The best sunscreen to buy for summer 2016
After seeing all those bright red faces and peeling shoulders on the school run this week, it's obvious to everyone just how vital sun protection is.
But with so many new SPF-laden creams and concoctions on the market every year, it can be hard to keep up.
Are all these new products really necessary?
"Ultimately, we create product variations as part of our focus on encouraging everyone to be responsible in the sun," explains Abi Cleeve, MD at Ultrasun UK.
"Product innovation is first and foremost about delivering protection, but also additional skincare benefits.
"We've been able to respond specifically to our customer requests: targeted protection for hands and eyes, a tinted body option, higher SPF in our popular Glimmer and Tinted Face formulas... We've delivered everything on their wish list!"
And they're not the only ones - this summer sees a bumper crop of launches, meaning the days of battling with a bottle of thick, chalky lotion are long gone.
From make-up with benefits, to protective mists, these are the sunscreens to stock up on now, whether you're jetting off somewhere scorching or staying local this summer...
TAKE A TINT
Rather than layering a high-factor sunscreen under your make-up, a tinted cream will provide the complexion-boosting coverage and SPF in one.
Ultrasun's new SPF50 Tinted Face formula is available in two shades, and there's a body version too to perk up pasty limbs, while Eucerin's CC Cream has just a hint of colour and SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte UV Defense is formulated with absorbent minerals to eliminate any oiliness.
- Ultrasun Tinted Face SPF50, £28 (www.marksandspencer.com
)
- Eucerin Sun Face CC Cream SPF50, £18 (FeelUnique.com
)
- SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte UV Defense SPF30, currently reduced to £30.95 from £40 (FacetheFuture.co.uk
)
GET RID OF INFRARED
Infrared was the big story in suncare last summer, and now pharmacy brands are making protection from IR-A rays (which target that all-important collagen) more affordable.
LloydsPharmacy has launched the UK's first own-brand sun spray with infrared protection and Superdrug has unveiled Solait Enhanced, to shield against UVA, UVB and IR-A rays.
- Solero SPF15 Moisturising Sun Spray, £7 (www.lloydspharmacy.com
)
- Superdrug Solait Enhanced Sun Lotion SPF30, £8.99 (www.superdrug.com
)
GO AU NATUREL
If you have sensitive skin that often reacts to fragrances or preservatives, or if you'd rather use natural products that are kinder to the environment, there are plenty of sunblock options available.
Lavera's new organic range is infused with sunflower oil and calming calendula, while Organii creams use karanja oil blended with mineral sunscreens to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
Green People's newly reformulated range includes a Sun Lotion with Natural Tan Accelerator which uses carob tree extract to stimulate melanin, so you go golden faster.
- Green People Sun Lotion SPF15 with Natural Tan Accelerator, £20 (www.greenpeople.co.uk
)
- Lavera Organic Sun Spray SPF20, £13.94 (Pravera.co.uk
)
- Organii Sun Milk SPF20, £17.90 (SoOrganic.com
)
ROLL WITH IT
It's not just sunscreen formulas that are getting better - how you apply them is evolving too.
Nivea has introduced its first ever roll-on SPF50 for kids, making it easier to ensure even coverage on little ones' limbs, and you can now get P20 SPF20 and 30 in a continuous spray can, cutting down on the old spritz-and-slather process you have with regular pump sprays.
- Nivea Sun Protect & Moisturise Roll On SPF50, £4.99 (www.superdrug.com
)
- Riemann P20 Once a Day Sun Protection Continuous Spray SPF30, currently reduced to £19.99 from £24.99 (www.boots.com
)
SPRAY AWAY
If you've ever faced the problem of what to do when you want to reapply sunscreen on your face without disrupting your make-up, the answer to your conundrum is here. Bioderma has launched a world first with Eau de Soin, an invisible facial mist with inbuilt SPF30 that can be applied over your make-up.
Vichy's new hydrating mist is available in SPF30 and 50 too, and La Roche-Posay will soon be adding an SPF50+ mist to its ever-popular Anthelios range.
- Bioderma Hydrabio Eau de Soin SPF30, £9 (www.boots.com
)
- Vichy Ideal Soleil Invisible Hydrating Mist SPF50, currently reduced to £14 from £16.50 (Escentual.com
)
- La Roche-Posay Invisible Face Mist SPF50+, £9.50 (available July; www.boots.com
)
STEAL OF THE WEEK
Buying enough sun cream to last the length of a holiday can be expensive, but the Solait Family Pack, £13.99, Superdrug, represents excellent value for money.
Comprising three levels of SPF protection and a tube of aftersun, the four-pack will keep the whole family protected (www.superdrug.com).
