The British Association of Dermatologists suggests that an SPF of 30 and a star rating of four out of five is “generally considered as a good standard of sun protection” (as long as this is paired with protective clothing and periods spent in the shade). The EU recommendation is that creams should offer UVA protection that’s at least a third of the SPF, so if you see a bottle with the letters UVA in a circle, you can be assured that it meets this minimum requirement. Sunscreens that offer strong protection against both UVB and UVA radiation are termed “broad spectrum” products. It takes longer for those with darker skin that rarely burns – it can take 25-40 minutes for the darkest skin type.

The sun emits two types of ultraviolet radiation. UVA affects the skin’s elastin, leading to wrinkles and premature ageing (although it’s also linked to developing skin cancers). UVB is responsible for sunburn and can increase the risk of skin cancers, too. Certain sunscreens carry a UVA star rating from zero to five, which indicates how much UVA radiation they absorb, relative to UVB radiation. Don’t be alarmed if there isn’t a number on the bottle, though: the rating system was devised and is owned by Boots, so not all brands carry it. The best sunscreens you can buy in 2023 1. Avène Intense Protect SPF 50+: Best sun cream for very sensitive skin I have to keep putting it on… If it isn’t swum off, wriggled off or simply worn off, I have to repeat the above over and over again unless I find a once-a-day formula which works. Which adds so much joy to my holiday.When choosing sun cream for your child, look for a short ingredients list and the terms 'fragrance free' and 'hypoallergenic'. The WHO recommends 35ml of sun cream (seven teaspoons' worth) to cover an adult, so use around a quarter to a half of this depending on the size of your child. The Face 30SPF Tinted is sheer genius: dark enough to make even my very pale (and presumably extremely interesting) skin look tanned but not grubby on day one. OrmskirkJanet Tried and Trusted Always buy this product to wear all year round . Does exactly what it says . Even with our test subjects just sitting on a chair in a T-shirt, we saw substantial reductions in the level of sun protection, so we don't think you can rely on once-a-day sun cream to keep you protected all day.

I tried the Extreme 50+SPF and it absorbed more easily than some body lotions I own, for both me and Minnie. Instead of squirmy crossness, I actually got requests for ‘more sun lotion’ and she rather helpfully tried to do my legs as well.

I’m not someone who wears foundation every day anyway, so I love the light unifying sheen that this sunscreen provides. It gives an effortlessly flawless “no makeup” look while concealing any imperfections. Who doesn’t want to look naturally airbrushed? Why I love it: If you’re looking to up the ante on your daily SPF protection, then the Ultrasun Face Anti-Ageing Formula SPF 50+ is for you. This is a great choice for your daily SPF if you’re looking for very high protection, if you’re in a hot climate, a city-dweller, or work outdoors. Sun cream provides protection from sunlight using UV filters. These are classified into two types: chemical and physical – also known as mineral sun cream.