Not too long ago, supermarket sunscreen was something you bought as an absolute last resort. These days, however, own-brand SPFs are increasingly sophisticated, promising invisible finishes, anti-ageing ingredients and even skincare benefits at a fraction of the price of premium brands.
As someone who tests beauty products for a living, I’m generally less interested in the big marketing claims than I am in whether a sunscreen actually feels good enough to wear every day. And since it is important to be motivated to wear it daily, the best sunscreen isn’t necessarily the most expensive one; for me it’s the one you’ll apply generously and apply (and reapply) regularly.
To test my theory, I tried five popular options from Lidl, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Boots. I looked at how they felt on the skin, how quickly they absorbed, whether they left a white cast, how they smelled, how comfortable they were to wear during sport and in hot weather and, crucially, whether they made me want to keep using them. Here’s how I found them:
Body
Asda Protect by High SPF50 Cooling Clear Sun Mist
