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Best Sunscreens 2026: 7 Best Face And Body SPFs To Shop 2026
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One day, someone will invent an injection that means we never have to reapply sunscreen again. But until that day comes, it is a sad and unfortunate truth that sunscreen is a daily skincare essential – and more so in the sunny months than ever.
Despite the undeniable benefits of wearing SPF – it protects against skin cancer, and prevents visible signs of ageing, etc, etc – it is a pretty spenny necessity, which can make it all the more tempting to skip it. Fine, we’ll admit it.
So you need a little extra nudge to stock up on sunscreen this year, that’s completely understandable.
If you’ve not yet stocked up on sunscreen for the season ahead, I’ve made it my job to round up the best tried and tested SPFs.
Keep reading for our suggestion of the best face, sensitive, Korean, and beach-appropriate sunscreens to shop now.
How I tested the best sunscreens
As a shopping writer, I’m constantly bombarded by packages. What an affliction, right? That means I’m always receiving the newest and latest SPFs.
Over the last few months, I’ve been trialling a new SPF every day. I’ve already found the best face sunscreens for sensitive skin, and now I’ve been branching out to find the best overall.
Using a different one on my face weekly, I’ve made sure each sunscreen stands the test of time on the beach, while out and about in a city, without makeup, and with.
I’ve considered price points, whether they’re planet-friendly, if they have a combination of UVA and UVB protection, their SPF rating, the size of the bottle, and sometimes their scent. The best are listed down below.
Best sunscreens to shop now
Best all-round
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that won’t leave a white cast, isn’t greasy, and is sensitive-skin friendly (who isn’t?) this one from La Roche Posay covers all bases. It’s not only formulated with sensitive, rash-prone skin in mind, but uses a combination of long and short-range UVA and UVB technology to keep you ultra protected.
Best value for money
As a sensitive skin girly, I’m more than used to struggling to find sunscreen that’s affordable and won’t leave me covered in an awful rash. Thankfully, Boots has the solution in the form of this face and body sunscreen combo. It genuinely won’t break you out, isn’t too greasy, and most importantly is a steal.
Amazon
Best for kids
If there’s one thing that’s going to convince your kids to wear sunscreen, it’s if it smells like tangerine and vanilla. This SPF 30 zinc formula might leave a little greasy layer on your skin, but it’s water resistant for over an hour, and it’s made from 98% natural ingredients.
Best for the beach
If there was ever a scent that encapsulated summer, it would be Hawaiian Tropic. I don’t know how they’ve done it, but the brand has bottled what it feels like to be on a beach, and the sunscreen is great for that, too. It does leave stains on white clothing, so beware, but the formula comes with hints of shimmer that leave you looking and feeling like you’ve been coated in a ray of sunshine. With factor 50 protection and added hydration, it’s ideal for loading up when you’re by a body of water, and it’s water-resistant.
Best SPF moisturiser for ageing
Okay, hear me out: £92 is a lot to ask you to spend on a moisturiser. But if you’re really serious about a two in one SPF moisturiser that feels good, and keeps you protected, this is it. Not only is the packaging truly luxurious, but it also smells delightful, and most importantly uses real science to back up its age-defence properties. Using Nobel Prize-inspired technology, it has been clinically proven to protect against collagen degradation and inflammation. Plus, it won’t pill under makeup and doesn’t leave a white cast, so what more could you want?
Best organic sunscreen
Of course you want a sunscreen that looks after you, but it should look after the planet, too. At least, that’s what Green People thinks, as its formulas are made from entirely natural and organic ingredients, meaning it’s friendly on sensitive skin. This one is scentless, invisible, and has a boost of B5 to leave your skin feeling hydrated – all without any oiliness.
Best Korean face sunscreen
I’ve recently discovered there’s a reason Korean skincare has taken off in the last few years: it’s really fucking good. This SPF 50 from Laneige is completely invisible and lightweight, and absorbs faster than you can say ‘protection’, making it ideal for wearing under makeup.
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