15 best new body SPFs for all skin types and budgets

Ingeborg van Lotringen

GTG Beauty Director

12 May 2025

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15 best new body SPFs for all skin types and budgets

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Now that (quite a lot) of warmer days have nudged out the cold, grey, wet ones, it’s only natural we start filling our ASOS baskets with bikinis, booking summer holidays, and investing in sun loungers for the garden. But (not to be a Debbie Downer), it’s also the time we should be checking in on our SPF collection, binning any bottles that have passed their best before, and investing in some impressive new sun-protection technology.

With every generation comes a greater understanding of the damaging (and potentially dangerous) effects of the sun, and the importance of applying SPF to exposed areas of skin ( face and body), daily. “The skin is our largest and most visible organ and is dramatically affected by environmental factors such as UV radiation,” confirms consultant dermatologist Dr Maryam Zamani. “Ultraviolet radiation causes inflammation, physical changes to the skin, impaired wound healing, and most importantly, DNA damage that can lead to skin cancer. UV exposure accounts for the majority of visible signs of ageing – wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity.”

Can I use last summer’s sunscreen?

In theory, yes. Generally suncream has a shelf life of up to three years but products also carry an expiry date on them – a symbol that looks like a pot with a number in it – which tells you, in months, how long that product lasts from when opened. However, there are other factors that can degrade the effectiveness of your suncream such as if the bottle has got hot or been kept in the sun. So our advice is its best to use up your suntan lotion on holiday or throughout the summer and then start afresh the following year.

When and how often should I apply it?

Most skin experts agree you should reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen (one that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays), with an SPF30 or above. “Chemical sunscreens need to be applied at least twenty minutes before going outdoors,” says consultant dermatologist and author of The Skincare Bible, Dr Anjali Mahto. “Mineral sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide work as soon as they are applied.” She goes on to advise reapplication every ninety minutes to get the stated protection factor on the bottle, plus reapplying after swimming and sweating.

“I often get asked if it is necessary to wear sunscreen every day, including the winter months,” she adds. “It is true that there is less UVB radiation in the winter in the UK, the main ray that can cause burning. However, as many skin cancers develop due to cumulative UV exposure, it’s worthwhile getting into the habit of wearing sunscreen on exposed sites daily.” If you consider that UVA rays, which are present all year round (even when you can’t see the sun), attack skin cells’ DNA to cause mutations that result in signs of ageing and cancer, you’ll realise how important this advice is.

How much should I apply?

Sunscreen needs to be used on all areas not covered by clothing and as a rough guide, about a teaspoon per body area (one teaspoon for your face, head, and neck, one for each arm, one for each leg, one for your chest and abdomen and one for your back and the back of the neck). “About one-shot-glass-full should be about right for an average-sized adult,” says Mahto. “Don’t forget your ears and the tops of your feet – these are commonly missed sites.”

What’s the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens?

Chemical sunscreens work by converting UV light energy into heat energy and absorbing it, while mineral sun creams (AKA physical) use titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxide to reflect rays away from the skin. Historically, chemical formulas have been preferred for their easily-absorbed, lightweight textures. Mineral formulas, however, are less irritating for people with sensitive skin prone to acne or eczema – the trade-off was the chalky residue they tended to leave behind. Luckily, SPF technology has advanced and formulations improved, meaning many mineral SPFs are now rivalling their chemical counterparts when it comes to their invisible filters (case in point: Dr Sam and Green People, below).

What’s all this buzz about ‘reef safe’ formulas?

Typically, chemical formulas use filters such as oxybenzone and octinoxate to absorb UV rays. But environmental studies suggest these two filters could be harmful to marine life and coral reefs. The list has since been extended to feature eight chemical filters in total; if you’re interested in exactly which, have a look below.

Holland & Barrett is the first retailer to ban chemical sunscreen in their stores, and suncare brands are now busy adding reef-safe formulas to their collections. But be careful before you jump on the bandwagon. There are plenty of chemical filters that have not been found to cause major issues, and mineral filters aren’t actually free from suspicion either, with titanium oxide in particular having been found in a 2014 study to damage marine organisms.

The truth is, nobody is 100 per cent sure whether there are any sun filters that cause no damage at all to the very sensitive coral reefs and other marine life, making ‘reef-safe’ claims more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. ‘Reef-friendly’ can in some cases be closer to the truth; at this point, ‘reef-safe doesn’t actually exist.

If you feel passionate about the subject, do your own research and study ingredient lists independently – or (impractical advice coming up) wear protective swimwear in the sea instead of sunscreen

15 of the best new body SPFs that we rate:

Best for smelling like holiday:

Clarins Youth-Protecting Body Sunscreen SPF50+, £29

Whether you’re slathering this on in a far-flung destination or your local park, the scent alone will make you happy thanks to smelling like summer holidays in a tube. It has a light texture that sinks into the skin without feeling greasy or leaving a residue, and thanks to the inclusion of vitamin E, aloe vera, and Argan oil will moisturise your skin as well as protect it.