Need a new sunscreen? Alice reveals her 2025 top picks

Whether you are off on a late summer holiday or looking for your next daily SPF, Alice has been busy trying and reviewing her favourite sunscreens for 2025. Not greasy, lightweight, fast, effective coverage … and all at least half the price of some of the sky-high price tags we’ve noticed of late, here are her top picks…

1. Heliocare 360 A-R Emulsion SPF50, £32.99, SHOP NOW

Out of all the fabulous sunscreens from Heliocare’s doctor-backed brand, this one is my favourite. Everything you want in a sunscreen, it is a light fluid, helps with anti-redness and just does an all-round brilliant job.

2. Altruist Moisturising Fluid SPF 50, £8.14, SHOP NOW

You probably know that I’m a long-term fan of the Altruist SPF 50, which was created by consultant dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr Andrew Birnie – and the price point means it is cheap as chips as well as really good! If you are on the look out for something a little more moisturising, you can also try the newer Moisturising Fluid SPF 50 version.

3. Sensilis Photocorrection [AR 50+], £35, SHOP NOW

For a sunscreen that feels fabulous on your face (so it becomes less of a chore to wear on the daily), try this one from Sensilis. It is hydrating, nourishing and firming. Plus, the formula is also anti-redness, so a great choice for sensitive complexions.

4. La Roche Posay Anthelios UVAir 50+, £20, SHOP NOW

An old favourite and still one of the best. La Roche Posay has a brilliant range of sunscreens that lots of beauty editors trust and this one is designed to be super lightweight and non greasy, despite its high factor.

5. HydroPeptide Solar Dew, £58, SHOP NOW

Think mineral sunscreens are thick and gloopy? Think again. It might look rather white straight out of the packaging but this one from HydroPeptide sinks in beautifully and actually does deliver on its claim for a smooth, invisible finish on your skin (at least for my lighter skin tone). That’s worth paying a little extra for.

6. Paula’s Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50, £36.80, SHOP NOW

Your supercharged SPF protection. This moisturising product from Paula’s Choice contains antioxidant vitamin C as well as factor 50, boosting your overall skin health in one simple step.

7. Albus & Flora Lip Shield SPF 30, £16, SHOP NOW

I’ve loved this product for a long time and it is feels just like a nourishing lip balm because it contains beautiful hydrating ingredients. Let this be your reminder never to forget your lips when it comes to your daily SPF. The skin on your lips is particularly thin after all!

8. Sensilis Body Spray SPF 50, £28, SHOP NOW

A great quick-application facial SPF mist. I don’t always love mists (because they’re too lightweight, I feel they’re not going to give proper coverage) but this one actually feels very thorough, giving your skin a really good coating, so I feel suitably protected.

9. Skinceuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defence Sunscreen SPF 50, £52, SHOP NOW

If you find that you are more inclined to actually wear your sunscreen because you invested a bit more money in it, this more luxurious feeling one certainly won’t leave you disappointed. Trusted by many practitioners as well as beauty experts, it feels much more like skincare than traditional SPF.

10. Naked Sundays CabanaClear Water Gel Serum, £30, SHOP NOW

With a name including terms like ‘water’, ‘gel’ and ‘serum’ you would expect this SPF to be super lightweight and refreshing – and it totally is. It also disappears on my skin, meaning it would suit anyone who doesn’t want any look of creaminess at all.

11. HydroPeptide Solar Defence Body Spray, £42, SHOP NOW

Another great option for your body is the HydroPeptide Solar Body Spray. Easy to apply with great coverage, the formula is also water resistant and filled with botanical antioxidant ingredients to nourish and soothe sun-exposed skin.

12. Colorescience Unforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50, £44, SHOP NOW 

You’ll be pretty amazed when you see this go on. It is an SPF 50 with a skin tint (available in six shades) that transforms from white to match your skin tone as you rub it in, giving you a little bit of extra coverage.

13. Skincycles Lumina Shield, £65, SHOP NOW

I’ve definitely recommended this one before and for good reason, even with the higher price point than others on this list. It is such an elegant product, sinking in beautifully like a very high-class moisturiser and with a lovely finish on your skin.

Discover more brilliant sunscreens and information about the skin protection you need over at The Tweakments Guide shop.