Sun cream deals

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  Sun cream from £2.29 for 5* UVA protection

  British Skin Foundation says they check out on skin safety

  Expired

  In warmer weather even in the UK you should be wearing sun cream. Staying safe needn’t cost the earth though, if you’re willing to ditch the brands you know, you could downshift and save with sun cream from £2.39 WITHOUT giving up 5* UVA protection.

  It sounds too good to be true, yet we've found a number of products available for £2.29-£5 rather than the usual £6-£12 branded products'll set you back. We've contacted skincare experts to find out how safe the lotions are.
  

  Are they safe?

  We've been in touch with the British Skin Foundation (BSF) charity and the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) trade body. Both say people shouldn't be put off by low prices, as long as they check packaging for:

  • The UVA rating. This tells you how much protection the product is giving you from harmful long-wave ultra-violet UVA rays. Some bottles have a star rating (the BSF recommends four or more stars) - while others don't, they should at least contain a circle with the letters UVA inside, as this indicates the minimum level of UVA protection. See images below for the logos you should be looking for.
     

  

  • The SPF number. This stands for sun protection factor. The higher the number, the greater the level of protection against harmful medium-wave ultra-violet UVB rays. The label should also tell you whether the product provides "low", "medium", "high" or "very high" protection against UVB. See the CTPA's section on sun protection for more info.
     

  The BSF says: "When choosing a sunscreen look for a high protection SPF (SPF 30 or more) to protect against UVB, and the UVA circle logo and/or 4 or 5 UVA stars to protect against UVA."

  You might be a bit sceptical about cheaper sun cream, we always are too, but we’re trusting that these big companies have done their own independent checks to ensure these sun creams are fully tested and are legit.

  Important. As with any product, if you have sensitive skin it’s important to do a patch test before using any new skin care or hair care product and sun cream is no exception.
  
  Note: Some sun creams can contain chemicals that hurt coral reefs and a few island countries ban them, so if you want to protect the environment and avoid them watch out for ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. You can see the full list of 13 ingredients to avoid on the not-for-profit Haereticus Lab website.

  How long will it last? 

  The period after opening (PAO) number should also be included on the bottle. This will be displayed as an "open jar" symbol with a number inside indicating how many months the product will be safe for after opening, providing it is stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight (see example below). 

  

  Don't automatically chuck old sun creams away

  Most of the cheap sun creams we found are good to use for at least 12 months from the date of opening, so don't throw away your excess sun cream, check the PAO as it's likely you can use it again the next time you need it.

  Own-brand sun cream for less than £5
  

  At MSE we're always trying to get you to think about downshifting, so we've had a look for the cheapest own-branded sun creams on offer, all under a fiver:

  • Aldi Lacura extra sensitive sun lotion SPF50+, 200ml - £2.29 in store and online at Aldi. Five-star UVA rated.
  • Lidl Cien sun lotion SPF 30, 250ml - £2.39 in store at Lidl.
  • Asda Protect SPF 30, 200ml - £2.39 at Asda. Five-star UVA rated.
    
  • Wilko Suncare SPF 50, 200ml - £3.50 at Wilko*. Five-star UVA rated.
  • Boots Soltan kids SPF 50, 200ml - £4 at Boots*. Five-star UVA rated.
  • Superdrug Solait SPF 30, 200ml - £4.99 at Superdrug. Five-star UVA rated.
     

  Other low-cost branded sun creams

  For those who just can't ditch a brand they know and trust, we've also compiled a list of the cheapest we've found some of the most popular products. When they are cheap, we found quite often prices elsewhere are only a few pence more.

  It's worth remembering that sprays and special formulations (eg, clear/coloured/sensitive) usually cost more, so check to see if your chosen cream could be cheaper in a different bottle.

  • Garnier Ambre Solaire protection lotion SPF 50, 200ml - £5 at Boots* and Tesco* (next cheapest we found, £8 at Asda).
  • Garnier Ambre Solaire ultra-hydrating sun cream SPF 30, 200ml - £5 at Boots* and Tesco* (next cheapest we found, £8 at Asda).
  • Nivea Sun kids moisturising sun spray SPF 30, 200ml - £5 at Asda and Tesco* (next cheapest we found, £6 at Boots).
  • Piz Buin allergy sun-sensitive skin spray SPF 30, 200ml - £3.99 at B&M Bargains (next cheapest we found, £7.99 at Superdrug).
  • Nivea Sun moisturising kids sun lotion SPF 50, 200ml - £5 at Asda and Tesco* (next cheapest we found, £6 at Boots).
     

  £1 sun creams

  We've not been able to get out and do the checks we'd normally do to find £1 sun creams, so the below might be slightly different to what you can find - so make sure you do the checks above. It's also worth noting these bottles are slightly smaller (40ml-120ml) than some of the better-known brands (norm 200ml). They may not be brands that you recognise, but all have the UVA rating symbol to indicate they meet at least the minimum level of UVA protection.

  Poundland (find your nearest)

  It stocks a range from a brand called Anovia Tropical Sun, which should be available in its 400+ stores for £1.

  Savers (find your nearest)

  It stocks a range from a brand called EAD sunscreen, which should be available in its 230+ stores at £1, or £1.99 for a slightly larger bottle.

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• 

  £1 sun cream deals

  And British Skin Foundation says they check out on skin safety

  Expired

  It's scorching out there and you should be wearing sun cream in the UK as well as abroad. Are you a loyal brand user or would you be willing to save money with sun cream for £1? It sounds too good to be true, yet we've found a number of products available for £1 rather than the usual £6-£12. We've contacted skincare experts to find out how safe the lotions are.

  Are they safe?

  We've been in touch with the British Skin Foundation (BSF) charity and the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) trade body. Both say people shouldn't be put off by low prices, as long as they check packaging for:

  • The UVA rating. This tells you how much protection the product is giving you from harmful ultra-violet (UVA) rays. Some bottles have a star rating (the BSF recommends four or more stars) - while others don't, they should at least contain a circle with the letters UVA inside, as this indicates the minimum level of UVA protection. See images below for the logos you should be looking for.

  

  • The SPF number. This stands for sun protection factor. The higher the number, the greater the level of protection against UVB rays. The label should also tell you whether the product provides "low", "medium", "high" or "very high" protection against UVB. See the CTPA's section on sun protection for more info.

  The BSF says: "It is not the price that indicates the level of protection the sunscreen offers, but the SPF rating and the UVA rating. We recommend people use a sunscreen with a high SPF 30+."

  You might be a bit sceptical about sun cream for £1, we always are too, but we’re trusting that these big companies such as Savers (owned by Superdrug) have done their own independent checks to ensure these sun creams are fully tested and are legit.

  How long will it last? 

  The period after opening (PAO) number should also be included on the bottle. This will be displayed as an "open jar" symbol with a number inside indicating how many months the product will be safe for after opening, providing it is stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight (see example below). 

  

  Don't automatically chuck old sun creams away

  Most of the cheap sun creams we found are good to use for at least 12 months from the date of opening, so don't throw away your excess sun cream after your holiday, check the PAO as it's likely you can use it again on your next trip.

  £1 sun creams 

  We checked two of the big pound store chains and scoured the high street. The products we found may not be the same as the ones you find, so make sure you do the checks above. It's also worth noting these bottles are slightly smaller (40ml-120ml) than some of the better-known brands (norm 200ml). They may not be brands that you recognise, but all have an EU compliant UVA rating and have a PAO of 12 months.
  
  Poundworld

  It stocks a range from a brand called Sun Tropic, which should be available in most of its 180+ stores for £1, but is also available online, delivery's £3.95. We found:

  • Sun Tropic sun lotion SPF 15, 100ml (next cheapest £3.50 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)
  • Sun Tropic sun lotion SPF 30, 50ml (next cheapest £3.50 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)
  • Kids' Sun Tropic sun lotion SPF 30, 50ml (next cheapest £3.50 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)

  Poundland

  It stocks a range from a brand called Anovia Tropical Sun, which should be available in its 400+ stores for £1. We found:

  • Tropical Sun lotion SPF 15, 100ml (next cheapest £4.95 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)
  • Tropical Sun lotion for kids SPF 30, 65ml (next cheapest £4.95 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)
  • Tropical Sun lotion for sensitive skin SPF 50, 40ml (next cheapest £5.99 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)

  B&M Bargains

  It stocks a range from a brand called EAD sunscreen, which should be available in its 400+ stores at £1. We found:

  • EAD Sunscreen SPF 15, 120ml (next cheapest £3.49 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)
  • EAD Sunscreen SPF 30, 120ml (next cheapest £3.49 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)
  • EAD Sunscreen SPF 45, 120ml (next cheapest £3.49 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)

  Savers

  It also stocks the EAD sunscreen, which should be available in its 230+ stores at £1. We found:

  • EAD Sunscreen SPF 30, 120ml (next cheapest £3.49 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)
  • EAD Sunscreen SPF 45, 120ml (next cheapest £3.49 delivered via a third party Amazon seller)

  Other low-cost branded sun creams

  For those who just can't ditch a brand they know and trust, we've also compiled a list of the best deals we've found on some of the most popular products, including discount retailers B&M Bargains and Home Bargains, as well as items in promotions at supermarkets and Superdrug.

  It's worth remembering that sprays and special formulations (eg, clear/coloured/sensitive) usually cost more, so check to see if your chosen cream could be cheaper in a different bottle.

  • Garnier Ambre Solaire moisturising sun protection spray SPF 30, 200ml - £6.49 at Superdrug* (next cheapest: £6.50 at Boots).
  • Garnier Ambre Solaire moisturising sun milk SPF 50, 200ml - £6.49 at Superdrug* (next cheapest: £6.50 at Boots).
  • Piz Buin 1-day-long lotion SPF 30, 100ml - £4.33 at Tesco* in 3for2 offer until Fri 28 Aug, norm £6.50ea (next cheapest: £4.99 at B&M Bargains).
  • Nivea Sun moisturising sun lotion spray SPF 30, 200ml - £3.99 at Home Bargains in store, online delivery 50p and Savers (next cheapest: £4.50ea at Asda in two for £9 offer, norm £7.48ea).
  • Nivea Sun moisturising sun lotion SPF 50, 200ml - £4.50ea at Asda* in 2 for £9 offer, norm £5ea (next cheapest: £6.49 at Superdrug).

  Buy suncream, get freebies

  If you still can't decide what to go for, Savers is offering a free Nivea beach ball with the purchase of any two Nivea sun products. We tried this with Nivea sun SPF30 lipbalm for £1.69 and got the free beach ball, but stock's limited so it's not worth a special trip.

  Home Bargains is offering a set of Malibu 400ml SPF 15 sun cream and 400ml aftersun for £4.99 with a free fold-up frisbee.

  Buy before you fly

  Research from the Post Office suggests sun cream is generally cheaper in the UK than abroad, so it's best to buy before your holiday. Don't forget though, if you're flying, you can only carry a maximum of 100ml in your hand luggage, unless you buy in shops after you've gone through check-in. You may find items will be taken off you if transferring flights, so be sure to check before flying if you're unsure.

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