Beauty

Best sunscreens for face and body: top-rated options 2026 

24 April 2026 • 5 min read

Spring is officially here and the sun is finally coming out to play! So, you might be thinking it’s time to get serious about sunscreen and to an extent you’d be right, but it’s not just in the sunny months that you should be thinking about sunscreen – it’s important to make sure your skin is properly protected all year round.

Clouds, rain and snow don’t block out harmful UV rays, so even in the UK we should be applying a lightweight layer of SPF sunscreen everyday to protect our skin and even help prevent premature aging.

No single sunscreen is going to work for everyone, so it’s important that you pick the one that’ll best protect your skin and support your lifestyle. So, come with us as we take you through everything you need to know about sunscreen, what works for different skin types and what to look for to pick the perfect one for you!

How to choose the best sunscreen

It’s often said that the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear, and while that’s true there’s a bit more to it than that! Finding the right sunscreen for your skin type is super important and to do just that there are a couple of key things you’ll want to look out for – the most important being SPF level and the type of rays it protects against.

The first thing you’ll likely notice on your sunscreen packaging is the SPF level, so we’ll start there. The SPF (or Sun Protection Factor) level measures how well a sunscreen will help shield your skin from UVB rays. This is super important as UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and can contribute to skin damage. In simple terms, the higher the SPF number the more UVB protection the sunscreen offers.

But SPF protection alone isn’t enough, there are also UVA rays to think about. UVA rays travel deep into the skin and are responsible for premature ageing and long-term skin damage. To make sure you’re fully protected against both UVA and UVB rays, it’s recommended you choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.

You’ll also want to consider which type of sunscreen (mineral or chemical) works best for you, as each have their own benefits that suit different skin types and lifestyles – but don’t worry, we’ll go into that in more detail a little later on.

Best sunscreen for face

After for the perfect SPF for your face? Look for lightweight textures, quick-absorbing formulas and smooth finishes that sit perfectly under makeup and really let your skin shine.

Best sunscreen for body

Whether you’re heading on holiday or supporting your skin at home, you’ll want a sunscreen that protects your whole body from sun damage. There’s plenty on offer with SPF options available in creams, sprays and lotions, you’ll find the perfect sunscreen to suit your needs.

Best sunscreen for kids

Make sure they’re properly protected from UV rays with gentle sunscreens designed with their skin in mind. Keep an eye out for quick-drying and water-resistant formulas that won’t interrupt their play time too much.

Best sunscreen for sensitive skin

Suffering from sensitive skin? Look out for fragrance-free and alcohol-free sunscreens that are packed with skin nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E and B5.

Mineral vs chemical sunscreen

When looking for a new sunscreen you might notice that there are two different types you can pick from – mineral (or physical) and chemical. Both provide protection from UV rays but work differently, with each having their own benefits and being better suited to certain skin types.

Mineral sunscreen (also known as physical sunscreen) is formulated with natural minerals, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that create a protective barrier on the skin to reflect UV rays before they penetrate the skin.

As the name suggests, Chemical sunscreen contains chemical ingredients, such as oxybenzone, avobenzone and octisalate, which protect the skin by absorbing UV rays like a sponge. The UV light is absorbed into the skin and then turned into heat by these chemicals, before being released from the skin without harm.

What SPF should you use?

When it comes to picking the right level of daily SPF protection for you, it really depends on a couple of things – your skin type, the environment you’re in and the activity you’re engaging in.

When applied correctly, SPF 30 can help block approximately 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 sunscreen offers a slightly higher level of protection, blocking about 98% of UVB radiation. Although that percentage difference sounds small, it’s actually pretty significant in terms of protection.

For fairer skin tones, you’ll want to go for SPF 50 or higher as lower melanin levels make fair skin more prone to burning.

For darker skin tones, using SPF 30 daily is usually sufficient as the higher melanin in darker skin offers some natural UV defence.

Generally, SPF 30 is suitable for most daily activities but if you’re likely to be outside for long periods of time or the weather is particularly hot, you’ll want to opt for SPF 50 or higher.

How to apply sunscreen properly

It’s so important to make sure you’re applying your sunscreen correctly. After all, even the best sunscreen won’t work if it isn’t applied properly!

So, just how much sunscreen should you be using anyway? Well, to cover the entire body, most adults need to use 30ml of sunscreen – that’s enough to fill a shot glass. For the face, roughly a 1-inch blob of lotion should be enough. Just spray into the palm of your hand and gently tap it into the skin, rather than spreading it.

It’s important to remember you should always apply your sunscreen as the last step in your skincare routine but before you apply your makeup.

A few important things to remember to keep you protected all day long:

· Apply sunscreen generously and evenly.
· Don’t overlook easily missed spots like ears, the tops of the feet and the back of the neck.
· Apply 15-20 minutes before stepping outside to give sunscreen time to fully absorb and activate.
· Reapply every two hours or immediately after drying off from being in the water.
· Pair with protective clothing – think hats, sunglasses and rash vests!

Shop sunscreen at Very

Now you’re all set up with the perfect SPF to deliver a daily dose of UV protection, so why not find a sunny spot, lay back and enjoy some much needed vitamin D? Just make sure you set a timer – after all, you don’t want to forget that all important reapplication!

In the meantime, why not head over to our skincare section to really get your complexion glowing, or check out our summer shop and get your hands on everything you need to prepare for the sunny season ahead?

FAQs