12 best body sunscreens for UV protection, tested by a beauty editor

Body sun cream is essential for protecting your skin. Whether you’re jetting off on holiday or particularly sensitive to the sun's rays, it’s crucial to apply sunscreen all over your body and your face (we’ve reviewed the best face sunscreens, too). Swimming pools, seawater, or simply sweating can prevent your sun cream from working effectively, but reapplying a greasy sun cream every few hours can become a little tedious.

Fortunately, sunscreen formulas have advanced significantly in recent years, so you don’t have to endure oily or heavy-feeling body SPF anymore. Nowadays, there are plenty of highly effective options that glide on like a lightweight body lotion. Many provide hydration, nourishment, and some even help diminish hyperpigmentation.

One thing worth noting that experts typically agree on is that you should be wearing a minimum of SPF30 on your body. Ideally, you’ll be topping it up every couple of hours, which is even more crucial if you’ve been swimming. You also need to apply about six to eight teaspoons worth of product to ensure you’re getting adequate protection, but there’s no such thing as applying too much, so, if in doubt, slather on more.

But with so many sun creams available – and so many options feeling sticky and uncomfortable – it can be hard to know which you should buy. That’s why I tested the best body sun creams to help you prevent sunburn. My favourite of the bunch is the Ultrasun extreme SPF50 (£20.16, Amazon.co.uk), but there are plenty of other formulas that impressed during testing, too. Read on to find out more...

How I tested

Each of these body sunscreens has been put through its paces during a holiday to Menorca and UK heatwaves. As an SPF-obsessive, I regularly top up my sun protection throughout the day, taking note of the following:

• Application: Is it an oil that glides across the skin; a greasy, runny consistency; or a stiff, unworkable texture?
• Absorption: Does the sunscreen sit on the skin for five minutes before losing its white cast or does it instantly sink in? I aimed to avoid SPFs that left me feeling weighed down or sticky.
• Scent: I considered whether the scents were pleasant, distinctive, or long-lasting.
• Reapplication: I checked to see if the formulas pilled when reapplied throughout the day.
• Value: I explored whether results were good enough to justify each sun cream’s price point.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

The Independent’s product reviews section, IndyBest, employs knowledgeable reviewers to test products as you would use them in real life, to bring you an impartial list of the very best.

Lucy Partington is a beauty writer who has worked in the cosmetics industry for more than 10 years. She’s tested everything from cleansing oils to the best IPL machines. She even wrote our guide to the best face sunscreens and has garnered experience speaking to dermatologists. So, she knows the ingredients to seek out (and avoid) for year-round protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

The best body sunscreens for 2025 are:

• Best overall – Ultrasun extreme SPF50: £20.16, Amazon.co.uk
• Best budget buy – Hawaiian Tropic hydrating protection sunscreen lotion SPF50: £7.50, Amazon.co.uk
• Best spray-on formula – Sun Bum original SPF50 sunscreen spray: £17.85, Amazon.co.uk
• Best for sensitive skin – E45 sun body lotion for sensitive skin SPF50+: £13.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best for hydration – Bondi Sands hydra UV protect SPF50+: £8.20, Amazon.co.uk