The 10 Best Sun Cream as of July 2026

How we ranked these sun cream

Each pick earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

Performance (35%) — how well each sun cream does its core job.
Value (25%) — quality and features for the price.
Build & reliability (20%) — materials, longevity and warranty.
Features (20%) — meaningful extras that improve the experience.

We also weigh real-world owner reviews — star ratings and how many people left them — and whether each product has the features you'd expect in its class.

At a glance: top 10 compared

Swipe across to see all columns, including Amazon links →

#	Sun Cream	Score	Best for	SPF	Approx. Price	Amazon links
1	La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400	9.1	Best overall	SPF50+	£20	View Price
2	Ultrasun Family SPF30	8.8	Best long-lasting	SPF30	£22	View Price
3	Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV	8.7	Best value	SPF50+	£8	View Price
4	Riemann P20 SPF50	8.7	Best water-resistant	SPF50	£18	View Price
5	CeraVe Hydrating Mineral SPF30	8.6	Best mineral	SPF30	£14	View Price
6	Bondi Sands SPF50+ Fragrance Free	8.6	Best for active days	SPF50+	£13	View Price
7	Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF50	8.5	Best budget body	SPF50	£6	View Price
8	Altruist Dermatologist SPF50	8.5	Best dermatologist value	SPF50	£8	View Price
9	Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourish	8.3	Best feel and scent	SPF30	£10	View Price
10	Malibu SPF30 Lotion	8.2	Best cheap holiday	SPF30	£4	View Price

The full ranking

Best overall

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400

9.1Our number one pick.

La Roche-Posay's Anthelios UVMune 400 offers very high broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection in a lightweight, non-greasy formula that sits well under make-up and suits sensitive skin. It is pricier than supermarket creams, but the protection and feel are excellent. As with any sunscreen, apply generously and reapply regularly.

Protection: 9.6Feel: 9.2Water resistance: 8.8Value: 8.4

Pros

Very high broad-spectrum protection
Lightweight, non-greasy
Good under make-up

Cons

Pricier than basics
Needs regular reapplication

Check price on Amazon≈ £20

Best long-lasting

Ultrasun Family SPF30

8.8A superb runner-up.

Ultrasun's once-a-day formula is designed to keep protecting through the day with a single morning application, handy for busy families (though reapplication after swimming is still wise). It is expensive, but the convenience and protection are excellent.

Protection: 9.0Feel: 8.8Water resistance: 9.2Value: 8.4

Pros

Long-lasting formula
Water resistant
Non-greasy finish

Cons

Expensive
Still reapply after swimming

Check price on Amazon≈ £22

Best value

Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV

8.7Rounds out our top three.

Garnier's Super UV cream delivers strong SPF50+ protection in a light, fast-absorbing formula at a very friendly price, superb everyday value. The scent is noticeable, but the protection and value are excellent.

Protection: 9.0Feel: 8.8Water resistance: 8.6Value: 9.4

Pros

High protection cheaply
Light and fast-absorbing
Widely available

Cons

Noticeable fragrance
Reapply often

Check price on Amazon≈ £8

Best water-resistant

Riemann P20 SPF50

8.7A standout in the upper half.

Riemann P20 is a long-lasting, highly water-resistant sunscreen popular for swimming and sport, keeping protection through activity. It feels slightly oily on application, but the water resistance and staying power are excellent.

Protection: 9.0Feel: 8.4Water resistance: 9.6Value: 8.6

Pros

Excellent water resistance
Long-lasting
Great for sport

Cons

Slightly oily on application
Needs time to dry

Check price on Amazon≈ £18

Best mineral

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral SPF30

8.6A well-rounded mid-table pick.

CeraVe's mineral sunscreen uses zinc and titanium filters with hydrating ceramides, a gentle option for sensitive or reactive skin. It can leave a slight white cast, but the gentleness and hydration are excellent.

Protection: 8.8Feel: 8.6Water resistance: 8.6Value: 8.8

Pros

Gentle mineral filters
Hydrating ceramides
Good for sensitive skin

Cons

Slight white cast
SPF30 not 50

Check price on Amazon≈ £14

Best for active days

Bondi Sands SPF50+ Fragrance Free

8.6Great value in the middle of the pack.

Bondi Sands' fragrance-free SPF50+ lotion offers high, water-resistant protection with a light feel that suits active outdoor days. The bottle is large and good value, and the protection and feel are excellent.

Protection: 9.0Feel: 8.6Water resistance: 9.0Value: 8.8

Pros

High water-resistant protection
Fragrance free
Good value size

Cons

Can feel filmy
Reapply after towelling

Check price on Amazon≈ £13

Best budget body

Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF50

8.5A dependable pick if the price is right.

Nivea's Protect & Moisture SPF50 is a dependable, moisturising body sunscreen at a low price, a sensible value choice for family use. It is a touch thicker to rub in, but the protection and value are excellent.

Protection: 8.8Feel: 8.4Water resistance: 8.6Value: 9.2

Pros

High protection cheaply
Moisturising formula
Widely available

Cons

Thicker to apply
Reapply regularly

Check price on Amazon≈ £6

Best dermatologist value

Altruist Dermatologist SPF50

8.5Solid, if outshone by pricier rivals.

Altruist's dermatologist-developed SPF50 offers high broad-spectrum protection in a light formula at a low price, a cult value pick. It is basic in packaging, but the protection and value are excellent.

Protection: 9.0Feel: 8.6Water resistance: 8.6Value: 9.2

Pros

Dermatologist-developed
High protection value
Light formula

Cons

Basic packaging
Reapply often

Check price on Amazon≈ £8

Best feel and scent

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourish

8.3A budget-friendly option worth a look.

Hawaiian Tropic's mineral lotion is loved for its pleasant scent and silky, nourishing feel that makes daily use enjoyable. It is SPF30 rather than 50, but the feel and value are good.

Protection: 8.4Feel: 9.0Water resistance: 8.2Value: 8.8

Pros

Lovely scent and feel
Nourishing formula
Pleasant to apply

Cons

SPF30 only
Reapply frequently

Check price on Amazon≈ £10

Best cheap holiday

Malibu SPF30 Lotion

8.2Rounds out our top ten.

Malibu's SPF30 lotion is an ultra-cheap holiday sunscreen that covers the basics of protection for occasional sun. It is basic and needs frequent reapplication, but for the money it does the job.

Protection: 8.2Feel: 8.2Water resistance: 8.0Value: 9.2

Pros

Very cheap
Fine for occasional use
Light lotion

Cons

SPF30 only
Reapply very often

Check price on Amazon≈ £4

Frequently asked questions

What's the best of the sun cream in 2026?

Our top overall pick is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400, which leads on our combined score for performance, value and features. The Ultrasun Family SPF30 and Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV are excellent alternatives depending on budget and needs.

How did we choose these?

We weight performance, value, build quality and features, drawing on hands-on use and independent testing. See the methodology box above for the full breakdown.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and change frequently. Click through to Amazon for the current price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best sun cream without overthinking it, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ £20

Our top picks at a glance

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400

Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV

Bondi Sands SPF50+ Fragrance Free

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How we ranked these sun cream

At a glance: top 10 compared

The full ranking

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400

Pros

Cons

Ultrasun Family SPF30

Pros

Cons

Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV

Pros

Cons

Riemann P20 SPF50

Pros

Cons

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral SPF30

Pros

Cons

Bondi Sands SPF50+ Fragrance Free

Pros

Cons

Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF50

Pros

Cons

Altruist Dermatologist SPF50

Pros

Cons

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourish

Pros

Cons

Malibu SPF30 Lotion

Pros

Cons

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

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