These Body Sunscreens Are So Good, You'll Want to Start Applying Them Now

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The weather is getting warmer and I'm off on holiday soon, so I've been sorting through my very large collection of sun creams to make sure that I'm well prepared. You see, as a beauty editor, I take sun protection very seriously. I've spoken to enough dermatologists to know just how important SPF is, and here atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK we are always covering important topics such as how to apply sunscreen in order to care for your skin.

From the best facial SPFs to the best moisturisers with SPF and even the best sunscreen sticks, we have so many product recommendations, but today I want to talk all about body sunscreen. I feel like this product category often gets overlooked, but protecting the skin on your body from the sun's harmful rays is just as important as protecting the skin on your face.

That's why I've been speaking to the experts all about what things to look out for before investing in an effective body sunscreen, and I've even been putting some of the most popular formulas to the test to see how I get on. Interested to know more? Just keep on scrolling...

@emmahoareau in a bikini on the beach

(Image credit: @emmahoareau)

What's the Difference Between Body Sunscreen and Facial Sunscreen?

One thing I am always so curious about is the difference in formula between sunscreen for your body and sunscreen for your face. "Largely, when we consider body SPF, we are applying it in sunny conditions and quite often putting it through its paces with swimming pool water, sea water, sweating and towel rubbing," says Dr Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist for La Roche-Posay. "We want robust protection against UVB and UVA, and we want to make sure that this protection is photostable and ideally resistant to water and sweat."

However, when it comes to facial sunscreen, our wants and needs are a little different. As explained by Dr Hextall, the skin on our face can be more sensitive than the skin on our body, so you might not want to use the same SPF formulation for both areas. You also want to choose an SPF that sits well under makeup and doesn't block pores, which is why many brands have designed SPF products specifically for the facial area.

"[Finally], a facial sunscreen needs to not only be effective against UVB and UVA, but ideally against longer wavelengths that our facial skin is exposed to every day," says Dr Hextall. "Longer wavelengths, such as UVA-1 and pollution, work together to damage our skin, including our collagen, leading to fine lines and a loss of firmness. It is these day-to-day wavelengths that are equally as important as the typical summer day’s UVB that we need to protect against."

@tylynnnguyen taking a selfie in the sunshine

(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

What to Look Out for in a Good Body Sunscreen

So, how do you choose a good body sunscreen? This will largely be down to personal preference, such as the formula or scent, but there are some things that Dr Hextall recommends looking out for. "I would look for ease of application as a very important first step," she says. "If a body sunscreen is greasy or has a thicker texture that is hard to apply, it will never be applied in the amount that is needed for optimal UV protection.

"The SPF needs to be photostable and ideally water resistant," she adds. "I look for excellent broad-spectrum protection against UVB and UVA and longer wavelengths, too."

Although sprays may seem more convenient, Dr Hextall says that they are more likely to miss areas on the skin, so she advises using these products for top-ups after two layers of cream have been applied.

Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, testing the best body sunscreens.

(Image credit: @gracelindsay__ forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, testing the best body sunscreens.

How Often Should You Apply Body Sunscreen?

Once you've found the right formula, it's important to make sure that you are applying your sunscreen correctly. While each product will come with its own application advice, I was keen to ask Dr Hextall for her tips. "I always recommend applying two layers to try and create an adequate protective film over the skin," she says. "Good SPFs will tend to be photostable and can last for many hours. That being said, when exposed to sweat, towel rubbing and water, re-application around every two hours is advised for optimal protection.

"I also wish to add other very important steps in UV protection," she says. "Seek shade between 11 am and 3 pm and wear protective clothing, including hats and UV eye protection. No SPF is a substitute for this."

So, now that you know all that, keep on scrolling for the best body sunscreens on the market, tested and confirmed by an editor.

The Best Body Sunscreens to Try in 2025

1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sun Protection SPF50+ Milk

2. Caudalie Vinosun Very High Protection Water SPF50

3. Coola Body Lotion SPF50 Guava Mango

4. Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Spray SPF50

5. Dior Solar The Protective Creme SPF50

6. E45 Sun Body Cream Spray for Sensitive Skin

7. Hawaiian Tropic Hydrating Protection Sunscreen Lotion SPF50

8. Nivea Sun Protect Moisture Sun Cream Lotion SPF50+

9. Lancaster Sun Beauty Sun Protective Water SPF50

Shop More Popular Body Sunscreens

Grace Lindsay
Grace Lindsay
Junior Beauty Editor

Grace Lindsay is the junior beauty editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.

AsBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK's junior beauty editor, she covers everything from Wholesale Replica Bag hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.

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