects against UVA, UVB, and HEV light to ensure your body and face skin are protected all-year-round. The formula is an antioxidant-infused mineral lotion, which forms a barrier between your skin and the sun, and is also water-resistant.
