Mineral sunscreens
82out of 100
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide formulations, scored on protection, dose delivery, wear and tolerability.
Read the reviewWhat this guide does differently
Most sunscreen advice ranks products and earns commission when you buy one. We score categories of formulation, so there is nothing to sell you and nothing for a manufacturer to buy. The trade off is that we will never tell you which bottle to pick up. The benefit is that everything here stays true when the products on the shelf change.
8Category reviews, each scored out of 100
6Explainers on standards and evidence
0Brands named anywhere on this site
£0Taken from manufacturers, ever
The scoring method in five parts
Every category is marked against the same five criteria. Dose delivery carries as much weight as filter chemistry, because a sunscreen you apply thinly protects thinly.
1
Broad spectrum evidence
Does the filter system cover UVB and long UVA, and is that demonstrated rather than asserted? Worth 25 points.
2
Realistic dose delivery
How much product actually reaches skin, against the laboratory dose the SPF was measured at? Worth 25 points.
3
Wear and reapplication
Does the film survive water, sweat, friction and time, and does the format invite topping up? Worth 20 points.
4
Tolerability
Recorded rates of irritant, allergic and photoallergic reaction for the filter class and its usual companions. Worth 15 points.
5
Label transparency
Does the format usually tell you the filters, the UVA rating, the water resistance claim and the period after opening? Worth 15 points.
The eight category reviews
Each one scores the formulation types inside it, lists the ingredients by INCI name and answers the questions people actually ask.
Chemical sunscreens
88out of 100
Organic filter systems, from modern broad spectrum fluids to older avobenzone lotions and alcohol sprays.
Read the reviewSensitive skin
84out of 100
Which formulation types cause the fewest reactions, and which ingredients drive most sunscreen complaints.
Read the reviewWater resistant
85out of 100
What water resistant and very water resistant are actually tested to, and which textures survive real swimming.
Read the reviewDeep skin tones
86out of 100
Cast, visible light protection and pigmentation, scored across the formats that suit melanin rich skin.
Read the reviewUnder makeup
83out of 100
Layering, pilling, dose and the reapplication problem, scored across every face SPF format.
Read the reviewKids sunscreen
84out of 100
Fragrance free creams, kids' lotions, roll-ons and sprays scored on what really stays on a child.
Read the reviewSport and outdoor
82out of 100
Sweat, friction, altitude and long exposure days scored across the formats built for movement.
Read the reviewHow to read an SPF label
Six things on a UK sunscreen pack carry real information. Everything else on the front is presentation. This is the whole primer, and it takes about a minute.
| What you see on the pack | What it actually tells you |
|---|---|
| SPF 30 or 50 | The number rates UVB protection only, measured at a laboratory dose thicker than almost anyone applies. Choose 30 for daily UK wear and 50 for strong sun, holidays and children. |
| UVA in a circle | This mark means UVA protection is at least a third of the labelled SPF, tested separately. If there is no circled mark and no star rating, you know nothing about UVA performance. |
| Four or five stars | The UK star system rates UVA protection relative to UVB. Stars describe balance, SPF describes magnitude, so you need to read both together. |
| Water resistant | A tested claim: at least half the SPF retained after two twenty minute immersions. Very water resistant means four immersions. Towel drying removes the film regardless. |
| The open jar symbol | The period after opening, in months, counted from the day you first opened it rather than the day you bought it. Twelve months is typical for a sunscreen. |
| The filter names | UV filters are declared by INCI name in the ingredient list. This is the only part of the pack that tells you what is doing the protecting, and it is on the back. |
The fastest check in the aisle. SPF 30 or 50, then look for the UVA in a circle mark or four to five stars. If neither is there, you have no information at all about UVA protection, and UVA is what drives ageing and pigmentation. Our UVA and UVB explainer covers the ratings in full.
Understand the standards
Six explainers on how sun protection is tested, rated and regulated in the UK.
How SPF is tested
The laboratory method behind the number, the dose it assumes, and why real world protection is lower.
UVA, UVB and PA
Two parts of the spectrum, three rating systems, and how to compare a UK label with an imported one.
How much to apply
Six to seven teaspoons for a body, two fingers for a face, and what halving the dose really costs.
Does sunscreen expire
Period after opening symbols, heat damage, separation and when a half used bottle is no longer protecting you.
Reef safe claims
An unregulated phrase, a contested body of research, and a set of real destination restrictions.
Vitamin D
The trade off that mostly is not one, and why UK latitude matters more than your sunscreen.
100our pledge
No brand pays for placement
There is no placement to pay for. We do not name products, take affiliate commission, accept sponsored content or run sunscreen advertising. Scores rate formulation categories against published standards and public evidence, and they are the same whether a manufacturer likes them or not.
Updates when the evidence moves
Testing standards get revised, filter permissions change and guidance is updated. We send a short email when a review changes to reflect it.
Occasional updates when standards, permitted filters or public guidance change. No product recommendations, because we do not make any.